Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, recently concluded an intensive three-day national tour. From the central regions to the north of the country, the government’s message resonated clearly: Benin must cease exporting its raw materials and instead process its agricultural output domestically. This strategic shift aims to bolster the nation’s food security and generate significant wealth within its borders.
The Beninese government is engaged in a determined race against time to modernize its agricultural sector. Between June 11 and 13, Minister Goubalan visited several pivotal agricultural hubs, including Paouignan, Glazoué, and Parakou. The primary objective of this extensive journey was to personally ensure that the head of state’s vision – a definitive break from raw product exports – translates into tangible industrial reality on the ground.
Rice and cassava: charting a course towards food self-sufficiency
A significant breakthrough is emerging within the rice sector. In Glazoué, the agro-industrial conglomerate Premium, already a prominent player in paddy rice processing, announced a substantial acceleration of its investments. A third processing unit is currently under construction in Dangbo. This new industrial facility is set to increase the group’s total annual capacity from 300,000 to an impressive 500,000 tonnes of rice. This expansion offers crucial relief, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported Asian rice.
Meanwhile, in Paouignan, the focus is on cassava, often referred to as the ‘white gold’ of the subsoil. Construction of a new local processing plant is nearing completion. This industrial complex will produce gari and tapioca, but critically, it will also manufacture panifiable flour, offering a vital alternative to reduce wheat imports. A major innovation here is its unique co-management model, bringing together the private sector and local producer groups. This structure is designed to ensure equitable profit distribution and secure rural employment opportunities.
Cashew: cracking down on illicit trade
While local transformation efforts are advancing, they face a substantial hurdle: the availability of raw materials. Within the cashew nut sector, local processors are sounding the alarm over the widespread leakage of raw nuts to neighboring countries.
Minister Goubalan adopted a firm stance on this issue. He affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing border controls and prioritizing the secure supply of raw cashew nuts for factories operating within national territory. For the executive, allowing raw nuts to leave the country is tantamount to exporting valuable jobs for young Beninese citizens.
Cotton: aiming for 700,000 tonnes with a bonus incentive
The tour concluded with the most sensitive segment of Benin’s agricultural economy: cotton. Following three consecutive seasons marked by a decline in production, the government is determined to revitalize the sector. A target of 700,000 tonnes has been set for the 2026-2027 campaign.
To re-energize producers and bolster their purchasing power amidst rising input costs, the President of the Republic has introduced a powerful incentive: an exceptional bonus of 10 FCFA per kilogram of cotton produced. This premium will be disbursed once the national threshold of 700,000 tonnes is surpassed.
Through stringent measures against smuggling, financial incentives for producers, and significant industrial projects, Benin is actively shaping a more resilient agricultural economy. While logistical and climatic challenges persist, the political will to achieve these ambitious goals appears robustly anchored.
