Adapting cattle farming to climate change in the dry and sub-humid tropical zones in Benin: how adaptation strategies affect productivity

Authors

    Y. Idrissou, D. Korir, A. Assani Seidou, H.S. Sanni Worogo, M.N. Baco, I. Alkoiret Traoré

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.37118

Keywords


Cattle, livestock production, climate change adaptation, milk production, adaptation strategies, Benin

Abstract

Cattle farmers are developing adaptation strategies to deal with the effects of climate change. Understanding how adaptation affects livestock productivity is, therefore, essential in order to identify and prioritize the optimal strategies. Yet, few studies have addressed this issue. This study aims to fill the gap, by assessing how the adaptation strategies developed by cattle farmers in Benin affect livestock productivity. We conducted surveys with 360 cattle farmers and monitored 30 farms in Benin’s dry and sub humid tropical zones. We collected data on the socio demographic characteristics of cattle farmers, their adaptation strategies and herd productivity. We carried out a multiple correspondence analysis, followed by an ascending hierarchical classification to establish the typology of the cattle farmers’ adaptation strategies. We tested data on livestock productivity using an analysis of variance with the generalized linear model procedure of R.3.5.1. software. The results revealed three groups of adaptation strategies: integrating livestock with crop production; use of supplemental feeding and fodder crops; pastoral mobility. The choice of strategy significantly affected livestock productivity. Animal mortality rates were lower on farms that adopted supplemental feeding (2.7%), and integrated crop/livestock systems (3.3%), compared to farms with pastoral mobility (5.2%). Supplementary feeding improved calf weights at birth and at 6 months and increased daily milk offtake. Based on the results obtained, we recommend that farmers adopt supplemental feeding and integrated crop/livestock strategies in the study zones to improve herd productivity.

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Affiliations

  • Y. Idrissou
    yayaidriss2617@gmail.com
    Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Santé et Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Parakou, République du Bénin
  • D. Korir Mazingira Centre, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
  • A. Assani Seidou
    Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Santé et Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Parakou, République du Bénin
  • H.S. Sanni Worogo
    Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Santé et Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Parakou, République du Bénin
  • M.N. Baco
    Laboratoire Société-Environnement (LaSEn), Faculté d'Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Parakou, République du Bénin
  • I. Alkoiret Traoré
    Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Santé et Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Parakou, République du Bénin

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Pâturage, résidus récolte champ maïs © Y. Idrissou, 2020

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Received

2023-02-27

Accepted

2023-10-06

Published

2023-11-23

How to Cite

Idrissou, Y., Korir, D., Assani Seidou, A., Sanni Worogo, H. S., Baco, M. N., & Alkoiret Traoré, I. . (2023). Adapting cattle farming to climate change in the dry and sub-humid tropical zones in Benin: how adaptation strategies affect productivity. Revue d’élevage Et De médecine vétérinaire Des Pays Tropicaux, 76, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.19182/remvt.37118

Issue

Vol. 76 (2023)

Section

Environments and territories

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© Y.Idrissou et al., hosted by CIRAD 2023

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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