Implications of agroecological transition on performance and soil carbon inputs in farms from highly productive cashew zones of Benin

Abstract

Context: Agroecological transition in farming systems that integrate crops, trees, and livestock offers a promising strategy to enhance farm performance and increase soil carbon (C) inputs through improved management of manure, crop residues, and tree litterfall. In Benin's major Anacardium occidentale (cashew) production zones, such integrated systems remain underutilized due to various implementation challenges. Nevertheless, the diversity of farming practices in the region presents an opportunity to assess the benefits of agricultural integration at the farm level. Objective: This study evaluated how agroecological transition influences farm performance and soil carbon inputs in Benin's cashew-producing zones. Methods: A total of 206 farms were surveyed across four districts in central and northern Benin using the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). Agroecological transition level and performance of two farm typologies were considered. The first one was a pre-defined typology based on structural characteristics of the farming systems (conventional, low integrated and integrated farming systems), and the second one was an identified typology by clustering analysis based on the scoring of the 10 Elements of Agroecology (clusters C1, C2 and C3). In both cases, the correlation of the Characterization of AgroEcological Transition (CAET) indices with the core criteria of performance (CCP) index and the soil carbon inputs (SCI) index were estimated. Results and conclusions: Among pre-defined typologies, integrated farming systems demonstrated higher CAET, CCP and SCI indices than conventional systems. Among identified typologies, farms in the cluster C3 achieved higher CAET, CCP and SCI indices. This cluster included 85%, 59% and 31.8% of farms from the integrated, low integrated and conventional farming systems respectively, revealing heterogeneity of agroecological transition level among farming types. Considering all farms, moderate levels of agroecological transition were observed (median total CAET = 47%), with higher farm CAET (50%) than social CAET (41%). Farm performance also showed moderate levels (CCP median index = 0; expected range: −5 to 5). Significance: These findings underscore the potential of agroecological transition to enhance the sustainability of farm productivity in Benin through improved agroecological performance and improved soil C inputs. Policies and interventions promoting such systems could support the region's transition to more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.