October 17 | Abomey-Calavi, Benin
PEP researchers held a conference in Benin to present findings on ICT-enabled climate services for smallholder farmers. The event highlighted innovative tools to combat climate variability and boost productivity. Stakeholders pledged to scale these solutions.
A team of local PEP researchers hosted a national policy conference to present findings from their innovative research on ICT-enabled climate services to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers in Benin.
The event brought together approximately 25 policymakers and stakeholders to discuss how the introduction of ICT tools can mitigate climate variability, a significant threat to agricultural productivity and smallholder incomes. The research, conducted under PEP’s Fostering Autonomous Local Impact Evaluations for Policymaking (FALIEP) program, was supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation .
The conference attracted representatives from Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MAEP), the Ministry of Development and Government Action Coordination, academics from Beninese universities, and leaders of farmer organizations and NGOs supporting agricultural resilience.
The primary objectives of the conference were to:
- Share findings from a Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial (CRCT) assessing ICT-enabled climate services for farmers.
- Highlight the potential of ICT to deliver village-specific precipitation forecasts and provide agricultural advisory services.
- Engage stakeholders in discussions on scaling these interventions and exploring further research opportunities.
Research Findings and Recommendations
Dr. Esther Ogouniyi Adimi and Prof. Jacob Yabi, who led the research team, presented the project's methodology, findings, and actionable recommendations. The study revealed the potential for ICT-enabled climate services to reduce inefficiencies, increase productivity, and boost incomes for smallholder farmers. Key recommendations included:
- Providing tailored precipitation forecasts through SMS to aid decision-making.
- Integrating ICT tools into existing agricultural advisory services and training programs.
- Establishing technical assistance centers to support farmers remotely using ICT platforms.
A lively discussion followed, with policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders expressing strong interest in collaborative efforts to scale the solutions identified.
Notably, Mr. Fabossou Macaire, Directeur du Conseil Agricole, des innovations et de la formation entrepreneuriale pledged to incorporate the research findings into ongoing reforms to digitalize agricultural advisory services in Benin.
The conference concluded with a commitment to expand ICT-enabled solutions across rural Benin, leveraging the research findings to build resilience against climate variability and improve livelihoods.
The event, part of the FALIEP program, exemplifies the transformative potential of collaborative, evidence-based policymaking. It highlights the importance of empowering local researchers to address critical development challenges and ensure impactful solutions for smallholder farmers in Benin and beyond.
The conference was covered by Le Rural, and further details can be accessed via this link.
