Traditional knowledge of Anacardium Occidentale (Linné) -based agrosystems in central Benin: Diversity, agronomic and environmental performance

The lack of arable land in central Benin has led farmers to combine food crops with cashew trees. This agro-forestry practice allows producers to diversify their sources of income and food while safeguarding natural resources and respect for the environment. The present study was carried out in central Benin in the communes of Dassa-Zoumé, Glazoué and Bantè, where data from 88 producers were processed and analyzed. The objective of this research is to determine the agro-environmental performance of each of the cashew nut-based agro-forestry systems practiced in central Benin. After an inventory, 14 cashew nut-based agro-forestry systems were identified in the area. Among them, eight (08) agro-systems were of interest for this study. The most performing at the agro-environmental level, based on the farmers' perception of their yields, were first the cashew nut-yam system followed by the cashew nut-cassava system and the cashew nut-cotton system that best guarantee financial security, nutritional quality and respect for the environment. Moreover, cassava cultivation was frequently mentioned by producers as a favourable crop for the development of cashew tree plants.

Keywords: Agroforestry systems, Cashew tree, Annual cropping, Agro-environmental performance, Center Benin