Adoption of Environmentally sustainable practices in rural Atacora, Benin

CONTEXT Agricultural production is paramount in developing countries driving economic development food security and environmental sustainability. Despite the importance of the later and the efforts of the Government in balancing environmental conservation with food security, the adoption of Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs), remains low in Benin rural areas. This problem is a pressing challenge in the Atacora region. OBJECTIVE The focus of this study is rural Atacora region located in the northern part of Benin Republic. The main objective of this study was to examine the determinants of the adoption of multiple Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs) and the intensity of their adoption in the study area. METHODS Multivariate probit and Poisson models were employed to analyze the data and examine the adoption of the Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs). The EPSs considered in this research include: crop diversification, contour plowing, crop residue incorporation, composting, cover cropping, animal manure, animal traction, crop rotation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal that rural households’ adoption of different ESPs and their intensity of utilization are significantly subjected various factors such as: gender of the household head,education, age, farm size, contact with extension agents as well as other households’ wealth related status. The Poisson regression model further highlight the impact of factors such as age of the household head, education, farming experience, livestock ownership, soil erosion and workshop attendance, on the intensity of multiple ESPs adoption. SIGNIFICANCE The study highlights the urgent need of for both the Government and various stakeholders to invest in training programs (formal and informal) aimed at boosting up the adoption of the Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs) by rural dwellers. Immediate address to these enumerated factors will surely contribute at promoting environmental sustainability but also at enhancing food security status in rural areas in general and specifically in the study area which is classified among the most food insecure regions in the Republic of Benin.