Agricultural Zones Change and Availability of Food Crops on the Plateau of Allada in South-Benin

Abstract

The goal of this survey is to understand the evolutions undergone by the agricultural zones of the plateau of Allada between 2002 and 2014 in the perspective of a sustainable agriculture. This geomorphologic space of Benin, with a surface of 2,037 km2, welcome a population of 717,813 inhabitants in 2013, either a density of 352 habitants/km2. The agricultural production is essentially rainfed. It is taking more and more space. Then, it is convenient to analyze the rhythm of extension to help towards consequent decision making. Thus, the landsat satellite images ETM+ 2002 and OLI 2014 have been used. They are completed by the topographic map, sector of Porto-Novo. By analyzing the results, the agricultural spaces of the plateau of Allada occupied a surface of 144,332 ha in 2014, either 71% of the hole space. It means there was a growth of 7% in comparison to 2002. 108,334 ha remained in culture or small fallow during 12 years. Therefore, about 36,000 ha constituted the result of the gains and losses on other land use units. In terms of gains, 17,629 ha of forests disappeared between 2002 and 2014 in the profit of agricultural zones. During the same period, the growth of the population had more lowered the availabilities of life crops. For example, 106 kg of available corn per inhabitant/yr in 2002 passed to 65 kg/inhabitant/yr in 2014, whereas according to the norms of the FAO, it should be of 134 kg/inhabitant/yr. then, it urges to intensify the production of food crops.