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The adaptation of agricultural value chains to the impacts of climate change plays a crucial role in the sustainability of agri-food systems in Benin. Both sectors suffer from competition with international markets, a low level of professionalization among producers, limited awareness of financial services that are often not tailored to small-scale actors, and a business environment that does not support the economic inclusion of small producers.
In the fish farming sector, fluctuations in rainfall lead to flooding, causing fish to escape from ponds. Additionally, rising temperatures accelerate eutrophication (oxygen depletion) in water bodies. Most fish farmers are self-taught, and 75% of them are illiterate. The project addresses key challenges such as the lack of a reliable processing and distribution network, the shortage of high-quality fish feed, and its high costs.
In the citrus sector, the effects of climate change are linked to the use of varieties that are poorly adapted to drought and fluctuating water resources. The lack of water management further exacerbates the impact on orchards. At the same time, there is a growing spread of pests, particularly fruit flies, which severely affect production.
The intervention by Swisscontact aims to drive the transformation of these two sectors, enabling small-scale producers to participate in market developments while fostering sustainable systemic changes that better prepare them for the impacts of climate change. This approach promotes the inclusion of small producers, creates new services and jobs, and ultimately contributes to higher incomes and improved food security.
For the citrus sector, this means increasing awareness of organic fertilizers and pesticides while improving their availability and distribution. At the same time, farmers need to rethink their production methods. Due to water scarcity, micro-irrigation systems that use minimal water while optimizing harvests have proven effective. Swisscontact supports this transition through targeted interventions, including the coordination of public funding institutions and the development of private agricultural financial services that facilitate microloans. This helps bridge a critical financing gap, allowing farmers and nursery owners to adapt their production methods to climate change and make the necessary investments.
In the fish farming sector, the project promotes the use of a locally produced, organic alternative to imported fish feed, made from fly larvae, which can directly replace conventional fish feed. While this proven method is still relatively unknown and does not yet meet the demand of fish farmers, the project focuses on professionalizing the production of this organic fish feed, including certification and market awareness. Additionally, fish farmers will gain access to financing options, enabling them to scale up production, reduce the cost of fish feed manufacturing, and strengthen the resilience of the sector.
Through the project, small-scale producers in fish farming and citrus production are empowered to adopt climate-resilient practices and invest in agroecological production. Additionally, by strengthening networks and structuring value chains, they are better integrated into market activities, enabling them to increase their income and create new jobs.
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.