According to the Bank’s website, the Programme for the Transformation of Agriculture in the Savannah Zone – Phase 1 (PROTAS-P1) aims to support Benin’s agricultural transformation by strengthening the maize, soybean and poultry value chains in the country’s savannah zones. The programme focuses on increasing agricultural productivity, promoting climate-resilient production systems, strengthening agro-industrial value chains and improving market linkages. It combines investments in climate-smart crop production, poultry farming, post-harvest infrastructure, agro-processing facilities and institutional capacity building, while promoting innovation, private sector participation, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and youth and women entrepreneurship.

The programme is implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP) and contributes to Benin’s national strategies for food security, agricultural transformation and inclusive economic growth.

The total cost of the project is UA 98.76 million. It is financed through an African Development Bank loan of UA 86.99 million, complemented by counterpart contributions from the Government of Benin and project beneficiaries amounting to UA 11.77 million. The financing supports investments in resilient agricultural production, value chain development, project management and coordination over the implementation period 2026–2030.

The overall objective of PROTAS-P1 is to sustainably increase national poultry meat production that meets quality standards through the integrated development of the maize, soybean and poultry value chains. Specifically, the programme aims to increase climate-resilient agricultural and livestock productivity, strengthen agro-processing and value addition, improve access to markets and finance, and enhance food and nutrition security. It also seeks to create decent jobs for youth and women, reduce dependency on food imports, promote private sector investment and strengthen resilience to climate change in Benin’s savannah zones.

The direct beneficiaries of the programme are an estimated 50,000 people, including maize and soybean producers, poultry farmers, processors, traders, cooperatives and agribusiness entrepreneurs operating in the savannah zones, with at least 30% women and a strong participation of youth. Indirect beneficiaries are estimated at around 500,000 people, including rural households, consumers and local communities who will benefit from increased food availability, improved nutrition, job creation and strengthened local economies. Public institutions, extension services and research bodies will also benefit from enhanced capacity to support agricultural transformation and climate-resilient development.

Environmental Category: [2] Moderate Risk

According to Decree 2022-390 of 13 July 2022, the programme's sub projects are classified as Category B, corresponding to a moderate risk. This classification is in line with Category 2 of the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System.

The main E&S risks identified include those related to handling birds (zoonoses, injuries, allergies, respiratory and skin problems), working conditions in animal facilities (posture-related constraints), risks to human health, surface water pollution from animal manure, soil pollution from slaughterhouse waste, risks of investment loss, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse/harassment, soil and vegetation degradation due to land clearing, disrupting wildlife and its habitat, risks related to land security, potential conflicts between farmers and livestock breeders caused by stray animals destroying crops, the impacts of climate change and drought, price fluctuations and poor sales.

Involuntary Resettlement: the project approach (demand-driven approach) does not envisage any activities that would lead to resettlement.

The total cost of the project is UA 98.76 million. It is financed through an African Development Bank loan of UA 86.99 million, complemented by counterpart contributions from the Government of Benin and project beneficiaries amounting to UA 11.77 million.

Financial Instrument: Project
Commitments (UA): 87,020,988
Conversion Rate USD (2026-01-06): 1,35078
Commitments (USD): 117,546,210.20

Name: Youssouf KABORE
Email: y.kabore@afdb.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/