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

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Titre
Participatory evaluation of mechanical weeders in lowland rice production systems in Benin
Description
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.
AUTEUR
Sylvestre Gongotchame
Ibnou Dieng
Kokou Ahouanton
Jean-Martial Johnson
Amakoe Delali Alognon
Atsuko Tanaka
Sanoussi Atta
Kazuki Saito
EDITEUR
ELSEVIER
Sujet
Gender
Mechanization
Rice
Water
Weeds
AXE CILSS
Gestion durable des terres et restauration des forêts et paysage
Type
Article
Format
pdf
Langue
Anglais
COUVERTURE GEOGRAPHIQUE
Bénin
section
BIBLIOTHEQUE
Identifiant
CAL-0642
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