Lupine
Publishers- Environmental and Soil Science Journal
Abstract
Maize and cotton are two crops that are highly produced in North
Benin. Their production has advantages as well as constraints.
These advantages and constraints are taken into account in the choice of
the producer to cultivate one of them. The objective of
this study is to present, at first, the advantages and constraints that
the producers of Kandi commune face on these two crops. It
also aims to expose the producers’ preference according to the
advantages and constraints listed by them. To achieve this, the data
were collected in two districts of the municipality over a period of two
weeks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifty
producers through an interview guide. Data processing was carried out
using a dual approach (quantitative and qualitative) which,
on the one hand, consisted in carrying out statistical tests and, on the
other hand, analyzing the statements collected during the data
collection. The main statistical test used in this study is Kendall’s
W-concordance test, which has been used to prioritize constraints.
At the end of the analyses, it appears that cotton, just like corn,
enables producers to meet the needs and social development of their
households. On the other hand, the non-organization of the maize sector,
the lack of inputs and the delay in their distribution, maize
prices fluctuation and difficulties in the evacuation of cotton are the
main constraints reported by producers. Despite its lack of
organization and the other constraints to which it is subject, maize
crop is the most preferred. In view of this, it would be appropriate
to consider the organization of the maize sector and the optimization of
the services provided by the organizations in charge of the
cotton sector. This will be beneficial to both production systems and
also to all actors involved.
Introduction
Agriculture is one of the crucial activities that human being
cannot neglect for his survival. It keeps the human species alive
and contributes to its evolution. In Benin, it plays a great role in
strengthening the economy and provide about 75% of jobs [1].
Among all the crops produced in the territory, two prove to be vital
both in the constitution of the national economy and in the fight
for food security: Those are corn and cotton. Known as the main
cash crop in Benin [2] and the engine of the Beninese economy
[3], cotton alone counts for 27% of exports and contributes by 7%
to the national GDP. Its production has not stopped growing over
the last five years. It reached in 2016, a tonnage of 451,000, which
is an increase of more than 70% from the year 2015 [4]. Due to
its multiple outlets, the cotton sector remains the country’s best
organized sector [5]. If cotton receives a lot of attention from the
Beninese government, corn itself does not have such a privilege.
Nevertheless, it is the crop that could be an alternative to cotton
production [6] in northern Benin. It comes second, after cotton as a
subsistence and cash crop [7]. Indeed, its cultivation occupies nearly
70% of the total area devoted to cereals in Benin and represents
about 75% of cereal production [8]. Together with cowpea, cassava
and yam, it forms the staple crops of people’s diet [9]. Studies have
shown that 63.1% of households in Benin consume 7 days out of 7,
maize being the main cereal in the food ration [9]; [10]. Apart from
the aspects raised, corn also has medicinal properties. According
to [11], the corncob is used in combination with other plants to
cure knee and low back pain. Some use it to treat diseases such as
malaria.
Material and Methods
Study Area
The study took place in the municipality of Kandi, county
town of the department of Alibori. Located in the agro ecological
zone of the cotton pan, it is limited by the communes of Malanville
(North), Gogounou (South) Ségbana (East) and Banikoara (West).
It is spread out an area of 3421Km2
and includes ten districts,
sixty-seven villages and fifteen districts. The climate in Kandi is
of Sudanese type characterized by two seasons that follow each
other: The first, rainy from May to October and the second, dry from
November to April. Climate change in sub Saharan Africa does not
leave the Kandi commune on the side-lines. It is worth noting since
a few decades in the commune and its surroundings an early drying
up and a late or sometimes violent arrival of rains. Several studies
carried out in the region have noted this [12-15]. In addition, the
soil found at Kandi is of tropical ferruginous type. The relief is made
up of plateau and one distinguishes by place hills made of granites
and quartzite. As for vegetation, the town has grassy savanna,
shrub and trees with some gallery forests. In terms of agricultural
production, Kandi has a good reputation coming in second place
after Banikoara, the giant cotton supplier in Benin. Apart from this
asset, the municipality is essential in the department in terms of
corn production. The following table gives an idea of the evolution
of these two crops from 2011 to 2016 (Table 1).
Table 1: Production in tons of the last five years.
Analysis of this table shows a peak of cotton and maize
production between 2014 and 2016 with a respective tonnage of
48853.09 and 102240. The respective average production of the
two crops is 362681.86 and 66394.68 tons.
Methodological Approach
Among the ten districts of Kandi commune, only two were
chosen to shelter the study. These are the districts of Angaradébou
and Sonsoro. This choice was made in a participatory way with
the coordinator of the Interprofessional Association of Cotton
Producers. Firstly because of their performance in the production
of both crops within the municipality and secondly because of their
positioning. This choice was made for a wide variation of collected
data and the obtaining of a socio cultural diversity in order to better
touch the realities of the producers of Kandi as a whole. The data was
collected using an interview guide designed to collect qualitative
and quantitative data. The collection took place during the month
of April of the year two thousand and eighteen (2018) and lasted
2 weeks. After an individual interview with five producers, the
questionnaire underwent a slight adjustment. Faced with the unavailability of some farm managers, other people who were
relatively close to them and involved in the farming activities of the
households proved to be able to provide the necessary information
for the study. A total of 25 subjects per district producing maize
and cotton were included in the study. These have been identified
by secretaries of cooperatives who hold leadership positions within
their community. The following Table 2 provides an overview of the
structure of the sample considered in the study.
Table 2: Structure of the study sample.
Data Analysis
The data capture and analysis was carried out exclusively with
SPSS v21.0 32bits software. The data processing was done using
descriptive statistics, speech analysis and Kendall’s W-concordance
test. The descriptive statistics essentially allow to obtain the
frequencies and average of variables characterizing from a social
and demographic point of view the interviewed farmers. The
comments received from producers were analyzed and then used
to model the “benefits and constraints” section. This technique
was chosen inspired by the work of several authors including [16-
18]. The Kendall’s W-concordance test was also used to prioritize
production constraints in order of importance.
Results
Table 3 below summarizes the socio-demographic
characteristics of the producers surveyed in this study. It indicates
that the subjects included in the sample are predominantly male
(90%) with a low representation of women (10%). Ninety-four
per cent of them live entirely depending on agriculture, compared
to six per cent who make it as a secondary activity. Their farming
experience varies from 3 to 40 years with an average of 16.92
years. Compared to the size of farm households in both localities
(13 persons), the average number of farm active Worker (7
approximately) is relatively small. Farmers send their children to
school until they are unable to move on. Sixty percent received
formal education and forty percent got literate in local languages.
Among those who have been literate 22% hold the certificate of
primary school, 10% hold the certificate of secondary school and
2% hold the high school diploma and bachelor’s degree. Anyone
wishing to cultivate cotton is required to belong to a Village
Cooperative of Cotton Producers, this justifies the membership to an
organization unanimously own by the respondents. The average
area of cotton planted is 6.62 ha on an average total area of 15.62
ha. In contrast, the average area of maize grown is 5.69 ha. An
observation of these figures allow to say that the cotton takes with
a small difference, the top on the corn in terms of cultivated area in
the commune. This could be explained by the several constraints
faced by corn producers. Note that these results are quite similar to
those obtained by [19] in their studies in the same commune. able
2: Structure of the study sample ese two crops from 2011 to 2016.
Table 3: Socio-demographic characteristics.
Advantages
Advantages Related to Cotton Production
Cotton plays a major role in the lives of Kandi producers. From
the exchanges held with the 50 people surveyed, it appears that
several benefits are derived from the production of cotton. It allows
heads of households and farms to make investments (buying cattle
for traction, rolling stock, building houses ...), to perform ceremonies
(marriage, baptism, burial ...) and then to meet regular expenses in
their households and farms (schooling, food, expenses and debts of
agricultural campaigns). The Interprofessional Cotton Association
known as ‘’AIC’’ is the structure in charge of the cotton sector
throughout the national territory. It has set in place a mechanism
that allows producers to get inputs on credit before the campaign.
They receive the inputs on credit, use them for production, and
subsequently pay their debts at the time of payment. This approach
is appreciated by the producers because, they lack sufficient
financial means at the time of starting the campaign. Through the
comments transcribed below, two producers support what has
been said above. “The cash of cotton appears for me like a tontine, it
allowed me to buy my bike, to build the house where I live. Thanks
to the cotton I bought a ginning machine that serves me a lot after
the corn harvest. My eldest son is already old enough to marriage. I
need to buy him a motorcycle and prepare for his wedding by next
year. It is on the cash of the cotton that I count to be able to do it.
“ “The cash we get from cotton also allows us to do ceremonies. It
is an obligation for us. In our culture, when someone close to your
family dies, that means that your money is dying too. You cannot
have money hidden somewhere without doing it. It’s like a duty for
us.
Advantages Related to Maize Production
Corn in the first place ensures the food needs of households and
the farm. After production, much of the crop is set aside to allow the
producer, his family and those who serve him to overcome hunger,
one of Maslow’s primary human needs. In the same way, the seeds
used by the producers are taken from the previous crops. Apart from
these two aspects, a great part of the producers have said that corn
helps them financially. In fact, after harvest they reserve a larger
portion for commercial purposes. The main reason behind this,
is to cover regular expenses and household contingencies. These
unforeseen events are usually cases of illness or death. Growing
maize for the farmer is therefore a way to keep his relatives in safe
from the food and financial point of view. The comments collected
on this issue were analyzed and reissued below. “Corn helps us a
lot, that’s what we eat at home almost all the time. In the form of
dough, boiled, and akassa (local meal made with corn). When we
are facing a financial problem we just have to take a bag of maize,
sell it and the problem is solved. “Cotton’s cash lasts before coming.
All the while, it’s corn that keeps us alive. Corn helps us a lot without
lying to you.”
Cotton Production Constraints
The benefits of cotton and corn production are enormous.
However, during the survey, producers listed a number of
constraints they face every day. Seven main constraints came back
during the exchanges. They have been grouped in the following table
with their respective average ranks. It is noted after analysis of the
table that the main constraint reported by the population studied
is the insufficiency of the seeds supplied to them. The majority of
producers have not only deplored the lack of seeds but also the late
availability of these inputs. Similarly, the removal of seed cotton, the
late payment of cotton costs, the inadequacy of herbicides and the
high cost of inputs are the secondary constraints recorded in this
study. It is also important to note through the Kendall coefficient
(0.379) that the order of importance of these constraints varies
quite remarkably from one producer to another (Table 4).
Table 4: Classification of constraints related to cotton production.
Corn Production Constraints
Concerning corn production constraints, there is a relatively
high degree of agreement on the ranking (Kendall’s coefficient =
0.698). The first three constraints recorded are the lack of specific
inputs for maize, the obligation to sell cheap the crops, and the lack
of financial means to cover the expenses inherent to production.
The lack of agricultural equipment and the fluctuation of the price
of maize occupy the last places in this ranking (Table 5).
Table 5: Classification of constraints related to corn production.
Corn or Cotton
The objective of this section is to expose the respondents’
position after having simulated a situation where they are faced
with making a choice between the two crops. It also aims to explain
the reasons justifying their respective positions. Table 6 presents
the distribution of producers according to the crop chosen. From
this table, it appears that more than half of the producers (58%)
chose corn, 22% cotton and 20% decided not to take a position.
Table 7 below is a summary of the reasons given by the producers
following the choice made. Producers, who opted for cotton justify
their choice by the fact that the sector is organized, the price is
fairly stable, and inputs are provided on credit. At the same time,
those who chose maize justify this by its ability to cope with the
producer’s financial problems, its ability to keep them alive before
the arrival of cotton revenue and also by its easiness and short
production cycle. Producers who have maintained a neutral stance
argue that the two crops are inseparable and that in the current
context, corn production is necessary in order to reap the benefits
of cotton.
Table 6: Crop chosen by farmers.
Table 7: Summary of the reasons given by the producers
following the choice made Farmer stances.
Discussion
As maize is a foodstuff, it is mainly used to cover the food needs
of producers and their households. The forms under which it is
consumed differ from one region to another, or even from one social
category to another [20]. In Kandi commune, it is consumed in the
form of porridge, paste and akassa. Secondarily, it is the subject
of a commercial transaction and generates significant income
for producers. After discussions with these producers, it is noted
that the income earned is used for security purposes and social
fulfilment. Purchases of food, buildings and ceremonies (marriage,
baptism, death ...) are the main uses made of these incomes. They
also, but very rarely, invest money that can add value to their
production. Purchasing production equipment is generally limited
to the minor tools that are necessary. This could be explained not
only by the relatively large size of households living at the expense of
these incomes, but also by the primacy of physiological and security
needs over other needs. The difficulties that undermine the maize
sector in the municipality are enormous, as well as the benefits
that result from it. The lack of specific maize inputs outweighs all
constraints by unlawfully resorting to inputs for cotton production.
According to [5]; [7] and [21], this diversion is reflected in the low
yields obtained at the cotton level. One could say that maize seems to
be in the study area a parasite of the cotton crop. Studies conducted
by [22] on the corn seed production and distribution system in
accordance with this study revealed that the lack of input is one
of the main weaknesses of the maize sector. The study also shows
that, apart from the lack of inputs, the sale at low prices of harvests
is a strategy developed by producers in urgent need of financial
means. They are often lacking when they harvest the cotton. Cases
of illness or other unforeseen events arise occasionally. In response
to these problems, they sell corn crops. Those who do not adhere to
this practice generally resort to Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs)
loans as mentioned by [23]. The ‘‘warrantage’’, (a sort of securing by
storing a part or the full harvest) implemented in Benin for more
than a decade [24] in response to this situation hasn’t unfortunately
had a significant impact in the study area. With regard to cotton,
it is noted that income from production has the same purpose as
corn, with the difference that cotton is exclusively sold and used
more for sustainable projects. In some localities in the study area,
cotton producers pay contributions after receiving cotton income
to build classrooms or other community infrastructures. Numerous
producers greet the organization around the cotton sector and
mainly the credit-input which is granted to them. This credit would
allow them, according to [25], to effectively fight against pests and
raise the level of fertility of their land. Nevertheless, the high cost
of
inputs, the insufficiency of seeds supplied and especially the delay
in their delivery are denounced as the real handicaps of the sector.
Many are forced to informally leave money in order to have the extra
amount of seed needed. Added to this, the evacuation of cotton
harvests from the production areas to the factory loses its nature of
gratuity at a given period of the campaign. All these constraints call
into question the performance of the production system.
Conclusion
The aim of this study was to shed light on the two most
important agricultural value chains in northern Benin. This,
through the advantages and constraints that characterize their
productions. At the end of the study, it appears that cotton as
much as maize represents a lot. farmers. Corn is the staple of their
diet and significant revenues are derived from the production of
both crops. These revenues are mainly used to meet the needs of
households and their social development. Cotton, on the other
hand, enables producers to meet their economic and social needs.
Besides, the two production systems are subject to constraints that
need to be considered for the betterment of these sectors and the
actors involved. Giving common attention to both crops through the
organization of the maize sector and the optimization of the services
provided by the AIC are means likely to boost the satisfaction of all
the actors involved.
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