Characterization of the Production System of Tiger Nuts Nutritionals Tubers Cultivated and Marketed in Benin

Résumé

Nutsedge is a neglected perennial plant whose roots produce tuberous seeds with high nutritional potential. The valuation of this species requires knowledge of the national availability. This study aims to assess the availability and production systems of tiger nuts in the face of food insecurity in Benin. A survey was done conducted in the 7 agricultural development centers of Benin using a GPS to locate the production areas for tiger nut tubers and a survey sheet has been administered to producers. The resultats show that 5 poles out of 7 practice the cultivation of tiger nut in Benin. Pole 3 is the leading producer of tiger nut with a rate of 54.13% followed by poles 4, 5, 1 and 2 with 15.60%, 15.60%, 11.93%, 11% respectively. The quantity of tiger nut grown in Benin is estimated in 2019 at 25,170 kg over 80.85 ha. Of the cultivated varieties, the yellow varieties are predominant and are oriented towards external markets. The tiger nut agricultural calendar is July to August. Land clearing consists of clearing the ground, grubbing up and destroying previous crops. In order to break dormancy, tiger nut tubers from old harvests are immersed in water for 3 days and then sown. Producers use the tubers harvested in previous campaigns as seed for future campaigns. The cultivation of tiger nut is done by producers manually without the assistance of mechanical machinery or animal traction. Growers grow nutsedge alone or in combination with other crops. The main reasons for the association of tiger nut and okra cultivation are: the lack of land and the search for shade during the harvest. When spreading, 8 bags are used on average per hectare. In the municipalities of Boukoumbé, Matéri, Ouèssè, Ouinhi, Tanguiéta and Toucountouna, the use of manure is the only type of fertilizer used. In addition, the combination of fertilizers during spreading is provided by a few producers living in other municipalities, namely: Cobly, Kérou, Malanville, Savè, and Dassa-Zounmè. The types of manure that producers use when spreading with mineral fertilizers (Urea and NPK). Thus all producers in all municipalities make use of cow purse, plant debris and poultry droppings. As for the effects of climatic factors, they have a favorable impact on the yield of tiger nut. The survey revealed very low availability of tiger nut and production systems are rudimentary and subject to considerable production constraints.

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