Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Benin is home to approximately 2,940 sacred forests [ ] 62 Promotion of organic cotton around protected areas Benin is one of the three main pro- ducers of cotton in West Africa, with cotton production remaining a pillar of the economy, representing 70 per cent of export revenues. But conven- tional farming of cotton, which is the predominant method, is harmful to biodiversity as it relies on inten- sive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Consequently, several ha of forest ecosystems, even in protect- ed areas, are endangered because of these conventional agricultural prac- tices. This is the case, for example, in the classified forests of Trois Rivières, Ouénou-Benou and Alibon in the north, and Abomey and Agoua in central Benin. In order to reduce ecological disturbances due to this form of ag- riculture, integrated and organic ap- proaches have been developed in par- allel with conventional agriculture. Today, organic agricultural practices are being implemented across the country, contributing to the preser- vation of the diversity of animal and plant species and ecosystems. For the promotion of organic cot- ton, the Organization of Benin for the Promotion of Organic Agriculture (OBEPAB) has intervened in Djidja, Setto, Glazoué, Kandi and Sinendé to develop certified organic cotton. Moreover, the Village Association for the Management of Fauna Reserves (AVIGREF) has set up actions in Pen- djari to develop the organic cotton, Alafia. Thanks to recommendations made through the practices of organic agriculture, the water, soil, savannah and forest ecosystems have been pre- served in the above mentioned cotton production zones. In the Pendjari National Park, for example, the water, soil and plants have been preserved since the 2007–2008 campaign due to the promotion of the Alafia organic cotton in the Pendjari Biosphere Re- serve. Likewise, the tributaries of the Alibori, Ouémé and Zou rivers that flow close to the areas of production are protected. Within the context of organic agriculture, certain animal species are considered as beneficial to farm- ers and, as such, are systematically preserved. These include the ladybug, mantis, hoverfly, wasp, ant, earwig, cricket, as well as spiders and bees. For wetlands surrounding organic production zones, fishing resources have benefited from the neutrality of organic inputs. Likewise, soil- based organisms such as worms and other microorganisms are preserved through organic agricultural inputs. S ituated in West Africa, Benin’s territory spans 114,763km² and is delimited to the north by the Niger River and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The country features three principal zones: the mountainous region in the north- west, the country’s water source where the Ouémé, Pendjari and Mékrou Rivers originate; the plateau region between the coastal plain and the Lonkli Kétou transversal; and the coastal zone in the south that contains lakes and lagoons. There is an important forest cover spanning approximately 47 per cent of the national territory. The network of protected areas comprises 58 classified forests and almost 3,000 sacred forest stands. Kota Falls, Benin Rudi Verspoor on flickr Benin