Benin

Currently, we are running our Sustainable rice programme in the country.

Sustainable Rice programme highlights for 2023

The rice component of Enabel's DEFIA project, led by Rikolto in consortium with the Rice Farmers' Consultation Council CCRB, culminated in a major agro-ecological fair in Cotonou. The six clusters - groups of farmer organisations, processors and traders - showcased different varieties of red, brown, black and semi-milled rice, processed to retain essential nutrients typically lost in the milling process, as well as traditional and PGS rice. A total of 2,145 farmers received extensive training in agro-ecological farming techniques in line with SRP standard and experimented with natural fertilisers such as vermicompost and neem-coated urea in 81 Farmer Field Schools. While only 15.06% of farmers achieved full sustainability score in rice production, the percentage of farmers 'tending towards sustainability' category has increased from 18.81% to 63.17% in only one growing season. To further disseminate agro-ecological practices throughout the region, agro-ecological seeds were developed and distributed through the national research institute INRAB, which also validated the manuals for sustainable rice production developed in partnership with universities.