Producer and Consumer Focus Group Discussion Transcripts on Fonio and Jute Mallow in Atacora, Benin

This dataset comprises cleaned and transcribed focus group discussion (FGD) data collected from producers and consumers in the Atacora region of Benin. The discussions explored production practices, varietal choice, seed sourcing, farm characteristics, consumption preferences, affordability, seasonal availability, and personal food environment drivers for fonio and jute mallow. Producer FGDs captured socio-demographic characteristics and detailed insights into agronomic constraints and decision processes, while consumer FGDs focused on consumption frequency, varietal preferences, factors influencing accessibility, and adaptation strategies. Findings are intended to support qualitative analyses of value chain dynamics, household consumption behavior, and demand attributes for underutilized crops in rural West Africa. Methodology:Data were collected through qualitative focus group discussions conducted in the communes of Boukombé and Natitingou, Atacora Department, Benin. Trained facilitators led sessions with 6 to 8 participants per group, ensuring gender balance and representation of small to medium producers and diverse consumer profiles. Discussions were audio-recorded and complemented by detailed field notes capturing non-verbal cues. Participatory tools such as seasonal calendars and four-cell analysis matrices were used to stimulate discussion on seasonality, crop availability, and production-consumption relationships. Sessions lasted up to 90 minutes and were conducted in appropriate local languages with translation support where necessary.

本数据集包含经清理并转录完成的焦点小组讨论（Focus Group Discussion, FGD）数据，采集自贝宁阿塔科拉地区的生产者与消费者群体。本次讨论围绕福尼奥米（fonio）与黄麻锦葵（jute mallow）的生产实践、品种选择、种源获取、农场特征、消费偏好、可负担性、季节性供应情况，以及个人食品环境驱动因素展开。生产者焦点小组讨论记录了社会人口统计学特征，以及关于农艺限制因素与决策过程的详细洞察；而消费者焦点小组讨论则聚焦于消费频次、品种偏好、影响可及性的因素，以及适应策略。本数据集的研究结果旨在为西非农村地区未充分利用作物的价值链动态、家庭消费行为与需求属性开展质性分析提供支撑。研究方法：数据通过质性焦点小组讨论采集，讨论地点位于贝宁阿塔科拉省的布孔贝（Boukombé）与纳蒂廷古（Natitingou）两市镇。经过培训的协调员主持每组6至8名参与者的讨论，确保性别均衡，并覆盖中小生产者与各类消费者群体。讨论全程进行录音，并辅以记录非语言线索的详细现场笔记。研究采用季节日历、四格分析矩阵等参与式工具，以引导讨论围绕季节性、作物供应情况以及生产-消费关系展开。每组讨论时长最长为90分钟，以适配的当地语言开展，必要时配备翻译支持。