Climate Risks in Cashew Farming in North-Central Benin: Farmers’ Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies

Chaim Vivien DOTO^{1, 2,} , Ramzy Iko Allah Sylla SYLLA EL HADJ BONI¹, Djigbo Félicien BADOU^{1, 3} and Hyppolite AGADJIHOUEDE¹

¹Rural Engineering Laboratory, School of Rural Engineering, National University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 55, Porto Novo, Benin

²Laboratory of Hydraulics and Water Control, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, P.O. Box 526, Cotonou, Benin

³Laboratory of Plant Sciences, Horticulture and Forestry, School of Horticulture and Green Space Management, National University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 55, Porto Novo, Benin;Laboratory of Hydraulics and Water Control, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, P.O. Box 526, Cotonou, Benin

Cite this paper:
Chaim Vivien DOTO, Ramzy Iko Allah Sylla SYLLA EL HADJ BONI, Djigbo Félicien BADOU and Hyppolite AGADJIHOUEDE. Climate Risks in Cashew Farming in North-Central Benin: Farmers’ Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies. American Journal of Water Resources. 2025; 13(6):198-205. doi: 10.12691/ajwr-13-6-3

Abstract

This study assessed cashew farmers’ perceptions of climate risks and their adaptation strategies in the municipality of Tchaourou. Data were collected through structured interviews with 163 farmers across seven districts (Alafiarou, Bétérou, Goro, Kika, Sanso, Tchaourou, and Tchatchou). The survey focused on identifying predominant climate risks, their perceived impacts on yields, and the adaptation measures employed. Correspondence Analysis (CA) was applied to explore the district-specific relationships between types of climate risks and their effects. Cashew farmers identified erratic rainfall, increasing temperatures, prolonged Harmattan seasons, and frequent drought events as the main climate risks. These were reported to cause soil degradation, the emergence of new diseases, a reduction in nut quality, and yield losses. The CA revealed a spatially heterogeneous distribution of these impacts across the districts. In response, cashew farmers have adopted various adaptation strategies. The most prevalent practices include post-rainy-season plowing and mowing, thinning, intercropping with food crops, and pruning. Plowing and mowing were highlighted as the primary strategies for mitigating soil evaporation and reducing competition for water and nutrients. Overall, this study provides a critical empirical foundation for developing targeted interventions aimed at optimizing water management and enhancing climate resilience within Benin’s vital cashew sector.

Keywords:
Climate risks cashew farming correspondence analysis adaptation strategies Tchaourou municipality

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