Agroecological transition and performance evaluation of rice farms in northern Benin based on the FAO TAPE framework

Résumé

Introduction Rice production systems in northern Benin face major challenges related to productivity, dependence on external inputs, and long-term sustainability. However, their agroecological transition pathways and multidimensional performance remain insufficiently documented. Methods This study applied the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) to assess 438 rice farms classified into three production systems: Lowland Rice Systems (LRS), Rainfed Rice Systems (RRS), and Irrigated Rice Systems (IRS), using socio-economic, agronomic, and environmental indicators. Results TAPE Step 1, the Characterization of Agroecological Transition (CAET), revealed significant differences among production systems (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.05). IRS exhibited the highest agroecological transition, with six of the 10 Elements of Agroecology scoring above 50%, particularly Diversity (75%), Efficiency (60%), Recycling (60%), Synergies (55%), and Resilience (56%). RRS achieved an intermediate CAET score (40%), characterized by stronger performance in Diversity (55%), Circular & Solidarity Economy (50%), and Resilience (50%), but lower scores for Synergies, Efficiency, Responsible Governance, and Co-creation of Knowledge. LRS recorded the lowest CAET score (32%), with consistently low scores across most agroecological elements. Pairwise comparisons indicated significantly higher CAET scores in IRS than in LRS and RRS, whereas LRS and RRS did not differ significantly. TAPE Step 2 highlighted substantial heterogeneity among the 438 farms. The overall Performance Index ranged from -2 to +5, with a median of 0. Most farms performed well in Productivity and Added Value, while the majority exhibited undesirable performance for Income, Agricultural Biodiversity, and Soil Health. Discussion Agroecological transition is uneven and structurally differentiated across rice production systems in northern Benin. Although RRS displayed intermediate CAET scores, its overall transition level was not statistically distinguishable from LRS because of considerable within-system variability. The study confirms the relevance of TAPE as a robust diagnostic tool for identifying context-specific transition pathways and guiding agroecological strategies for sustainable rice production in West Africa.

Citer ce document

Accès au document

Texte intégral en lecture en ligne, réservé aux abonnés SPHAERO et aux membres de l'institution. Se connecter

Auteur(s)

Statistiques

Consultations : 1

Téléchargements : 0