Agriculture provides livelihoods for nearly 70 percent of Benin’s population and remains the backbone of the national economy. Despite steady economic growth, Benin faces persistent food security challenges, particularly in rural areas where smallholder farmers are vulnerable to weather variability.
The Government has prioritized modernizing and strengthening the resilience of the sector in its national development strategy.
Livestock productivity is hindered by low-performing breeds and poor feed and water management, while animal diseases such as trypanosomiasis reduce meat and milk output. Food safety control is limited, with analytical capacity to monitor food products centralized in Cotonou, in the extreme south of the country.
“The Atoms4Food initiative is perfectly aligned with Benin’s strategic priorities: ensuring food security and boosting the productivity of our agricultural sector,” said Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. “The partnership and expertise of the IAEA are crucial and will enable us to consolidate our capabilities to provide producers with reliable solutions, increase yields and minimise post-harvest losses.”
