Participatory evaluation of mechanical weeders in lowland rice production systems in Benin

Weeds are a major constraint to rice (Oryza sativa) production in sub-Saharan Africa. Use of mechanical hand weeders could reduce the labor required for weeding. This paper uses a participatory approach to examine the suitability of six mechanical weeders in Benin. A total of 157 farmers (93 male, 64 female) in 14 villages tested the mechanical weeders, ranked them in order of preference, and compared them with their own weed management practices. The ring hoe had the highest rank, followed by the straight-spike weeder; 97& of the farmers preferred the ring hoe to their own weed management practices, by hand or using traditional hoe, because of its easy operation and high efficiency. The ring hoe tended to be preferred especially in the fields with non-ponded water and relatively higher weed pressure. The straight-spike weeder tended to be preferred to ring hoe in the fields where weed pressure is less, whereas in ponded conditions, farmers liked these two weeders in equal proportion. The preference of weeders was not related to gender, rice field size, or years of experience of rice cultivation. Among 23 farmers who used herbicides, 17 farmers preferred herbicides to the ring hoe and have rice field of >0.5 ha. Mechanical weeders can offer an effective approach for weed management, especially for smallscale rice farmers, and different types of mechanical weeders should be introduced to farmers based on water regimes and weed pressure level.

Sylvestre Gongotchame    

Ibnou Dieng    

Kokou Ahouanton    

Jean-Martial Johnson    

Amakoe Delali Alognon    

Atsuko Tanaka    

Sanoussi Atta    

Kazuki Saito    

ELSEVIER    

Gender    

Mechanization    

Rice    

Water    

Weeds    

Gestion durable des terres et restauration des forêts et paysage    

Article

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Anglais

Bénin    

BIBLIOTHEQUE    

CAL-0642

Bibliothèque