Agriculture and food in Benin

Agriculture in Benin

Benin is a West African country located on the Gulf of Guinea. It borders Nigeria to its east and Togo, Burkina Faso (also known as Burkinabé). Benin is one off if poorest countries within Africa according to 2020 Human Development Index at 0 .520 placing 163 rd out 189 nations surveyed. Agriculture in Benin generates around 70% of employment and 30% of GDP, but is dependent on rainfall. An estimated 550 thousand smallholdings with an average land size 1.7 hectares. In Benin dominate subsistence farming for cereals or tubers. Agriculture in Benin is vulnerable to climate change when conditions become unplannable due to unpredictable weather patterns that may cause crop yields to decrease significantly resulting in higher food prices. The agriculture sector is a vital part of Benin's economy and has been the driving force behind improvement in living conditions for years. The government often relies on R&D, as it's assumed these innovations will be necessary to address future challenges like those posed by population growth rates or climate change. A chronic lack of jobs in rural areas is driving young people to urban cities. Market gardening offers them an opportunity for employment and can help alleviate poverty by providing vegetables throughout the sub-region, but it requires financial support from organizations like IFAD who are willing to provide loans so governments have access to inexpensive tools that effectively target their poorest citizens with activities designed specifically around these needs. The Strategy Agriculture Program helps disadvantaged households earn money through profitable business ventures while developing skills necessary for becoming self-sufficient at home or abroad. A government in Benin wants to restructure the industry. One major objective is developing agriculture industries through mass mechanization programs for agricultural products like cotton that can be processed into thread or fabric with little labor involved; improved water control techniques, which will allow farmers greater yields without using irrigation systems as much; adopting technological innovations such as genetically modified crops so harvests are more consistent year-round. Benin government is planning agricultural development in pineapples, cashew nuts, cotton, maize, cassava, and rice sectors. Benin's major trading partners include Nigeria, Niger and Togo. There is little information available on what Beninese agriculture product export quantities.

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Agriculture land in Benin

Benin is home to a large percentage of land that can be considered grassland. The country's cover, at 90%, makes it the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. This means Benino residents have an opportunity not only to cultivate but also maintain this natural resource. 23.5% (25,850 km2) is arable land that is now used for agriculture, 8% (8,800 km2) is already in permanent crop production, some 4% (4,400 km2) is used as permanent pasture for livestock. In Benin, the practice of using land for different purposes is prevalent. Crops are grown in some areas while grazing occurs on other plots to provide nourishment for livestock. On average, Benin farmers cultivate plots 1-2 hectares (2.5-4.9 acres) in size with 85% of them cultivating corn, 30 percent cassava and yams while only 11% grow cotton as their leading cash crop for this country's economy which can be attributed to how most others prioritize vegetables over grains including tomatoes or peppers rather than wheat due its high costliness price per kilo. The largest plots of farmland are found in Borgou.

Agriculture production in Benin

Benin produces many valuable commodities, but the top three are yams, cassava and cotton lint.The Beninese love their vegetables, and it's easy to see why. There is an abundance of all sorts of fresh produce in this country. This country is rich with many different kinds of crops like tomatoes or peppers, okra, onion and leafy vegetables. The average plot size in Benin is about .5 hectares (1.2 acres), where leafy vegetables are grown year round and there's water available near the larger cities close by for irrigation purposes. In Benin, vegetables are grown for both domestic consumption and export to neighboring countries. The Benin government's strategy is to export the majority of its vegetables for trade with neighboring countries, especially Nigeria. INRAB, an organization that promotes agriculture in Benin reports on the best fruit species for farmers to grow. They rank them by cost and income intensity; profitability (profitability of sales); financial competitiveness among other countries close by who produce these same types of fruits or potentially competing products like coffee beans . Papaya (#1), banana (#2) and oranges (#3) all contribute more towards increased producer's profits while pineapple production helps create jobs through investment into this growing industry. The pineapple production zones are located in south, and growers fall into two groups. Small with plots of 0.5 to 5 hectares (1-12 acres), large size grows up from 10 - 40 ha (.22 acre). Only 2% Benin's total produce goes abroad for European markets; most is processed locally while fresh fruit makes way across borders into Nigeria where demand remains high during this time period due to strong trade relations among these countries.
Agricultural products: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock.Benin produced in 2018:

• Benin cassava production - 3.8 million tons
• Benin yam production - 2.7 million tons
• Benin maize production - 1.5 million tons
• Benin cotton production - 758 thousand tons
• Benin palm oil production - 598 thousand tons
• Benin rice production - 459 thousand tons
• Benin pineapple production - 372 thousand tons
• Benin sorghum production - 319 thousand tons
• Benin tomato production - 253 thousand tons
• Benin eanut production - 225 thousand tons
• Benin soy production - 221 thousand tons
• Benin cashew nuts production - 215 thousand tons

Cotton production in Benin

Cotton is Benin's most important cash crop, contributing to more than 35% of the country's exports and providing an income for at least three million people. However, cotton productivity has declined in recent years due largely because poor management practices are challenging - challenges that need be addressed by decision-makers if they hope this trend will change soon enough. However, not all cotton goes to farmers: only about 3 percent of total output locally gets processed. Cotton is exported into bales. Benin is very dependent on world cotton prices. Cotton is a fundamental plant in Benin in The north and center of Benin. This line has been pegged as the cotton belt because it contains two-thirds (66%) of all farmers who grow this crop. 37% of Atacora departmental farmers work on cotton corp. In the South department in Benin - Atlantique, Mono, and Ouémé, the percentage ranges from zero to 25%. Farmers sold cotton to ginning companies. Cotton seeds contain up to 40% oil which has various uses depending upon its quality; however higher extraction rates mean lower profits because more resources are needed during processing stages.

Livestock production in Benin

Livestock is an integral part of African's economy. Cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, and sheep contribute about 6% to total GDP. Livestock contributes greatly towards household finances as well with over 87 percent of households in Alibori Department dependant upon them for their primary source o income. 36% of Benin households engage in raising livestock, the most popular this kind of agriculture is in North Benin. The fishing industry in Benin provides a 2% GDP and employs 70 thousand people. Capture fisheries production has been steadily rising, reaching an estimated high at 40 thousand tons harvested in 2005.