BIOPHYSICAL DETERMINANTS AND MODES OF ACCESS TO RURAL LAND IN THE COMMUNE OF AKPRO-MISSERETE IN BENIN

Addressing rural land issues is essential for reducing land disputes in rural areas. The aim of this study is to analyze the biophysical factors and modes of access to rural land in the Akpro-Misserete Commune in Benin. The methodological approach adopted is based on data collection, processing, and results analysis. The information obtained was processed manually, and the results were analyzed using appropriate software. A total of 102 households were surveyed in their real-world setting. The results show that the population of the Akpro-Missérété commune increased from 34,074 inhabitants in 1979 to 97,424 in 2013, reflecting strong population growth and increased pressure on land resources. The study is based on data from the 1979, 1992, 2002, and 2013 General Population and Housing Censuses (RGPH), as well as a socio-anthropological survey conducted with 102 households. Access to land is primarily through inheritance (57%) and purchase (32%), while other methods are less prevalent. According to the results presented, renting accounts for 9%, gifts 2%, and loans 3% of land access methods. The natural environment is favorable to agricultural activities, thanks in particular to the presence of fertile soils, lowlands, marshes, and a hydrographic network composed of several rivers. Land management relies both on traditional mechanisms involving customary authorities and on modern systems such as the Rural Land Plan (RLP).