Integrated Farming Systems for Resource-Poor Farmers in Benin: An Assessment

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.