This Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) proposes that Benin focuses on building a resilient economy, with investment and policy options primarily targeted at adapting to climate change risks. The dependence of Benin’s economic structure on agriculture and informal employment makes its development path highly vulnerable to climate change in …
Scientists have called for quick, multi-institutional collaboration and co-ordinated action against the fall armyworm that has ravaged maize to avoid economic hardship for smallholders in the region and across Africa generally. "The frightening risk of the fall armyworm to food security in Africa must be recognised and tackled with a …
The West African nation of Togo has battled coastal erosion for decades, but now it’s with both a new sense of urgency and new strategic partners in the fight. The wind and waves are destroying between five and 10 meters of shoreline every year, with some spots seeing 25 meters …
This paper investigates the vulnerability of farm-based livelihood systems to climate shocks in the Niger basin of Benin using a household survey dataset relative to the 2012-2013 agricultural year. The integrated approach is used to assess the vulnerability to climate shocks as function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and …
A West African drive to clean up toxic fuels that campaigners say pose a health hazard to millions has run into difficulties less than two months after it was announced, according to importers, traders and other oil industry insiders. Late last year, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast unveiled …
The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a prime noctuid pest of maize on the American continents where it has remained confined despite occasional interceptions by European quarantine services in recent years. The pest has currently become a new invasive species in West and Central Africa where outbreaks were recorded for …
For a large majority of Euro-MPs, the G7’s decision to base its programme for food security in Africa on intensive agriculture is a mistake. The European parliament took its first official stance on the subject with the adoption of a report on the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition …
Dozens of people have died in Nigeria following a Lassa fever outbreak amid fears the death toll might increase. At least 44 people were declared dead across more than 10 states after being infected with the hemorrhagic fever. Authorities said the outbreak is under control and urged citizens to remain …
African countries have agreed to cooperate in setting limits for use of lead in paints with a view to phasing it out by 2020. This is because of its dangers to human beings, especially to children, and the environment. In a workshop jointly organised by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) …
Tapping the Markets: Opportunities for Domestic Investments in Water and Sanitation for the Poor presents the results of a detailed examination of market opportunities for the domestic private sector in the provision of piped water and on-site sanitation services in rural and semi-urban areas and of the commercial, policy, and …
The trophy hunting of lions Panthera leo is contentious due to uncertainty concerning conservation impacts and because of highly polarised opinions about the practice. African lions are hunted across at least ~558,000 km2, which comprises 27–32% of the lion range in countries where trophy hunting of the species is permitted. …
Pit latrines are one of the most common human excreta disposal systems in low-income countries, and their use is on the rise as countries aim to meet the sanitation-related target of the Millennium Development Goals. There is concern, however, that pit latrine discharges of chemical and microbial contaminants to groundwater …
President Barack Obama on Friday said the United States has a “moral imperative” to lead the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Africa despite shrinking national budgets around the world. Obama announced $3 billion in private sector pledges to help boost agriculture and food production in Africa. He said the …
Radio is still the most important mass medium in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to political liberalisation, the media landscape in many countries has become substantially more diverse since the 1990s.
'Wallpapering' huts with sheeting made from insecticide-treated plastic could be a new tool for malaria control, research in Benin shows. When used in combination with insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) in hut trials, the sheeting killed all mosquitoes, and completely prevented bites.
Benin has declared a state of emergency and called for international humanitarian aid after floods hit the south of the West African country. The government estimates that some 2,000 families have already been displaced by flooding caused by heavy rains and it appealed late Monday for immediate help to prevent …
India roots for endosulfan The small country of Benin banned the use of this organochlorine pesticide this year. When the US EPA made public its decision to review the registration of endosulfan early 2008, inviting comments, there was a deluge urging its ban; mid-2008 or so, US EPA was sued …
In 2002 CREPA initiated a regional research and demonstration programme on ecological sanitation in seven West African countries. ECOSAN is focused on simultaneously improving sanitation and food production. This is done by making urine and faeces more hygienic and then using them as safe fertilisers. Demonstrations showed that crops fertilised …
