Tropentag, September 19 - 21, 2012 in Göttingen "Resilience of agricultural systems against crises"

Value Chain Promotion for Food Security in Small-Scale Farming Context: Results of two Year Experiences in Atacora-Donga Region, Benin

¹Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Conservation and Management of Natural Resources (ProCGRN), Benin
²University of Parakou, Dept. of Rural Economics and Sociology, Benin

Abstract

During the food price crisis in 2008, the German cooperation programme for agriculture and resource conservation has formulated a food security programme co-financed by the European community. Between October 2009 and October 2011, the food security programme Atacora/Donga (PASA) in the northwest of Benin worked with about 90.000 small scale farmer households to improve productivity of rice and corn. A special attention was made on the processing and marketing of cereals. Activities were planned and implemented using the value chain approach ValueLinks, with special regards to economic potential and promotion of women activities in the value chain. The implication of all stakeholders from public and private sector has allowed a strong ownership. The final evaluation in January 2012 revealed:
· An increase of cereal productiveness of 40 % (rice) up to 50 % (corn)
· The rate of local processing of rice produced in the region passed from 24 % in 2009 to 50 % in 2010 with an improved quality.
· An increase of more than 20 % of income for women participating at the processing trainings
· Food security in the region
New strategies for input supply, training and private sector participation in the value chain approach ensure durability for a long-term food security in the region. The active involvement of local stakeholders at different stages of planning and implementation contribute now to a better integration of the value chain approach in local development plans. The public agricultural training agency helps to stimulate private investments in agriculture and processing with Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

Keywords: Benin, food security, value chain approach

Contact Address: Horst Oebel, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Conservation and Management of Natural Resources (ProCGRN), B.P.322, Natitingou, Benin, e-mail: horst.oebelgiz.de