TITLE:
Factors, Ecological Preferences, Varieties and Tomato Production Techniques in the Plateau Department of Benin
AUTHORS:
Cossi Guy Wokou
KEYWORDS:
Plateau Department, Agricultural Production, Ecological Factors and Preferences
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study aims to analyze the factors, ecological preferences, varieties, and techniques of tomato production in the Plateau Department of Benin. The methodology focused on the data used, its collection, processing, and analysis of the results. The methodological approach relies on the use of climatological, pedological, and socioeconomic data, supplemented by direct observations and field surveys conducted with 164 farming households distributed across the five communes of the Plateau Department. Among these households, 128 practicing tomato production constituted the subsample selected for the analysis of ecological preferences, cultivated varieties, and production techniques. The results show that the Plateau Department benefits from a Sudanian-Guinean climate with two rainy seasons and annual rainfall ranging from 800 to 1400 mm, allowing for two tomato growing seasons per year. Ferrallitic, hydromorphic, and ferruginous soils, as well as vertisols, are favorable to tomato production, while waterways and plains facilitate off-season market gardening. Agriculture involves more than 90% of households, thus providing a significant workforce and a potentially crucial market for tomato production. Finally, 92% of respondents use the local Akikon variety, while ridging is considered essential by 89% of producers and clearing land before planting by 87%.