Market gardeners’ perception of the barriers and enablers for agroecological practices adoption in Benin Republic

Abstract

There is growing interest in agroecology as a pathway to achieving more sustainable agriculture and food systems. It is increasingly recognized as a viable solution to address the economic, environmental, social, and health challenges associated with food systems. This study aims to explore the factors influencing the adoption of agroecological practices and the challenges faced by market gardeners in Benin. Using qualitative methods, we conducted 120 interviews with market gardeners from the Houéyogbé and Lokossa Communes, guided by a structured interview framework. The findings indicate that the adoption of agroecological practices is primarily driven by traditional knowledge, the perceived benefits of agroecology for human health and environmental protection, and the training and support provided by NGOs and development projects. However, several barriers hinder adoption, including persistent attacks by pests and pathogens, limited market access for agroecological products, and the low availability and high cost of ecological and biological inputs. Additional challenges include climatic and environmental constraints and poor access to agricultural credit.To promote the sustainable adoption of agroecological practices in Benin, it is crucial for policymakers, NGOs, development projects, and researchers to prioritize addressing these limiting

Keywords: Agroecological practices, market gardening, farmers’ knowledge, barriers and enablers, Houéyogbé, Lokossa, Benin