Project to Support Food Production and Build Resilience (PAPVIRE-ABC)

About the Project

In the Alibori, Borgou, and Collines Departments of Benin, the prevalence of food insecurity ranges from 10–27%. These areas are subject to climatic hazards that cause drought and floods with serious consequences. For example, 70% of villages in Alibori 50% in Borgou, and 40% in Collines have experienced recurrent floods that have caused serious damage to crops and dwellings. These climatic factors, as well as limited market access, limited local product processing, and low producer prices, negatively impact household incomes, increase rural-urban migration, and exacerbate social conflicts over land and transhumance corridors use. 

PAPVIRE-ABC helps these departments boost food production by developing agricultural value chains through improved farm productivity, technological innovations, and the promotion of agricultural entrepreneurship. Approaches include building resilience to climate change, ensuring sustainable management of agricultural and natural resources, increasing household incomes to alleviate the impact of poverty, and strengthening resilience and employment of women and youth. Activities include improving and managing agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation schemes, farm-to-market roads, storage, and processing facilities; strengthening crop distribution and marketing systems; and ensuring access to certified seeds and quality fertilizer and pesticides. PAPVIRE-ABC also promotes the dissemination and adoption of sustainable land conservation and regeneration techniques. Measures such as the inclusion of grain legumes in crop rotation systems for soil improvement aim to help small-scale farmers adapt to climate change and better manage their natural resources.