Satellite data as a basis for planning studies of infrastructure and related rural development in Atacora Province,Benin, West Africa

Landsat satellite data has been used to provide information for integrated land resources, agriculture and rural access road planning in Atacora Province, Benin, to ensure that correct decisions are made on the location of feeder roads and best use is made of the terrain. A significant aspect of the interpretation programme involved using a method of terrain evaluation and land classification to provide a framework for planning and assessing all subsequent development projects and highway engineering activities within the Province. Use of this terrain classification, in conjunction with further sequential satellite coverage, is considered as a basis for monitoring and subsequently analysing the rleationship between feeder road construction and induced benefits within the rural agricultural development sector, and for the establishment of a system of data storage. The value of a data storage system is evaluated as a means of preventing wasteful repetition of survey effort and facilitating the transfer of relevant data on rural development to similar areas within Benin and throughout West Africa.