A remarkable transformation is taking place in Benin, where old cashew plantations are being restored, igniting a new era of prosperity for the country's second-largest export industry. Imagine the serene atmosphere of Donné Houangni's cashew plantation suddenly disrupted by the roar of a chainsaw. This is the sound of progress, as professional sawyer Pierre Hounhoulo skillfully cuts down large cashew trees, a crucial step in enhancing the plantation's yield.
Pierre is not alone in this endeavor; hundreds of sawyers, working alongside private service providers, are engaged in a campaign to rehabilitate cashew plantations and boost productivity. This initiative is part of the Agricultural Competitiveness and Export Diversification Project (PACOFIDE), funded by the World Bank. The project aims to strengthen Benin's export market presence for cashew, pineapple, and other horticultural products, while also improving food and nutritional security through irrigated rice production and market gardening.
The rehabilitation process involves four key tasks: thinning, pruning, skidding, and weeding. Pruning ensures better aeration and exposure to sunlight by removing low-hanging branches and superfluous growth. Thinning creates a 10-meter spacing between trees, optimizing productivity. Skidding involves transporting cut branches away from the site, while weeding eliminates unwanted vegetation.
Since 1997, Cocou Gabriel Agbélélé has cultivated 12 hectares of cashew trees. In 2022, he received assistance through PACOFIDE, which significantly boosted his yields. "I now harvest between five and six tons, compared to two to three tons previously," he shares. This support has enabled him to manage family expenses more effectively and pursue his plans.
Another farmer, Olivier Kodjo Azonnoudo, expresses his gratitude for the project's support. "Thanks to the interventions and acquired practices, we've increased our yield to 1.4 tons per hectare," he says. This is a remarkable turnaround, especially considering the dense vegetation and lack of flowers that previously hindered production.
The results speak for themselves. In several central municipalities focused on cashew production, rehabilitation efforts have led to an increase in production from 137,926 tons in 2020 to 225,000 tons in 2024. But here's where it gets even more impressive: the project also supports the creation of new cashew farms, providing producers with high-performance seedlings to stimulate production further.
Nurseryman Franck Avikpo in Savè plays a vital role in this process, supplying producers with grafted and polyclonal plants. "The seeds and seedlings subsidized by the project are distributed from here," he explains. Nurserymen like Franck not only ensure the distribution of plants but also guide producers in installing drip systems to optimize plant survival during droughts.
Sanni Mamadou, secretary-general of the Cashew Interprofessional Sector, emphasizes the project's impact: "With PACOFIDE, we've acted to change the lives of thousands of rural families. In the long term, new cashew plantations with certified grafted seedlings will bring visible change."
The project's outcomes are indeed notable. Nationally, 122,547 hectares of existing cashew plantations have been rehabilitated, and 17,818 hectares of high-performing new cashew plantations have been established. Over 350,000 beneficiaries have been reached through cost-shared grants and funding for subprojects within the pineapple and cashew value chains.
Additionally, the project has supported the construction of a cold storage terminal for perishable agricultural products at Cotonou airport. And this is the part most people miss: the project's support for the agricultural sector extends to facilitating access to fertilizers valued at up to $100 million for the 2023-2026 seasons, a crucial boost given the significant increase in agricultural input costs on the international market.
So, what do you think? Is this project a game-changer for Benin's agricultural sector? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
