Perception of Dew by Cereal Growers in Semi-Arid Climate (Guéné, North Benin)

Abstract

West Africa is one of the regions the more impacted by climate change, concerning in particular droughts and lack of fresh water. In this context was carried out a study of the sociological perception of dew as alternate source of water by cereal’s growers in Guéné (semi-arid region, north Benin). Ten data collectors were formed to fill out questionnaires, addressed to 100 cultivators in 2014. Data analysis takes into account respondents’ gender, their ages and the type of cereal they cultivate. Close to 80% of the growers experienced dew assistance when sowing cereals. During rain shortage, 44% of the farmers rely on dew occurrence to compensate for lack of rain water. Among farmers, 80% account for dew before and during cereals growth. For 99% of growers, dew plays an important role for cereal growth, as stated in scientific literature. However, 17% point out a possible negative role of dew, favoring dissemination of plant diseases. Farmers (87%) are open to any technology capable of collecting enough dew water for agriculture, but they remain skeptical about such discoveries. Responses only slightly vary when considering the gender and the ages of the farmers but they vary strongly when considering the type of cereal.