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Socioeconomic determinants of organic cotton adoption in Benin, West Africa

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  • Epiphane Sodjinou
  • Laurent Glin
  • Gian Nicolay
  • Silvère Tovignan
  • Jonas Hinvi

Abstract

Organic cotton relies on ecological processes and the use of natural resources to sustain the production system, unlike conventional cotton, mainly characterized by massive utilization of synthesis chemicals. In West Africa, where rural livelihoods are particularly vulnerable, organic cotton is expected to contribute not only to poverty reduction but also to strengthen households’ resilience. The objective of this study was to assess institutional and socioeconomic factors determining farmers’ decisions to adopt organic cotton. For this purpose, we applied a probit model on empirical data collected from producers of the Centre and the Northern parts of Benin. Overall, we found that organic cotton adoption is mainly determined by farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, the physical distance between farm and house, and contact with extension and advisory services. Organic farming is more attractive to women compared to conventional farming. This because such type of cotton farming enables women to hold a separate cotton farm and thus increase their economic independence, whereas with the conventional system they depend mainly on the farm of the (male) head of the household. Older, less educated and low-income farmers who express environmental concern are more likely to adopt organic cotton. Subsequently, organic cotton should be considered as a prospective policy option to reach the poor and strengthen their livelihoods conditions while contributing to preserve the environment and natural resources. Furthermore, farmers who have their farm near home are more likely to adopt organic farming than those who have the farm far from their home. It also came out that organic farmers have more contacts with advisory and extension services. Finally, the study noted that there is still a need to enhance the extension system by: (1) exploring, designing, and upgrading innovative pedagogic tools such as videos and mobile phone technology to foster learning; and (2) strengthening organic farmer’s organizations and the linkage with agricultural research organizations for technology development. Copyright Sodjinou et al.; licensee Springer. 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Epiphane Sodjinou & Laurent Glin & Gian Nicolay & Silvère Tovignan & Jonas Hinvi, 2015. "Socioeconomic determinants of organic cotton adoption in Benin, West Africa," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:3:y:2015:i:1:p:1-22:10.1186/s40100-015-0030-9
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-015-0030-9
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    2. Gbêtondji Melaine Armel Nonvide, 2021. "Adoption of agricultural technologies among rice farmers in Benin," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 2372-2390, November.
    3. Régina D.C. Bonou-zin & Khalil Allali & Aziz Fadlaoui, 2019. "Environmental Efficiency of Organic and Conventional Cotton in Benin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Yann Emmanuel Sonagnon Miassi & Fabrice Kossivi Dossa, 2018. "Socio-Economic Determinants of the Adoption of Agricultural Contracts: Case of Cashew Farmers in North-Eastern Benin [Déterminants socio-économiques de l’adoption des contrats agricoles : Cas des p," Post-Print hal-01689037, HAL.
    5. Gerard C. Zoundji & Esperance Zossou & Dossou S. Wilfilas Awanvoeke & Simplice D. Vodouhe, 2024. "Between Professionalism and Amateurism in the Use of the Agricultural Training Videos: Lessons Learnt from Experimental Auctions in Benin," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(1), pages 101-101, April.
    6. Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong & Jeffrey Sayer & Colin J. Macgregor & Sean Sloan, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Practices in Ghana’s Forest-Fringe Communities," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Ratana Sapbamrer & Ajchamon Thammachai, 2021. "A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-28, March.
    8. Aïhounton, Ghislain B.D. & Henningsen, Arne, 2024. "Does organic farming jeopardize food security of farm households in Benin?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    9. Fabrice K Dossa & Yann E S Miassi, 2018. "Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Organic Cotton Adoption in North-East of Benin: Case Study of Kandi District [Facteurs Socio-Economiques Influençant L'adoption de Coton Biologique au Nord-Est du B," Post-Print hal-01706480, HAL.
    10. Nguyen Khanh Doanh & Nguyen Thi Thu Thuong & Yoon Heo, 2018. "Impact of Conversion to Organic Tea Cultivation on Household Income in the Mountainous Areas of Northern Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.
    11. Gideon Danso-Abbeam & Joshua Antwi Bosiako & Dennis Sedem Ehiakpor & Franklin Nantui Mabe, 2017. "Adoption of improved maize variety among farm households in the northern region of Ghana," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 1416896-141, January.

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