Towards indigenous community-based adaptation to climate change: a typological analysis of tree-livestock integration in smallholding systems in dryland areas of Benin (West-Africa)

Abstract

Integration of livestock farming practices with trees is neglected and poorly explored in the context of climate change (CC) in drylands. However, such knowledge is urgently needed to propose effective strategies in the livestock sector to cope with CC. This study is initiated to characterize the diversity of indigenous integrated livestock systems with trees in drylands of Benin through a survey including 140 smallholder farmers. Data were submitted to a multiple correspondence analysis with hierarchical ascending classi cation and four types of integrated livestock smallholder farmers have been highlighted. The rst type is referred to "Traditional silvopastoral systems", consisting of farmers owning high tropical livestock unit (26 ± 0.59 TLU). They did not have land ownership and they exploited trees and shrubs in rangelands and protected areas. They used indigenous trees for treating sick animals and feeding. The second type is ''Improved silvopastoral systems'' with an average of 11 ± 0.21 TLU. They had a land ownership and combined livestock, forage plants and fodder trees in pasturelands. The third type, referred as "Small Integrated agrosilvopastoral systems" consisted of smallholder farmers who integrated agriculture, livestock and tree plantations. They owned a low livestock tropical unit (6 ± 0.24 TLU). The last type quali ed as "Large Integrated agrosilvopastoral systems" owned an average of 18 ± 0.34 TLU and cultivated large areas of land. Leguminous trees are used to improve soil fertility and as animal feed. Based on these identi ed different agroforestry practices of livestock smallholder farmers in the drylands, indigenous community-based adaptation can be designed to face CC.

The effect of the silvopastoral system on milk production and reproductive performance of dairy cows and its contribution to adaptation to a changing climate in the drylands of Benin (West-Africa)

“…Dairy farmers of these regions are known for their practice of adaptation to CC based on the integration of animals with trees or shrubs. The herds of farmers who participated in this study were those who had at least two cows at the early lactation and who had participated in the previous study initiated by Assani et al (2023). The previous study identified four types of smallholder dairy cattle farms namely traditional silvopasture (TSS); Improved Silvopasture (ISS); Small-scale Agrosilvopasture (SIAS) and Large Integrated Agrosilvopasture (LIAS).…”

“…The previous study identified four types of smallholder dairy cattle farms namely traditional silvopasture (TSS); Improved Silvopasture (ISS); Small-scale Agrosilvopasture (SIAS) and Large Integrated Agrosilvopasture (LIAS). The characteristics of the four identified type of farmers in dryland areas of Benin are presented in Supplementary Table S1 (Assani et al, 2023). In TSS, farmers had an average of 26 Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU).…”

“…This study showed that herd structure varied with integrated production systems. The high proportion of lactating cows and dry cows in ISS herds is related to the main production objective of this farm (Assani et al, 2023). In fact, ISS farmers specialize in dairy production and direct their production toward the market or semi-dairies.…”

Forage Preference, Voluntary Intake, and In Vivo Digestibility of Six Tropical Tree Leaves by Sheep in Semi-Arid Areas in Benin Republic (West Africa)

“…Farmers adopted various coping strategies to deal with climate disturbances and anthropic pressure. These strategies vary according to their prosperity level and economic resources [9,10]. Improving traditional pastoralism systems is needed as an adaptation and mitigation strategy to be used by smallholder farmers in Benin [10].…”

“…These strategies vary according to their prosperity level and economic resources [9,10]. Improving traditional pastoralism systems is needed as an adaptation and mitigation strategy to be used by smallholder farmers in Benin [10]. Small ruminants are kept on small-scale farms and play an important role in the livelihood strategies of resource-poor farmers [11,12], including income generation, insurance (sale for cash to meet unexpected expenditures), economic Sustainability 2024, 16, 2270 2 of 15 security (sale for cash to support foreseeable expenses), social/religious functions, and prestige in ownership [13].…”