Beninese farmers have established the national farmers’ platform (PNOPPA), which represents Beninese farmers in national consultations. Among others, PNOPPA is influencing orientations and contents of the National Plan for the Promotion of the Agricultural Sector (PNRSA). FUPRO is a national federation of commodity-oriented unions and federations. FUPRO is member of PNOPPA and has been delegated to pilot the ESFIM action-research and lobby & advo   cacy activities.

 

The ESFIM agenda was first defined during the 2009 ESFIM workshop, with ample participation of different organizations. The following thematic priorities were defined : storage and conservation, commercial relations between farmers and buyers of agricultural products and governance of cross border trade of agrifood products. The workshop revealed that both farmers’ research agenda setting capacities and researchers’ client-orientation are weak. In 2010, it was decided to create synergy between ESFIM action research and another action research activity of FUPRO, which was launched for the preparation of the program for the development of agrifood value chains, with specific attention for maize as this is the most important staple food forBenin(Avant Projet Maize; APM). The research programmes APM and ESFIM complement each other, not only in terms of human and financial resources, but also in terms of outlook: ESFIM is more oriented at strategic orientations and lobby & advocacy, whereas APM is more oriented at practical action for farmers and their partners in agribusiness. These two orientations are needed for moving towards the development of more competitive and inclusive value chain development. Collaborative arrangements were established among FUPRO, ESFIM-Agrinatura (represented by WUR-CDI – Centre for Development Innovation), SNV Benin (Dutch Development Organization), KIT (Royal Tropical Institute) and Agriterra. The central question of the action research programme was as follows:  what are levers and options to make cereal food value chains more competitive, sustainable and inclusive.

 

AGRINATURA (WUR-CDI) assisted FUPRO to define priorities and to develop a systematic action research approach, which was translated in a  consolidated work plan and budget. A conceptual model (rural innovation systems and entrepreneurship; RISE) guided action research activities. Preparatory desk studies allowed to gather most of the available data and issues. The desk studies were debriefed and validated in June 2011.

 

Twelve specific action research activities were fielded between March and October 2011. These focused on identified challenges and practical questions. Much attention was given to the analysis of specific case studies with the major aim to convincingly propose options for action. The identification of institutional and practical answers was a cross-cutting point of attention. Local consultants worked according to detailed Terms of Reference. Study reports were peer reviewed and discussed during multi-stakeholder meetings. A writeshop for all involved local researchers and consultants resulted in 12 research reports.

 

A broad FUPRO member consultation was organized, for which a participatory methodological approach was conceived. Six young professionals were guided by FUPRO and worked in each of the 6 regions of the country. The member consultation is composed of four major elements: focus group interview with maize producers’ associations or cooperatives (4 in each of the 6 regions), data collection on individual maize farmers (360 in total), member assessments of 24 associations/cooperatives and 36 qualitative ‘profiles’ of maize farmers in Benin.  In the same regions, farmer workshops allowed for capitalizing farmers’ experiences with storage and conservation and marketing of maize products. A study visit harnessed experiences with maize value chain development  inBurkina Faso.

 

Key findings and messages were distilled and led to the preparation of articles and summary briefs according to 8 action research areas.  These briefs present the current situation, observed trends, key challenges to be addressed, strategic orientations, pursued goals and possible options for practical action.

 

In October 2011, APM and ESFIM organized a strategic national workshop to debrief action research results. This led to the identification of necessary policy changes and the formulation of the major orientations of a program for the promotion of competitive, sustainable and inclusive maize value chains.

 

The progress so far shows that FUPRO has been actively leading the action research programme and process. Emphasis on member consultation allowed to bring farmers’ views and proposals in at higher strategic levels and were translated in a proposed program of action. The ESFIM research activities have been embedded in an integrated action research programme, resulting in advocacy activities and a programme focussed at improving farmers’ market access.