Grain legumes on farms in central and southern Benin.

Grain legumes are economically affordable sources of protein foods and nutrition and are considered ideal solutions to the malnutrition affecting millions of people worldwide. In Benin, the main cultivated species, in order of importance, are soybean, peanut, cowpea, Bambara groundnut, pigeon pea and Kersting's groundnut. Over the 2020-2021 season, total grain legume production accounted for 5.43% of food harvests in Benin. This production level still falls short of covering food needs and fulfilling environmental functions. This study was carried out to assess the place of grain legumes on farms in central and southern Benin by analysing farm structures and existing cropping systems. Data were collected from 140 farms in 2 villages in the Zou and Collines departments in central Benin. Data analysis revealed a diversity of farm structures. Grain legumes were found to be planted on more than 50% of agricultural land in the study areas. They are grown in rotation and/or in crop mixtures (intercrops). However, intercrops are less frequent and practised by only 17% of farms. The main constraints faced by grain legume farmers are access to inputs and labour, and low profitability. The data collected will help in defining relevant strategies to improve the profitability and sustainability of cropping systems integrating grain legumes.