Residents of Benin’s Ouémé Valley Increase Their Incomes, Thanks to an African Development Fund Project – African Business

Following its launch in Benin in 2013, the Ouémé Valley Rural Infrastructure Support Project (https://bit.ly/3bnewkjThe project has helped to increase the incomes of the local population. The rice farmers in the region now make $361.47 annually, exceeding the $221.99 goal.

The project, expected to close in December 2022, received $74.83 million in co-funding from the African Development Bank Group’s concessional arm, the African Development Fund. The Global Environment Facility provided additional financing.

The project objective was to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and yields, while also boosting producers’ incomes.

According to the Bank Group’s Implementation Progress and Results Report, published on 22 July 2022, women beneficiaries now earn $247.86 per year (about 158,000 FCFA) and are projected to earn up to $594.57 (about 380,000 FCFA) by the end of the project.

This performance was achieved due to an increase of the production volume for both market-garden and agricultural food crops. The surplus agricultural food product (rice and maze) was marketed increased from 70,100 tonnes in 2013, to 77,992 tons in 2021. Surplus market-garden production sold surpassed the target threshold at 32,600 tonnes, reaching 32,742 tons.

“Despite the many constraints that have disrupted its implementation, the project is on track to achieve its impacts,” according to the Bank report. “The construction of rural roads has already opened up several production areas that were previously difficult to access.”

The report goes on to add, “With the construction of facilities to totally control the water of Tangbédji (540 hectares) and the 651 hectares of gravity perimeters and the development of the shallows, the project is expected to have a significant effect on agricultural productivity and production and on incomes in the Ouémé Valley.”  According to  findings, the exploitation of developed areas testifies to the clear will of the beneficiary producers to use them wisely.

The project was completed with the sowing and distribution of 499.77tonnes of seeds, and the construction of 200 kilometres (and 10 kilometres) of agricultural tracks. 50 storage warehouses were also built and received.

The project also aimed to establish 10 secondary markets and three collection markets. These plans were ultimately modified to reflect the reality on the ground. The construction of the 10 collection markets was abandoned to make way for an additional secondary market. Four secondary markets were thus completed and received.

One loading dock has been constructed and six more are in construction. The project’s implementation rate stands at 67.79%.

The project also created 19,066 job opportunities, including 1740 jobs for women.

“The project has completed all the land communications, storage and marketing infrastructure. Only the hydro-agricultural projects are left. The 651 hectares of gravity perimeters have a 70% completion rate, while the 540-hectare Tangbédji perimeter has been completed to 65%,” the Bank’s report concludes.

Distributed by APO Group for African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

About the African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It is composed of three distinct entities, the African Development Bank(AfDB), African Development Fund(ADF), and Nigeria Trust Fund. The Bank has an office in Japan and is present in 41 African nations. This office contributes to economic development as well as the social progress of 54 of its member countries. For more information, please visit: www.AfDB.org