Beninclusif - Dynamic markets for sustainable agricultural products

The project

Fish farming sector

Despite annual growth of over 7%, development of the agricultural sector is beleaguered by extensive problems. These include, among others, the use of rudimentary equipment, lack of access to high-quality inputs (fish fry and feed), stakeholders being poorly organised, and inadequate market access. The sector depends heavily on imports. Over 214,000 tonnes of fish are consumed annually in Benin, but local production constitutes no more than 50,000 tonnes, or 23%, with the remainder imported. This means a substantial loss of hard currency totalling more than 94 billion FCFA (15,667,000 CHF) each year.

Citrus sector

This sector benefits neither from state subsidies nor from any development projects up to now. The sector offers high potential, but at the same time it faces immense challenges such as weak organisation and collaboration between stakeholders, a lack of specific, appropriate inputs or adequate modern processing technologies, as well as access to credit to facilitate investment in modern equipment. Oranges, two varieties of which are planted, are the most important citrus fruit in Benin. There is barely any processing as the fruit is not well suited to it. Consequently, a high percentage of production is sold on to Nigeria in poor condition, or else improperly processed or simply rots, which results in considerable post-harvest losses.

The primary objective of the project is to improve living conditions for local actors through more jobs and higher incomes.

Fish farming

• production and supply of quality fish fry
• promotion of industrial feed and introduction of alternative inputs
• modernisation of fish farming
• introduction of innovations in fish farming
• organising collaboration among actors in fish farming
• improved market access

Citrus farming

• application of fertilizer and plant protection
• planting of new seedlings and thus the availability of improved orange varieties for nurseries
• strengthening the technical capacities of nurseries, producers, and processors
• organising collaboration among actors in the citrus sector
• improved market access

Project areas: seven Départements in the south and southwest of Benin

Fish farming: Ouémé - Plateau - Atlantique - Littoral and Mono

Citrus fruits: Zou and Couffo.

To ensure effective implementation of project activities and achieve systemic and sustainable change, the project is applying a sector-wide approach through: 

• implementation of new business models
• monitoring and assessing results

Target groups:

Fish farming sector (30% women)

• 2,000 fish farmers
• 500 processors

Citrus sector (15% women)

• 100 nurseries
• 1,000 tree farms
• 25 processors

Financing partners

This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.