Comparative analysis of diversity and utilization of edible plants in arid and semi-arid areas in Benin

Abstract

BackgroundAgrobiodiversity is said to contribute to the sustainability of agricultural systems and food security. However, how this is achieved especially in smallholder farming systems in arid and semi-arid areas is rarely documented. In this study, we explored two contrasting regions in Benin to investigate how agroecological and socioeconomic contexts shape the diversity and utilization of edible plants in these regions.MethodsData were collected through focus group discussions in 12 villages with four in Bassila (semi-arid Sudano-Guinean region) and eight in Boukoumbé (arid Sudanian region). Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 180 farmers (90 in each region). Species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index were estimated based on presence-absence data obtained from the focus group discussions using species accumulation curves.ResultsOur results indicated that 115 species belonging to 48 families and 92 genera were used to address food security. Overall, wild species represent 61% of edible plants collected (60% in the semi-arid area and 54% in the arid area). About 25% of wild edible plants were under domestication. Edible species richness and diversity in the semi-arid area were significantly higher than in the arid area. However, farmers in the arid area have developed advanced resource-conserving practices compared to their counterparts in the semi-arid area where slash-and-burn cultivation is still ongoing, resulting in natural resources degradation and loss of biodiversity. There is no significant difference between the two areas for cultivated species richness. The interplay of socio-cultural attributes and agroecological conditions explains the diversity of food plants selected by communities.ConclusionsWe conclude that if food security has to be addressed, the production and consumption policies must be re-oriented toward the recognition of the place of wild edible plants. For this to happen we suggest a number of policy and strategic decisions as well as research and development actions such as a thorough documentation of wild edible plants and their contribution to household diet, promotion of the ‘’bringing into cultivation” practices, strengthening of livestock-crop integration.

Complementary feeding practices: determinants of dietary diversity and meal frequency among children aged 6–23 months in Southern Benin

“…Moreover, children from minority ethnic groups had higher probability of meeting MDD in Houeyogbe than in Bopa owing to the purchase of foods close to their cultural food habits. This finding could confirm that the interplay of socio-cultural attributes and agroecological conditions could explain the diversity of food plants selected and used by communities (Segnon & Achigan-Dako, 2014).…”

“…Strengthening the link between agriculture and dietary diversity can be proposed as one of the solutions to improve infant and young child nutrition. A study conducted in Benin by Segnon and Achigan-Dako (2014) showed that achieving food security can be fostered through production and consumption policies that include the valorization of wild edible plants.…”

“…Recent studies in Benin showed the important role of crop diversity in dietary habits of rural people and the complex relationships between socioeconomic characteristics of households and their access and use of these resources (Segnon & Achigan-Dako, 2014;Bellon, Ntandou-Bouzitou, & Caracciolo, 2016). However, the influence of such socioeconomic factors on complementary feeding practices have rarely been investigated in Benin. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the adequacy of complementary feeding practices of infants aged 6-23 months in rural areas in Southern Benin and identify key factors that influence them and key socio-economic characteristics of vulnerable groups where practices are inadequate.…”

Drivers of Management of Spider Plant (Gynandropsis gynandra) Across Different Socio-linguistic Groups in Benin and Togo

“…Patterns of plant uses and management often arise from complementarity between socio-cultural (Segnon and Achigan-Dako 2014;van Andel et al 2015). We observed patterns of convergence in use and management between communities sharing a same cultural background and living in the same geographical area.…”

“…Spider plant is cultivated in some communities in East and West Africa (Abasse et al 2007;Oluoch et al 2009) as well as Asia (Arora 2014). The species is rather found wild or feral in other parts of Africa (Dovie et al 2007;Kidane et al 2015;Segnon and Achigan-Dako 2014). Initiatives for promoting the species in commercial farming systems are rapidly emerging, especially in East Africa (Onyango et al 2013) as a result of increased recognition of its multiple nutritional and health benefits (Omondi et al 2017).…”