Strengthening the Resilience of Vulnerable Family Farms to Climate Change in the Agricultural Development Pole in Benin
Countries / Regions
Benin
Partners
Walker Institute, University of Reading; Pegasys Consulting
Funders
National Fund for Environment and Climate (FNEC); Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Timescale
Project Team
Prof. Rosalind Cornforth (Reading PI), Dr. Celia Petty, and Stella Ngoleka, Walker Institute, University of Reading; Dr. Jake Bishop (Walker Associate), Department of Crop Science, and Dr. Sanzidur Rahman (Walker Associate), Department of Agri-Food economics and Marketing, School of Agriculture and Policy Development, University of Reading; Jane Wilkinson (PI), Paige Sherriff (PM) and Olga Buto, Pegasys Consulting (PM); Georges Djohy and Serge Djohy, Independent Consultants, Benin
Background
Fonds National pour l’Environnement et le Climat (FNEC), as a Green Climate Fund (GCF) Accredited Entity, is developing a full funding proposal to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable family farms in Benin’s Agricultural Development Pole 4 (PDA4). The region is highly vulnerable to climate change, with farmers facing challenges such as water stress, erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and deforestation caused by unsustainable agricultural practices. This project aims to build a sustainable post-harvest processing system for yams and market garden products, enhance climate resilience, and improve food security for smallholder farmers.
Our Research
To support this effort, Pegasys and its partners will conduct feasibility studies, strengthen climate adaptation strategies, develop financial solutions for MSMEs and SMEs, and prepare all required documentation for GCF submission. Key activities include stakeholder consultations, environmental and social risk assessments, gender action planning, and capacity building for local institutions. This submission to the GCF, with the goal of securing GCF approval and implementing targeted interventions that promote sustainable agriculture, reduce deforestation, and support economic resilience in the region.
Our Research
To support this effort, Pegasys and its partners will conduct feasibility studies, strengthen climate adaptation strategies, develop financial solutions for MSMEs and SMEs, and prepare all required documentation for GCF submission. Key activities include stakeholder consultations, environmental and social risk assessments, gender action planning, and capacity building for local institutions. This submission to the GCF, with the goal of securing GCF approval and implementing targeted interventions that promote sustainable agriculture, reduce deforestation, and support economic resilience in the region.
Our Impact
The Walker Institute will be contributing to the proposal of post-harvesting management and processing approaches component of the project’s Feasibility Study. The methodology to be used focuses on building a robust, sustainable, and efficient post-harvest processing system for yams and market garden products in Benin. By leveraging low-carbon technologies, innovative infrastructure, and targeted capacity-building, activities that reduce post-harvest losses, enhance product quality, and increase market access for yam derivatives will be supported by vulnerable family farms, SMEs and MSMEs. This approach supports the development of activities that support climate resilient agricultural value chains in Benin while directly responding to climate hazards and supporting climate mitigation goals.
