In an unprecedented nationwide tour spanning three days, Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, delivered a clear directive to agricultural stakeholders: the nation must halt the export of raw materials and prioritize domestic processing to secure food independence and economic growth.

The minister’s itinerary covered critical agricultural hubs, from Paouignan in the south to Glazoué and Parakou in the central regions. The mission was straightforward—ensure the president’s vision, which calls for ending the export of unprocessed goods, transitions into tangible industrial progress.

Rice and cassava: stepping closer to food self-sufficiency

Progress in the rice sector offers a glimmer of hope. At Glazoué, Premium Agro-Industrie—a leading rice processor—revealed plans to expand its operations. A third processing plant is under construction in Dangbo, which will increase the company’s annual rice processing capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 tons. This expansion aims to curb Benin’s reliance on rice imports from Asia.

The cassava industry is also gaining momentum. In Paouignan, a new processing facility nears completion, set to produce gari, tapioca, and—most notably—wheat flour substitutes. The facility stands out for its innovative public-private partnership model, ensuring fair profit-sharing for local producers and job security in rural areas.

Cashew nuts: cracking down on illegal exports

Despite progress, challenges persist. The cashew nut sector faces a critical hurdle: raw nut smuggling to neighboring countries drains local processors of essential raw materials.

The minister’s response was unequivocal. The government will intensify border surveillance and prioritize stockpiling for domestic processing plants. Officials warn that exporting raw cashews is tantamount to shipping away jobs for young Beninese.

Cotton revival: a 700,000-ton target backed by incentives

The final leg of the tour focused on Benin’s most vital cash crop: cotton. After three consecutive years of declining production, the government is pushing for a dramatic turnaround, setting a target of 700,000 tons by the 2026-2027 season.

To motivate farmers and offset rising input costs, the state has introduced a landmark incentive—a 10 FCFA bonus per kilogram of cotton produced, payable once national output reaches the 700,000-ton milestone.

With stricter enforcement against smuggling, financial incentives for producers, and large-scale industrial projects underway, Benin is reshaping its agricultural economy. The remaining challenges—logistics and climate resilience—are formidable, but political commitment remains unwavering.