By Ayomide Otitoju
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Thursday approved a €102.12 million loan to Benin to finance the first phase of the country’s Agriculture Transformation Programme in its savannah region. The initiative aims to increase poultry meat production while integrating maize, soybean, and poultry value chains to strengthen food security, create jobs, and promote inclusive economic growth.
The programme, inspired by Brazil’s Cerrado transformation into a major food-producing region, will promote modern agricultural technologies and private-sector participation to boost productivity. Robert Masumbuko, AfDB Country Manager in Benin, said the project will be implemented in phases to support gradual growth in the poultry sector, particularly broiler production, which requires high inputs.
Running from 2026 to 2030, the project will cultivate 120,000 hectares of maize and 80,000 hectares of soybean, targeting an annual production of around 41,000 tonnes of poultry. Beneficiaries will receive broiler farming kits, certified seeds, fertilisers, and crop protection products, while smallholder farmers will gain access to portable equipment for improved sowing and crop management. The programme also emphasizes good agricultural practices, structured water management, climate resilience, and pest control.
To strengthen research and knowledge sharing, the programme will establish a multi-stakeholder platform focusing on maize- and soybean-based cropping systems. It will also promote climate-resilient, nutrient-rich seeds and expand storage capacity through the construction of 60 barns of 1,000 tonnes, 90 barns of 500 tonnes, and 150 drying areas of 200 square metres each.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit 50,000 people in the savannah region, with another 500,000 indirectly impacted, including 30% women in each group, ensuring an inclusive approach to agricultural development.
