Impact of Climate Change on Cotton Production: Case of Savannah Region, Northern Togo

Among the numerous problems that are facing cotton farmers, climate change is one of the most important still out of their control. Adaptation appears to be one of the best alternatives. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of climate change on cotton production in the Savannah region of Togo. The study was conducted with 172 cotton farmers sampled randomly in many stages in order to determine the impact of climate change on cotton production. The impact assessment of climate change on cotton production was carried out using ATE (Average Treatment Effect) and ATET (Average Treatment Effect on the Treated) models introduced by Rubin in 1974. The results show that climate change has a significant negative impact at 1% level on cotton production observed with an average decrease per farmer of 2330 kg, on the yield efficiency with an average decrease of 515 kg/ha and on the income level with an average decrease of US $745 per farmer. Climate change reduces the level of soil fertility, favours pest resistance and leads to an increase in consumption of cotton production inputs per unit of area. The study also reveals a low level of adaptation of cotton farmers to climate change. The expansion of cultivated areas remains the main reaction of cotton farmers to climate’s negative effects. Raising producers’ awareness on the reality of climate change and adopting adaptation techniques and strategies would greatly improve cotton farmers’ adaptive capacity and positively affect cotton production in Savannah region, and Togo in general.

Anthropogenic Threats to Degraded Forest Land in the Savannahs’ Region of Togo from 1984 to 2020, West Africa

This study focuses on the landscape dynamics of the savannahs’ region in the far north of Togo. Based on a literature review and satellite images analysis using GIS and remote sensing, the study aims to ascertain the effects of anthropogenic threats on the forest coverage of the Savannahs’ Region between 1984 to 2020. The objective is to clarify the dynamics of land use in the region from 1984 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2020. The findings indicate a significant decline in forest coverage within the region from 1984 to 2020, a trend attributed to land use patterns. Dry forests in the Savannah region are largely converted to farmlands, housing, dry savannahs or agroforestry parks, leading to a steady reduction in forest areas.

Mapping and Floristic Diversity of the Nakpadjouak Community Forest, Tami Canton, Togo (West Africa)

Since 2015, community forests have been promoted in Togo as an alternative to protect areas from degradation and as a means of contributing to forest landscape restoration. The study focuses on the Nakpadjouak Community Forest (NCF) in Tami (Togo, West Africa) which contributes to community forests sustainable management. It aims in (i) mapping forest ecosystems and analysing their dynamic and (ii) characterizing the floristic diversity of the NCF. The ecosystems were mapped and their dynamic was evaluated based on Google Earth images of 2014 and 2020. Floristic and forestry inventories were carried out using the transect technique in a sample of 20 plots of 50 m × 20 m. The NCF was made up mainly by wooded/shrub savannahs (95.37%) and croplands/fallow (4.63%) in 2014. These two land use types undergone changes over the 6 years prior to 2020. By 2020, the NCF had 3 land use types: wooded/shrub savannahs (77.59%), open forest/wooded savannahs (22.23%), and croplands/fallows (0.18%). A total of 89 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 28 families were recorded within the NCF. The dominant species are: Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. and Combretum collinum Fresen. followed by Pteleopsissuberosa Engl. & Diels, Annona senegalensis Pers. The most common species are: Lannea acida A.Rich. s.l., A. senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertner subsp. paradoxa, C. collinum and Acacia dudgeonii Craib ex Holland. Due to its small area of just 40 hectares and its diverse plant life, this community forest of Savannahs Region is a significant biodiversity hotspot and warrants conservation efforts.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Protecting Guinea Fowl from Mortalities Used in Traditional Breeding in Northern Togo

A study on the evaluation of the effectiveness of three traditional methods of protecting guinea fowl from mortality was carried out at CRA-SS （Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane S6che） in northem Togo. Guinea fowl were divided into 5 batches, of which 3 batches received prophylactic medical treatment including plant decoctions, the 4th batch was followed by a medical prophylaxis program as a control group and the 5th batch considered as a negative control, has not received any prophylactic treatment. The results showed that a mortality rate of 25% for the reference lot and two other batches which received plant decoctions （Euphorbia poissonii or Khaya senegalensis） were recorded against a rate of 87.5% in the batch of guinea fowl which received the decoction of Pteleopsis suberosa. Meanwhile, regardless of weight growth, daily average gain （GMQ） or food consumption, no significant difference was observed （p 〉 0.05） between the guinea fowl that received a baseline health monitoring and those having taken the decoction orE. poissonii. On the other hand, the values recorded in these two batches of guinea fowl differed statistically from those in the guinea fowl that received the decoction of K. senegalensis. Although the decoction of K. senegalensis has a protective effect in guinea fowl, the growth of guinea fowl has been slowed down. On the basis of these results, it appears that two endogenous practices tested （K. senegalensis or E. poissonii） have positive effects. However, it would be desirable to carry out a toxicity test in order to determine the recommended doses.

Appraisal of Groundwater Potential of Fadama Areas within Northern Nigeria: A Review

Nigeria is a country endowed with alluvial aquifers that occur along major river valleys, in low lying areas which are frequent to flooding during the rainy season. They are scattered across the ecological zones of Guinea savannah, Sudan savannah and the Sahel Savannah and are the thickest along the river Niger and river Benue. The irrigated flood plains (Fadama) are formed by the deposition of transported weathered exogenic terrigenous materials derived from the surrounding basement rocks. These shallow aquifers are mostly unconfined and are recharged through flash flooding events which make them hold great groundwater resources for dry season farming. The fertility of the soils with their residual moisture content makes them attractive for dry season farming. The potential and importance of Fadama agriculture for food production and economic development are crucial, given the recent rising food prices, climatic changes, environmental risks associated with “modern” agriculture, modelled farming systems and population growth. Fadama areas are therefore of critical importance to the survival and economic development of millions of rural dwellers. This paper reviews the groundwater potential of the Floodplains of Fadama for dry farming systems in semi-arid northern Nigeria.