Author(s)

Julien Adounkpe^1*, Cyriaque Agboton², Waliou Amoussa Hounkpatin³, Basile Kounouhewa⁴, Clement Ahouannou⁵, Brice Sinsin¹

¹Laboratory of Applied Ecology, LEA, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi , Republic of Benin.
²International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Republic of Benin.
³Laboratory of Human Nutrition, LNH, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Republic of Benin.
⁴Laboratoire de Physique de Rayonnement, LPR, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Republic du Benin.
⁵Laboratoire d’Energétique et de Mécanique Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey Calavi, Universite d’Abomey Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Republic of Benin.

This research was conducted in the framework of the feasibility study related to FOCUSED-Benin project, the 5^th work package of the YES-PV NIG BEN project financed by the German Government through its Ministry of Research and High Education (BMBF). The FOCUSED Benin project’s major objective is to protect the environment through the utilization of solar energy for drying agricultural products and table salt harvesting. Salt is important in human daily life. It is used for conservation of food, softening water, industrial processes, road de-icing, food seasoning, etc. Seawater evaporation, salt mining, and salt brine are the major sources of salt production worldwide. However, in West Africa, particularly in Benin Republic, table salt is produced using methods that negatively impact the ecology of the mangrove. This study aimed at investigating the current status of salt production in Benin Republic, its impact on the mangrove and its related health issues. Field visits, meeting with associations of women salt producers in the coastal region of the country, allowed to quantify the number of women associations dealing with salt production, their difficulties, and the impacts on the mangrove. Salt is a seasonal activity and is produced from January to May. One kilogram salt production, along with health issues reported by salt producers, requires approximately 1 kg of firewood obtained by cutting down mangrove. Salt price varies from 250CFA (€0.38) to 400FCFA (€0.61) per kg depending on the season. The women salt producers are not aware of the ecological consequences of mangrove destruction. Sources of firewood are becoming increasingly scarce and prices prohibitive. Sensitization is not efficient. An alternative method of harvesting salt by solar drying and new ideas for implementing this activity in a participatory approach was discussed with the different associations of salt producers.

Table Salt, Brine, Seawater Ecology, Mangrove, Health Issues

Adounkpe, J. , Agboton, C. , Hounkpatin, W. , Kounouhewa, B. , Ahouannou, C. and Sinsin, B. (2021) Qualitative Assessment of Table Salt Production Techniques in Southern Benin Republic, and Related Mangrove Destruction and Health Issues. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 12, 759-773. doi: 10.4236/fns.2021.127057.