Agriculture is the first economic sector in Benin after that of services. It contributes to 32,7 % on average to GDP, 75 % export earnings, 15 % to state revenue and provides about 70 % jobs. It also and above all contributes to ensuring the country's food security.. So to contribute more to its development, journalists specializing in this sector have initiated a monthly meeting called “Agricultural Friday”. A slot in which, les acteurs de ce secteur auront le privilège de faire connaître les activités qu’ils mènent. Et pour le premier numéro qui s’est tenu vendredi 24 September 2021 in the Conference room of the Central Food Safety Control Laboratory (LCSSA), This is Valère Houssou, Director General of the National Fund for Agricultural Development (FNDA) got the ball rolling.
For over an hour, the man who through his structure is revolutionizing the financing of the agricultural sector under the leadership of the government of Patrice Talon took stock of the activities carried out by his institution during the first year and took the opportunity to discuss the prospects. According to Valère Houssou, the creation of the FNDA is a government response to a lack of funding expressed by actors in the agricultural world. The last instrument that Benin has known in terms of agricultural financing is called the Caisse Nationale de Crédit Agricole (CNCA).
“The actors lack funding, resources adapted to their needs. They have difficulties in mobilizing guarantees and the farms of our compatriots who operate in this sector are not linked to the interest rates that banks and microfinance institutions offer.. Faced with this difficulty, a solution had to be found, hence the creation of the National Fund for Agricultural Development”, did he declare. The mission of the fund, he will say, is to promote private investment.
The country is now subdivided into seven poles of agricultural development (led by the ATDAs (according to agro-ecological potential, the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors. the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors. the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors, the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors 13 the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors, the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors, the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors, the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors.
the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors
the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors, the FNDA proposes to support each cluster in the development of its priority sectors, the interest rate bonus in certain cases and support for the preparation of bankable files thanks to its partnership with Non-Financial Service Providers (PSNF) et les projets et programmes. Pour Valère Houssou, the eligible beneficiaries of these funds are SMEs and agricultural SMIs, cooperatives of producers or processors registered with the MAEP, smallholder farmers with an IFU. Their activities must be linked to the priority sectors promoted by the Territorial Agricultural Development Agencies (ATDA). “They may relate to the acquisition of equipment and means of production, processing, storage, conservation and transport or distribution, conservation and transport or distribution, conservation and transport or distribution, conservation and transport or distribution. conservation and transport or distribution, conservation and transport or distribution.
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“You have to have a bankable business plan
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The outlook for Beninese agriculture
“Apart from cotton, we are in the process of properly positioning pineapple internationally and other emerging sectors are emerging. When the ATDAs will really take, and that we will have eligible and bankable projects in the agricultural sector, the FNDA will provide funding. If we multiply agricultural enterprises, agricultural factories, it is economic and social development that will prevail. In the 5 or 10 years to come, we want agriculture to be the sector that provides jobs, wealth creation. This is why the State is positioning the FNDA to massively mobilize the resources needed to finance agriculture”, confie Valère Houssou. Et selon les statistiques au 30 June 2021, banks and DFS have received 647 records for a total amount of 20 billion FCFA requested. After study, only 54 files were validated for a total amount of 4 472 946 000 FCFA of credit granted by 6 banks and 4 SFD. On the other hand, 47 files are currently under investigation in the banks and in SFD for more than 6 billion FCFA and 300 SME/SMI and 2500 small farmers are currently benefiting from joint ATDA / FNDA support to make their file bankable with these banks and DFS. He wanted to remind that the FNDA is for everyone, all agricultural actors. “It is an inclusive instrument” he declared while thanking the Association of Journalists and Communicators Specialists in Agriculture.
Damien TOLOMISSI