More Market, Less Poverty, But Also More Sustainable Land Use?

The main question in this research is to what extent agriculture on fragile slopes would become more sustainable if the farmers were given more possibilities for selling their products and acquiring production resources. An empirical study conducted in northern Benin demonstrates that a more accessible market does not lead to substantial increase in soil erosion control measures. The results indicated clearly that a closer market has positive effects on the yields of grain, and provides farmers with more opportunities to grow other, more commercial, crops or to undertake other profitable activities. Investments in an improved infrastructure can therefore contribute to improved agricultural returns, and these higher returns increase the attractiveness of soil conservation.