Analysis of Squash (Cucurbitaceae) Production in NorthWestern Benin: Case Study of Djougou and Bassila Communes

Squash is one of the oldest crops produced in rural households in Africa as in Benin. It is a potential source of energy in the diet evidenced by its content of protein and lipids. The study aims to analyze the production of squash in the northwest of Benin. A total of 60 farmers were surveyed in two communes : Djougou and Bassila. The snowball sampling helped to establish the group of surveyed subjects. The data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed using statistical tools of SPSS v21 software. It appears from anlayzes that three (03) varieties of squash are produced in the north-west of Benin. Each of these varieties has special characteristics that influence the preferences of farmers about the cultivation of one or the other varieties. These assessments also define the market selling price. Out of the three (03) cultivated squash varieties, Lagenaria sicerania is the most widely grown in the study area, followed by Citrullus lanatus and Cucumeropsis edulis. The same trend is observed both for women and men. The analyzes revealed also that the variety Citrullus lanatus has not only the shortest cycle of production but also the highest yield. The yield of Citrullus lanatus varies between 1-1.2 tonnes/ha. Squash has different agronomic characteristics depending on the varieties grown. There is a great similarity between these varieties, however, some aspects like the shape of the pericarp, fruit color, resistance or not to insects attack help to distinguish varieties. As for the technical itinerary of production, it varies according varieties cultivated. Some varieties require more maintenance than others. Squash is used for various purposes in the study area. The main uses are selling, food, therapeutic treatments, traditional ceremonies and combustion. However, this crop is facing by certain constraints. The most important of those are financial, organizational, added by the lack of access to credit and lack of laborer. To face the numerous constraints, farmers proposed a series of actions that can help to develop this sector.