Vegetable Production under Land Pressure and Resource Constraints: Insights from Urban Farming Systems in Cotonou, Benin

Abstract

This study explores the socio-agronomic dynamics of urban and peri-urban vegetable production in Cotonou, Benin, with a focus on farmer characteristics, cultivated species, land use, irrigation practices, and market pricing. A total of 23 vegetable species were recorded, comprising 10 native and 13 introduced varieties. Beetroot, bell pepper, and lettuce emerged as the most economically valuable crops, with prices influenced by cultivation difficulty and intermediary-driven inflation. The surveyed farming population was predominantly male (93.24%), spanning five ethnic groups, with Kotafon and Fon being the most represented. Educational attainment was relatively high, with over 60% of respondents having completed secondary or university-level studies. Farmers operated on small plots under conditions of persistent land tenure insecurity. Irrigation relied on artisanal boreholes and motorized pumps accessing groundwater at depths of 7 - 8 meters. The Houéyiho site, one of the oldest and most populated urban farming zones, exemplifies both the opportunities and constraints of vegetable production in Cotonou. The findings underscore the need for integrated support strategies, including land access reform, irrigation innovation, pest management, and cooperative marketing, to enhance the sustainability and profitability of urban horticulture.