Perceptions of Climate Risks and Migration of Agricultural Producers in Northern Benin

Abstract The question of whether environmental conditions influence human migration has attracted considerable attention from researchers in recent years. Despite this high level of interest, little is known about the relationship between producers’ perceptions of environmental threats and their decision to migrate, particularly in developing countries where they are increasingly vulnerable. To address this issue, a survey was conducted in the cotton zone of northern Benin to collect data on 630 producers’ perceptions of climate threats. Results from econometric modeling indicate that perceived adverse environmental conditions increase the migration of agricultural producers to new destinations. Overall, the results support that migration is not a direct consequence of environmental change but rather an adaptive strategy deemed efficient by migrants to cope with the adverse consequences of environmental change.