From 29 September to 3 October 2026, Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Adin Yéton Bloukounon Goubalan, led an evaluation mission in southern Benin. The delegation visited ten targeted communes: Adjohoun, Kétou, Djidja, Aplahoué, Djakotomey, Klouékanmè, Dogbo, Lokossa, Toffo, and Zè. The mission aimed to assess the pilot phase of the Agricultural Productivity and Social Protection Program for Farmers.
The minister was accompanied by Minister Counselor Bio Guéra Sacca Kina and representatives of professional organizations. The delegation met directly with farmers to inspect crop conditions, verify the delivery of inputs, and confirm the effective application of prescribed technical guidelines.
Findings on Maize Fields and Support Received
Across the five-day tour, evaluators observed satisfactory vegetative growth in maize fields. According to project managers, this progress reflects a gradual adoption of technical guidelines and technology packages by participating farmers.
Interviewed producers confirmed receiving the inputs allocated under the program. Beneficiaries accessed the required seeds and inputs for field management, alongside technical support. The mechanism also includes a direct cash subsidy: each registered farmer received 50,000 CFA francs per hectare as campaign funds, transferred via Mobile Money without intermediaries.
Farmers’ Feedback and Calls for Expansion
Farmers consulted during the mission expressed strong satisfaction with the support program. Many requested its rapid expansion to other agricultural crops. Some urged the minister to convey their gratitude to President Romuald Wadagni for addressing their needs.
However, farmers also highlighted challenges on their lands, particularly uncertainties caused by erratic rainfall and climate disruptions affecting planting schedules.
Farmer-Herder Conflicts in Fields
Beyond climate constraints, livestock damage to cultivated plots emerged as a major concern in several localities. In response, the Minister of Agriculture reiterated the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
To resolve recurring disputes, the ministry announced upcoming reforms to regulate relations and end tensions between the two groups.
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The facts in this article come from the following sources:
- 1Productivité agricole : Les premiers signaux du terrain sont encourageantsGouvernement de la République du Bénin · 6 October 2026 official source
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