The Self-consumption of Compost from Household Organic Waste in Market Gardening in South Borgou, Benin

Abstract

Abstract

Agricultural production that uses fewer chemicals is increasingly encouraged due to the effects of these chemicals on health, especially for vegetables and fruits. Thus, composting is promoted in market gardening production. This study aims to analyze the determinants of self-consumption of compost from household organic waste in market gardening production in South Borgou, Benin. On a sample of 288 market garden producers selected randomly, a logit regression model was used to analyze the variables that influence this adoption. The results show that factors such as: gender, having agriculture as a main activity, monthly income, having an organic waste management system, the presence of leaves, branches, and other garden waste as the types of organic waste produced in the household, and access to information or local programs that encourage organic waste management (recycling, composting, etc.) significantly influence the integration of compost from household organic waste into one's own vegetable production. Interventions in vegetable production can use these results to guide their policies.

Keywords: agriculture, compost, chemicals, Benin