Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa
Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa remains below potential due to limited water control, inefficient nutrient management, and climate variability. In Benin, inland valleys offer high potential for climate resilient rice intensification, yet productivity is constrained by unmanaged hydrological r...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Informe técnico |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/180381 |
| _version_ | 1855535770111049728 |
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| author | Akodekou, A.D. Dossou-Yovo, E.R. |
| author_browse | Akodekou, A.D. Dossou-Yovo, E.R. |
| author_facet | Akodekou, A.D. Dossou-Yovo, E.R. |
| author_sort | Akodekou, A.D. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa remains below potential due to limited water control, inefficient
nutrient management, and climate variability. In Benin, inland valleys offer high potential for climate
resilient rice intensification, yet productivity is constrained by unmanaged hydrological regimes and low
nutrient-use efficiency. This study evaluated the locally led Smart-Valleys approach, which engages
farmers in co-designing, constructing, and collectively managing low-cost water control structures
adapted to local topography and rainfall patterns. Multi-location, multi-season field trials across two
contrasting agro-ecological zones, co-designed and co-managed with farmers, assessed the effects of
Smart-Valleys combined with three fertilization regimes and three rice varieties on hydrological status,
grain yield, and nutrient efficiency. Results show that Smart-Valleys significantly improved the
hydrological regime, increasing water table levels, soil moisture by 9%, and reducing the Soil Dryness Index
by 1.56-fold compared with undeveloped valleys, thereby buffering intra-seasonal dry spells and creating
favorable root-zone conditions. Agronomic performance was enhanced, with grain yield increasing by 43%
and nitrogen uptake by 36%, particularly under site-specific fertilization, demonstrating improved input
use efficiency. These findings highlight that Smart-Valleys represents a scalable, locally led adaptation that
strengthens water and soil system resilience, mitigates drought risk, and enhances rice productivity and
nutrient efficiency in inland valley ecosystems. |
| format | Informe técnico |
| id | CGSpace180381 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1803812026-01-23T02:13:19Z Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa Akodekou, A.D. Dossou-Yovo, E.R. climate smart agriculture adaptation rice nutrients Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa remains below potential due to limited water control, inefficient nutrient management, and climate variability. In Benin, inland valleys offer high potential for climate resilient rice intensification, yet productivity is constrained by unmanaged hydrological regimes and low nutrient-use efficiency. This study evaluated the locally led Smart-Valleys approach, which engages farmers in co-designing, constructing, and collectively managing low-cost water control structures adapted to local topography and rainfall patterns. Multi-location, multi-season field trials across two contrasting agro-ecological zones, co-designed and co-managed with farmers, assessed the effects of Smart-Valleys combined with three fertilization regimes and three rice varieties on hydrological status, grain yield, and nutrient efficiency. Results show that Smart-Valleys significantly improved the hydrological regime, increasing water table levels, soil moisture by 9%, and reducing the Soil Dryness Index by 1.56-fold compared with undeveloped valleys, thereby buffering intra-seasonal dry spells and creating favorable root-zone conditions. Agronomic performance was enhanced, with grain yield increasing by 43% and nitrogen uptake by 36%, particularly under site-specific fertilization, demonstrating improved input use efficiency. These findings highlight that Smart-Valleys represents a scalable, locally led adaptation that strengthens water and soil system resilience, mitigates drought risk, and enhances rice productivity and nutrient efficiency in inland valley ecosystems. 2025 2026-01-22T09:21:26Z 2026-01-22T09:21:26Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/180381 en Open Access application/pdf Akodekou, A.D. Dossou-Yovo, E.R. 2025. Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa. Activity report. Benin: AfricaRice. |
| spellingShingle | climate smart agriculture adaptation rice nutrients Akodekou, A.D. Dossou-Yovo, E.R. Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa |
| title | Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa |
| title_full | Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa |
| title_fullStr | Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa |
| title_short | Smart-Valleys: a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of Benin, West Africa |
| title_sort | smart valleys a locally led adaptation solution that enhanced rice yield and nutrient uptake in inland valleys of benin west africa |
| topic | climate smart agriculture adaptation rice nutrients |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/180381 |
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