International Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development ISSN: 2716-7969 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 136-140, April, 2019.  © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Organic farming makes cotton production the most cost effective: Case study from Benin

Tovignan DS^1* and Vodouhe S²

1 Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou (UP), Benin.

2 Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin

Corresponding author: Dr. Silvere TOVIGNAN, research fields: Agricultural economics

*Correspondingauthor. E-mail [email protected]

Accepted 22 March, 2019

Abstract 

This article analyses the relative production cost of different cotton options in Benin. In fact, challenges faced by the conventional cotton sector lead to the introduction of two alternatives of cotton farming in Benin: cotton made ​​in Africa (CmiA) and organic cotton. Data for this study were collected in three production zones (Banikoara, Wassa Péhunco and Kandi) in northern Benin on farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and inputs used for cotton production. A detailed questionnaire was used with 180 cotton farmers (60 per alternative of cotton farming) selected by a stratified sampling method. The results show that the average relative production cost (in fcfa per hectare) is 193,725; 227,479; and 169,242 for conventional, CmiA, and organic cotton, respectively. The ANOVA test reveals a highly significant relative cost differences among production alternatives. Accordingly, organic cotton in comparison with the conventional and CmiA, is the most cost efficient alternative of cotton farming in northern Benin. A linear regression model reveals that the major socio economic determinants of the relative production cost level are: farmers’ experience in cotton production, the size of cotton field, the size of maize field, and the adoption organic farming practices.

Key words: Relative cost, Sustainable cotton production, organic farming, cotton made in Africa, Benin.