Loko Y.L.E. auteur aut IRD Gbemavo C.D.S.J. auteur aut IRD Djedatin G. auteur aut IRD Ewedje E.E. auteur aut IRD Orobiyi A. auteur aut IRD Toffa J. auteur aut IRD Tchakpa C. auteur aut IRD Sedah P. auteur aut IRD Sabot François auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access The identification of technological and policy interventions allowing to improve the performance of Beninese rice systems is necessary to reduce the heavy dependence on rice imports. This study characterized the Beninese rice farming systems, identified the production constraints, and determinants of the adoption of improved varieties by farmers. Four hundred eighteen rice farm households were surveyed across 39 villages using participatory research tools and methods. Cluster analysis was used to classify the surveyed farm households and revealed four typologies of rice farming systems differentiated by 8 variables. These are, the intensive rice farming system (cluster 4; 33.7%), semi-intensive rice farming system (cluster 1; 31.8%), integrated rice-livestock farming system (cluster 3; 11.8%), and subsistence rice farming (cluster 2; 22.7%). The integrated rice-livestock farming system was the dominant type practiced in the northern Benin, while, it is the intensive rice farming system in the south. Fifteen production constraints across rice-growing areas were recorded. Our results suggest that to increase adoption of improved rice varieties, agricultural extension services should target landowners' farmers practicing off-season rice production, and having other sources of income. Initiatives to boost rice production in Benin should prioritize the establishment of formal agricultural credit and mechanization option policies. specialized BENIN 076 098 020 12 3959 [19 ] 2022 2045-2322 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010083760 10.1038/s41598-022-07946-2 2045-2322 [F B010083760] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010083760 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2022-12/010083760.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-03-28 2025-02-24 fdi:010083760 fre