ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a discussion of the role of indigenous soil and water conservation (SWC) techniques for agricultural intensification. It then argues that there is a strong rationale behind the promotion of indigenous SWC techniques in areas with unfavourable natural conditions and poor infrastructure. The chapter also discusses the different types and adoption rates of the most important indigenous SWC techniques that can be observed in the Boukombé region of north-west Benin. It shows that positive effects of SWC investments are only observed if one controls for household-specific constraints. The Projet de Gestion des Ressources Naturelles (PGRN) project has conducted a large study on indigenous SWC techniques in Boukombé in 1994. The chapter discusses multivariate regression techniques to estimate an agricultural production function for plot output taking into account inputs, plot characteristics, adoption of soil and water conservation techniques, household and village characteristics.
