African Livestock Production (Science focus - Agri/Animal Science) | 07 September 2002
Integrated Farming Systems for Resource-Poor Farmers in Benin: An Assessment
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Abstract
Integrated farming systems (IFS) have been proposed as a solution to enhance productivity and sustainability for resource-poor farmers in Benin. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews, and a cost-benefit analysis of IFS compared to conventional methods. IFS resulted in an average crop yield increase of 20% over traditional farming practices across all surveyed farms (\(n=150)\). The findings suggest that IFS can significantly improve the livelihoods and environmental sustainability of resource-poor farmers in Benin. Policy makers should consider incentivizing the adoption of IFS by providing training, access to inputs, and market linkages for smallholder farmers.