REGULAR ARTICLES Towards community-based in situ conservation strategies: a typological analysis of Borgou cattle herding systems in northeastern Benin Hilaire S. S. Worogo 1 & Rachidi Idrissou 1 & Alassan S. Assani 1 & Josias S. Adjassin 1 & Maximilien Azalou 1 & Brice G. C. Assogba 1 & Yaya Idrissou 1 & Cham D. A. Alabi 1 & Ibrahim T. Alkoiret 1 Received: 29 June 2019 /Accepted: 23 September 2019 # Springer Nature B.V. 2019 Abstract A thorough knowledge of cattle herding systems is very important for planning sustainable genetic improvement and conserva- tion strategies. This paper is initiated to characterize Benin native Borgou cattle farming systems in its department of origin by mean of survey including 180 cattle farmers owning at least one phenotype of that breed. Using multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical ascending classification, four groups of Borgou cattle farms have been identified. The first group qualified as “semi-intensive purebred Borgou cattle farming” own high numbers (87.2 ± 3.95 heads) purchased and reared with the view to promote its genetic improvement, its production, and its conservation as Benin animal genetic resource. The second group (sedentary purebred Borgou cattle farming) is represented by Bariba ethnic group with small numbers (22.18 ± 0.71 heads) of purebred Borgou cattle used mainly for draught. Cattle farmers of the third group are “large transhumant of Zebu and Borgou crossbred cattle farmers” represented by Fulani and Gando ethnic groups whose herds are generally composed of high numbers (75.20 ± 3.43 heads) of cattle acquired by purchasing, inheriting, and fostering. The last one is the “small transhumant of Zebu and Borgou crossbred cattle farming” with an average herd size of 31.98 ± 0.72 heads. Cattle farming is their main activity and animals are used for the production of milk and cheese. These distinctions between Borgou cattle farmers can be an anchorage point for designing sustainable community-based in situ conservation strategies for safeguarding this local breed in its original cradle. Keywords Borgou cattle . Cattle farmers . Multiple correspondence analysis . Benin Introduction The development of conservation strategies for indigenous breeds in developing countries should be a priority in order to prevent and limit genetic losses due to uncontrolled cross- breeding in traditional herds. Nearly 100 livestock breeds dis- appeared between 2000 and 2014 and the proportion of ani- mals at risk of extinction is increasing (FAO 2019). In Benin, several local breeds belonging to the Benin’ s animal genetic heritage are also threatened with extinction and the interven- tion policies in the field of livestock production in rural areas in Benin are generally limited to annual vaccination and deworming campaigns. However, the achievement of the sus- tainable development goals must imperatively take into ac- count the realities and the efforts made by the farmers in tra- ditional farms for safeguarding the remaining native breeds such as the Borgou breed. The department of Borgou in Benin is considered to be the cradle of this cattle breed. The Borgou breed is said to be a stabilized cross between the Zebu white Fulani breed and taurine breeds (Epstein 1971; Domingo 1976). According to Domingo (1976), the dominant coat of the Borgou cattle breed is white or gray, sometimes black and white, and the extremities (muzzle, vulva, hollow of the ear, eyebrow, and hoof) are generally black. The Borgou cattle breed has been subjected to crossbreeding with exotic breeds (Gir and Girolando) in ex situ conservation farm (Idrissou 2004; Hounkpevi 2005) but the results were not satisfactory because the exotic breeds failed to adapt to the living conditions of the Borgou breed. On the other hand, * Hilaire S. S. Worogo hilairov@yahoo.fr; hilairov@gmail.com 1 Laboratory of Ecology, Health and Animal Productions (LESPA), University of Parakou, P.O. Box 123, Parakou, Benin Tropical Animal Health and Production https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02101-y