Growing Diversity – West Africa

TITLE OF EXPERIENCE: Integrated management of agricultural biological resources in the sub-prefecture of Adjohoun: The contribution of oral tradition

AUTHOR: AYIMANBOU group from the Akpadanou community

GOGNON group from the Fanvi community

ADJOGAN and MASSAVO groups from the Démè community

Organisation of Women for the Management of Energy, Environment and the promotion of Integrated Development (OFEDI)

COUNTRY AND REGION: Benin, Villages: Avlékété, Coastal Department

ECOLOGICAL ZONE: Ecological Region: Coastal region by the sea, with mangroves

ABSTRACT

In Adjohoun, as in the majority of African villages, oral tradition plays an important role in the conservation of biological resources. The strategy of local management of agrobiodiversity has been transmitted from generation to generation for thousands of years, through songs, stories, proverbs and riddles which provide the perfect channels for passing on traditional knowledge. A traditional arts competition with prizes, was organised on 11 August 2001 in the sub-prefecture of Adjohoun. A two hour video recording in national languages and French was made. The members of the jury put together a scale of criteria in order to evaluate the different groups objectively. This competition was an opportunity for the various competing groups and the local people to come together.

The following information and lessons can be drawn from the different performances:

The causes of the loss of agricultural biological diveristy, the excessive removal of trees and wildlife, the use of nets with very fine mesh which even catch young fish, 'MEDOKPOKONOU', intensive and un-restricted hunting, etc…

The use and benefits of agrobiodiversity, such as a guaranteed healthy and balanced diet, the many functions of trees (shade, wooden artwork, wood for energy, medicine, ornament….), the contribution of aquatic animals, etc…

The consequences of the loss of agricultural biological resources, with the loss of fish from lakes, the decrease in yield from cultivated land, dependence on the outside world for food, etc…

The methods of managing agricultural biological diversity locally, with the creation and respect of sacred forests, not killing animals who are asleep or gestating, educating children to ensure the transmission of local knowledge of the management of agrobiodiversity.

CONTACT:

Organisation des Femmes pour la gestion de l’Energie, de l’Environnement et la promotion d’un Développement Intégré (OFEDI) - 04 BP 1530, Cotonou – BENIN, Tél. 229 30 29 53 – Fax 229 30 30 84 ; Email : djinadoualice@yahoo.fr