Typology of adaptation strategies of small ruminant breeders in northern Benin to cope with climate change

Abstract

Climate change (CC) has a direct impact on ruminant farming, given that it mobilizes resources whose seasonality and productivity are strongly linked to the climate. Small ruminant farmers react to the effects of CC by adopting various adaptation strategies. Knowledge of these strategies is essential in identifying and prioritizing the best of them. It is in this context that this study aims to achieve the typology of adaptation strategies developed by small ruminant women farmers in the dry and sub-humid tropical zones of Benin. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with 120 small ruminant women farmers in eight villages of two climatic zones. The data collected related to the socio-demographic characteristics of small ruminant women farmers, their perceptions and adaptation strategies. Using a Factorial Analysis of Multiple Correspondence (FACM) method, a typology of 3 groups of adaptation strategies was established: (1) integrating crops with animal husbandry (Group 1: ICA) developed by 51.7 % of the women surveyed, i.e. 60 women; (2) integrating crops with animal husbandry and shrubs (Group 2: ICArA) implemented by 13.3 % of respondents (i.e. 16 women) and finally (3) the strategy based on agro-industrial by-products and crop residues (ASPR) developed by 35.0 % of the women farmers surveyed, i.e. 42 women. This typology constitutes a starting point for the evaluation of the productivity of small ruminant farms in relation to the adaptation strategies developed by the women owners of these farms.

Keywords: Climate change, goats, sheep, women, adaptation strategies.