Change and continuity in traditional cattle farming systems of West African Coast countries: A case study from Benin

In order to characterize current cattle farming systems with respect to herd mobility and its drivers, 803 cattle farmers were surveyed across three vegetation zones along a North-South transect in Benin. Individual interviews were conducted on the basis of a semi-structured questionnaire which included questions on the socio-economic characteristics of livestock breeders, their herd size and structure, their livestock management and other agricultural practices. Production systems were typologized using categorical principal component analysis and Two-Step cluster analysis. The main factors that differentiated the cattle farming systems were type of herd mobility, season of mobility (wet or dry season), amplitude (less or >40 km) of herd movements, herd size, and the dominant cattle breed in the herd. The following six distinct herd types were identified: “Sedentary Crossbreed (Taurine x Zebus) Farms” (n = 174; 21.7%); “Sedentary Zebu Farms” (n = 185; 23%); “Sedentary Taurine Farms” (n = 108; 13.4%); “Low Amplitude Transhumant Zebu Farms” (n = 91; 11.3%); “High Amplitude Transhumant Zebu Farms” (n = 118; 14.7%) and “Variable Amplitude Transhumant Crossbreed (Taurine x Zebus) Farms” (n = 127; 15.8%). The study revealed that pastoral mobility was practiced by about half of the surveyed herders and remains a necessity for the cattle breeders in spite of its constraints. Farmers' social status and environmental conditions also played a significant role in the adoption of a certain herd mobility strategy. The increasing practice of transhumance by non-Fulani people –an activity that until recently was closely associated with Fulani ethnic group– combined with the larger herd sizes in southern and central compared to northern regions, the expansion of crop cultivation among Fulani herders and the southwards expansion of pastoralism to the humid and sub-humid regions revealed a paradigm shift in cattle production systems in Benin. The seasonality and continuously changing availability of grazing lands and water resources were the main drivers of the ongoing transformation in the pastoral systems. Additionally, increased herd mobility has intensified conflicts among herders, and between herders and crop farmers. Adequate interventions are crucial to sustain the current production systems. Mobile pastoralists should adopt improved herd management strategies including timely destocking, while developing and strengthening grazing and manure contracts with local crop and livestock farmers. Settled pastoralists should reduce their dependency on natural rangelands and adopt more forage cultivation. Supportive policies should include the establishment and enforcement of rules for grazing activities and improvement of pastoralists' access to market, credit and veterinary services.