Organic cotton production as an adaptation option in north-west Benin

Organic agriculture is increasingly recognized as an adaptation measure to support sustainable livelihoods under a changing climate. This study assesses how it constitutes a suitable adaptation strategy in north-west Benin to make rural households more resilient to the increased likelihood of flooding, high-intensity rainfall or droughts. Based on household interviews, focus group discussions and expert interviews in villages around the Pendjari National Park, it was found that agricultural practices of organic cotton production directly reduced the most frequent climatic risks that households faced, and indirectly contributed to reducing economic risks and to empowering women. But there are also obstacles, such as the availability of sufficient organic material and the need for transport to dispersed fields, which currently limit adaptation potential.