Farmer typology and differentiated adoption of climate change adaptation measures in the Oueme Valley, southern Benin

Résumé fourni par la source

Climate change poses a major threat to family farming in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in wetland-based agricultural systems that are highly sensitive to climatic variability. Although farmers’ adaptation strategies have been widely documented, the role of socio-economic and institutional heterogeneity in shaping differentiated adaptation trajectories remains insufficiently explored. This study analyzes the diversity of climate change adaptation strategies adopted by smallholder farmers in the lower and Middle Oueme Valley in southern Benin. Data were collected from 328 farmers across eight municipalities using a structured survey. A typological approach combining multivariate analyses and clustering techniques was employed to identify farmer profiles and assess differences in adaptation practices. The results reveal four statistically distinct types of farmers with contrasting adaptation behaviors. Weakly integrated farmers primarily rely on low-cost, endogenous practices, such as crop rotation and adjustment of planting dates. Institutionally integrated and modernized farmers exhibit the highest levels of adoption of climate-smart practices, including the use of improved crop varieties, soil fertility management, and irrigation-related measures. Intermediate farmers selectively combine traditional and modern practices, while a small group of highly educated and digitally connected farmers adopts intensive and innovative adaptation strategies. These findings underscore the need for territorially targeted and socially differentiated adaptation policies to strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate change.

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