Maize (Zea mays) production profile under climate variability in Toviklin in South-western Bénin

Abstract

Maize is one of the main agricultural crops cultivated in the Commune of Toviklin. However, the increasing climatic variability observed in recent decades is progressively undermining production performance. The study assessed the level of adaptation of maize farmers to this climatic variability. The methodology combined documentary research, field surveys conducted with a sample of 227 maize farmers across the seven districts of the commune, and an analysis of climatic time series (rainfall and temperature) covering the period 1981–2021. The results showed an average annual temperature of 27.5 °C. Maximum temperatures occurred from October to December (≈ 28 °C), while minimum values are recorded between March and June (≈ 26.7 °C), representing thermal conditions generally favourable for maize production. In contrast, high rainfall variability constituted a major constraint: excessive rainfall leads to field flooding, whereas unexpected dry spells disrupted key phenological stages of the crop. Statistical analysis, including a regression between land tenure duration and the adoption of adaptive practices, revealed that resilient techniques remain weakly adopted. Farmers’ perceptions confirmed this vulnerability because 47.5% reported being slightly satisfied with climatic conditions, 38.3% dissatisfied and 10% not at all satisfied. Overall, the impacts of climatic variability represent a significant barrier to sustainable maize production in the Commune of Toviklin.