Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Typology of smallholder farms adopting conservation agriculture in northern Benin’s Sudanian zone

¹University of Parakou, Dept. of Rural Economy and Sociology, Benin
²University of Parakou, Dept. of Vegetable Production, Benin
³University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Inst. for Agricultural and Agri-Food Research (IRAA), Canada

Abstract

The adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) practices among small farms remains heterogeneous, both in term of implementation and agro-ecological performance. This study aims to characterise small farms profiles according to their level of CA practices adoption. Data were collected through individual interviews with 322 farm managers, covering socioeconomic characteristics as well as practices such as intercropping, crop rotation, sowing under cover crops, and minimum tillage, including their combinations. A factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) was used to identify the main dimensions structuring CA practices, followed by hierarchical ascending classification (HAC) using Ward's method and Euclidean distance to define homogeneous groups. Adoption rates were analysis using descriptive statistics. Our results identify three classes of producers according to their level of CA adoption. Institutional and human factors constitute the main determinants of this heterogeneity, with adoption trajectories more strongly associated with access to training, credit, and support mechanisms than with farm size or physical resources. Full adopters (Class 1) implement all practices in a combined manner, whereas partial adopters (Class 2) adopt a subset of practices, and moderate adopters (Class 3) exhibit an intermediate level of adoption. The chi-square test reveals significant differences (p < 0.05) in adoption patterns across class and municipality. Northern Benin’s farms show a gradient from traditional to agroecological systems, with increasing legume integration, crop rotations, and soil conservation enhancing productivity, fertility, and sustainability. Overall, the findings highlight the diversity of CA strategies and underscore the need for target support mechanisms and policies to promote sustainable agriculture transitions.

Keywords: Adoption, conservation agriculture, hierarchical clustering, mixed data analysis

Contact Address: Nouroudine Ollabodé, University of Parakou, Dept. of Rural Economy and Sociology, Parakou, Benin, e-mail: nouroudineolabodegmail.com