In order to help Benin improve food security and productivity and strengthen the resilience of populations in the northern regions of the country, the Board of Directors of the World Bank approved financing an additional $150 million from the International Development Association (IDA).

The Additional Financing to the Project to Support the Competitiveness of Supply Chains and Export Diversification (Pacofide) aims to strengthen food security through the increase in the production of rice and marai products expensive (tomato, pepper and onion) but also and above all to generate more inclusive economic opportunities in the segments up and down stream of these value chains, for young people, women and people at risk in order to prevent fragility in the northern regions of the country. This financing will also support the development of hydro-agricultural schemes, the provision of agricultural inputs (fertilizers and seeds), improved production technologies and agricultural advisory services targeting the value chains

According to Nestor Coffi, World Bank Operations Manager for Benin, “Beninese agriculture still employs two-thirds of the population. As a result, investments in the agricultural sector have a major impact on job creation and the improvement of people's living conditions. This additional funding will help create new economic opportunities and more inclusive livelihoods for people in fragile and at-risk areas in the country.”