Land Degradation and Cotton Growing in Farming Communities in Benin

Abstract

The municipality of Kérouis an agricultural community characterized by land impoverishment due to cotton monoculture and rudimentary agricultural technology1. Land degradation in the municipality of Kérouis therefore a worrying situation that has a negative impact on soil fertility, crop yields and can lead to long-term food in security and poverty2. The model developed by the soil scientists of the FAO 3and the World Bank 4 and 5isused to calculate from 2013-2014 the accumulated land losses (Pt) of 2.79 to 10.45 t/ha/year, following cotton growing in the municipality of Kérou.