« Champ-École Paysan », une approche pédagogique participative pour l’amélioration de la lutte contre les vecteurs du paludisme en zone de riziculture irriguée au Bénin
Creators: name: DJÈGBÈ, Innocent
name: LOKO, Yêyinou Laura Estelle
name: HESSOU-DJOSSOU, Donald
name: GOUNOU BOUKARI, Massioudou Koto Yérima
name: GBAGUIDI, Brice
name: ADÉOTI, Razack
name: AKOGBÉTO, Martin
name: DJOUAKA, Rousseau
name: CHANDRE, Fabrice
Publisher: name: MTSI
Year: 2023

description: “Farmer Field School”, a participatory educational approach for improving the fight against malaria vectors in irrigated rice-growing areas in Benin Background &amp; rationale. Malaria is a major health problem in Benin where it is the main cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under 5 and pregnant women. Although the vast majority of malaria cases occurs in rural and agricultural areas and are often associated with development projects, very few interventions target the agro-ecosystem. In Benin, irrigated rice growing is expanding to meet the increasing demand of the population. However, continuous flooding and tillage systems induce the development and proliferation of malaria and other diseases vectors. Intermittent flooding of rice plots and minimal tillage can reduce significantly the proliferation of mosquitoes including Anopheles in rice fields. However, the dissemination and implementation of these agricultural practices require community-wide action for greater effectiveness. As part of strengthening the capacity of farming communities in the fight against malaria vectors, the “Farmer Field School” appears to be an innovative approach. This learning by doing method promotes interactions between groups of producers to disseminate proven technologies. This study aims to disseminate among rice producers the agricultural practices of intermittent flooding and minimal tillage, likely to reduce the proliferation of malaria vectors in the rice fields. Materials &amp; methods. This study was carried out in the rice-growing perimeter of Malanville, Benin (11° 52’ 5’’ North, 3° 22’ 59’’ East) which covers an area of 516 hectares. Farmer Field Schools were set up after a basic survey at producer level. This survey was carried out through in-depth interview, focus group discussions and direct field observation with producers. Focus groups discussions and interviews made it possible to understand the perception of rice farmers on the link between rice production and the transmission of malaria. In order to disseminate new agricultural practices such as intermittent flooding and minimal tillage among producers, twelve plots have been set up. Farmer Field Schools were monitored weekly with rice producers accompanied by a facilitator and a medical entomologist (learning facilitator or moderator) helping the farmers with the collection and identification of mosquito larvae. According to the different stages of rice development (transplanting, tillering, maturation), the mosquito larvae were collected in the test and control plots from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the dipping method. Then the water in the test compartments (intermittent flooding) was emptied. A cycle of 7 days of flooding and 2 days of drying was carried out for intermittent flooding. Mosquito larvae were identified morphologically using the identification key and Anopheles genus larvae were isolated in plastic cups. The impacts of intermittent flooding and minimum tillage in reducing breeding sites and larval densities were established by determining and comparing the larval densities of mosquitoes and of Anopheles between the test and control plots. Results. Direct observations in the field allowed to identify three tillage systems, which include the use of tiller (28%), plow (66%) and hoe (6%) on the rice field. Continuous flooding was the only irrigation system used by farmers. The water used for irrigation comes either from boreholes installed individually or from the Niger River. The volume of water used varies with the seasons, the size of the farms and the variety of rice grown. Farmers observe that the nuisance of mosquitoes increases during the rice production period with an outbreak of malaria cases, especially among children, which leads to crowds in health centers. The preventive measures against malaria among farmers are the use of impregnated mosquito nets distributed free of charge by the national program against malaria, and of insecticide bombs or spirals. Considering the development stages of the rice, the larval densities varied according to the treatments. Overall, minimal tillage applied to intermittent flooding significantly reduced the density of mosquito larvae of all species. The reduction rates were 10.5, 5.4 and 2.5 during transplanting, tillering and maturation, respectively. Considering only the Anopheles larvae, minimal tillage applied to intermittent flooding reduced their density by 16, 5.5 and 4 respectively during transplanting, tillering and maturation. Discussion/conclusion. The rice-growing area of Malanville has many favorable conditions for rice production, including the presence of water supply sources such as the Niger River located near the rice field and numerous boreholes. The availability of water pockets for mosquito breeding during irrigation appeared to contribute to the extension of malaria transmission. The present study showed that the intermittent flooding coupled with minimal tillage could reduce the proliferation of malaria vectors. The results suggested that with technical support to farmers through the “Farmer Field School”, the malaria incidence could be reduced in the farming community. « Champ-École Paysan », une approche pédagogique participative pour l’amélioration de la lutte contre les vecteurs du paludisme en zone de riziculture irriguée au Bénin Introduction/justification. La riziculture irriguée occupe une place importante dans l’économie des pays tropicaux d’Afrique où le paludisme sévit et demeure un problème majeur de santé publique. Concilier l’expansion de la riziculture irriguée et la lutte contre les vecteurs du paludisme s’avère un important défi. Matériels et méthodes. Afin de vulgariser auprès des producteurs les pratiques agricoles telles que l’irrigation intermittente et le labour minimal, 12 « champs-écoles paysans (CEP) » ont été installés dans le périmètre rizicole de Malanville au nord du Bénin. L’impact de l’irrigation intermittente et du labour minimal dans la réduction des densités larvaires d’anophèles d’une part et de tous les culicidés d’autre part, a été établi par la comparaison des densités des larves au niveau des parcelles tests et témoins. Résultats. Seuls les systèmes de labour profond et d’irrigation permanente sont actuellement pratiqués dans les rizières de Malanville. À l’issue des CEP, les agriculteurs semblent maîtriser la reconnaissance des gîtes, des larves, et le cycle du développement des moustiques. Le labour minimal combiné à l’irrigation intermittente a réduit significativement la densité des larves de moustiques. Les taux de réduction ont été respectivement de 10,5 ; 5,4 et 2,5 pendant le repiquage, le tallage et la maturation. Pour les larves du genre Anopheles, les taux de réduction ont été respectivement de 16 ; 5,5 et 4. Le labour minimal combiné à l’irrigation intermittente et le labour profond combiné à l’irrigation intermittente ont des taux de réduction similaires pendant le repiquage et la maturation. Discussion/conclusion. L’irrigation intermittente associée au labour minimal apparaît efficace pour réduire la densité des larves de moustiques. Elle peut contribuer à la baisse de la nuisance causée par les moustiques et participer à la réduction de l’incidence palustre en milieu rizicole.
description: MTSI, Vol. 3 No 3 (2023): MTSI-Revue