HIV/AIDS orphans as farmers: uncovering pest knowledge differences through an ethnobiological approach in Benin

The erosion of local/indigenous firming knowledge in the face of HIV/AIDS deaths in Africa has been noted as a point of concerti in the literature and by organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. These concerns are about a break in the transmission of knowledge from adults (deceased parents) to children (orphans). Ultimately, erosion of fanning knowledge is implied. This paper examines one aspect of knowledge, using an ethnobiological approach that is language based. Free-listing elicitation of pests in maize fields was conducted with 45 child orphans, 15 non-orphan children, and 30 adults in rural Benin. A cognitive salience index (CSI) was developed and an advanced analysis of the CSI scores was conducted examining the score differences between child orphans and non-orphan children and adults. The results indicate that orphaned children were more knowledgeable than non-orphaned children. One-parent orphans residing with the surviving parent are more knowledgeable than double orphans firming on their own. Non-affected adults and their children scored significantly lower than AIDS-affected adults and children. Other variables including gender and age were further examined to explain some of the observed differences. The findings indicate that there is a need for rethinking the implications of HIV/AIDS on farming knowledge.