Abstract

Hamawa Y and Mapongmetsem P. M

Homegardens are considered as a sustainable production system in the tropics, which contributes to biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was the description of crop diversity, structure and management of homegardens in Galim-Tignere and their typology. For this, structured interviews had been realized beside 150 householders. These interviews were completed by dendrometric measurement on ligneous and the meteorological data were recorded. In all, 212 species were identified mainly distributed in staple food, fruit, vegetable, spice or medicinal plants. The number of strata of vegetation differed according to age and size of homegarden. The climatic conditions were moderate inside the homegardens rather than outside of them. The cluster analysis showed three groups that differed according to their composition of species. When the homegardens were kept well, they constitute an excellent area of biodiversity conservation and attenuate the more rough climatic conditions. However important efforts could be done in order to sensitize the peasants on the organization, improvement and the sustainable management of the agroforestry systems.