African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6914

Full Length Research Paper

Cassava use in southern Benin: Importance and perception of actors involved in the value chain

Halfane Lehmane
  • Halfane Lehmane
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Rafiatou Ba
  • Rafiatou Ba
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Durand Dah-Nouvlessounon
  • Durand Dah-Nouvlessounon
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Haziz Sina
  • Haziz Sina
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Orou Daouda Bello
  • Orou Daouda Bello
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Horace Degnonvi
  • Horace Degnonvi
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Farid T. Bade
  • Farid T. Bade
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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Farid Baba-Moussa
  • Farid Baba-Moussa
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP526, Cotonou, Benin.
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Adolphe Adjanohoun
  • Adolphe Adjanohoun
  • Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, BP 884, Cotonou, Benin.
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Lamine Baba-Moussa
  • Lamine Baba-Moussa
  • Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05BP1604, Cotonou, Benin.
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  •  Received: 30 June 2022
  •  Accepted: 20 September 2022
  •  Published: 30 November 2022

Abstract

In Benin, many families resort not only to consumption but also to the therapeutic use of cassava (Manihot esculenta). The study  assessed the impact of socio-economic factors on the use of cassava, and the perception of the actors involved in the value chain in Benin. Four areas of high production and processing, with 516 producers and processors  of cassava roots were surveyed. The results reveal that producers are mostly men (83.30%) over 40 years of age (53%) with a primary education (73%); while processors are mostly women (83%) over 40 years of age (65%) and uneducated (55%). BEN, RB, and Finton are the most produced varieties. Post-harvest losses are much higher in  Kétou than Aplahoué and Zogbodomè. The processors carry out at least two processes per month (83%) with a quantity of less than 500 kg (93%), and an annual income of less than 150,000 African Financial Community franc (CFAF). Cassava leaves are used  to treat anaemia in children, haemorrhage and headaches, while the roots are  employed to treat erectile dysfunction and malaria. Cuttings are used against accidents. Cassava is important in Benin because of its nutritional, financial and therapeutic values.

Key words: Manihot esculenta, producers, processors, pathologies, Benin.