Project summary
e-Anacarde is a co-constructed project by the Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Sciences Unit of the Faculty of the Agricultural Sciences of the University of Abomey-Calavi and the Namur University in Belgium with the support of several national partners to improve the overall performance of the Cashew productions and valorization systems in Benin. By using a Double-I (interdisciplinary and international) approach, e-Anacarde seeks to strengthen the coordination of actors along the cashew value-chains by providing an active digital platform to improve the productivity of the crop by developing agro-ecological zones-tailored cashew varieties.
Project objective
The general objective of e-Anacarde is to contribute to the integrated development of innovative research tools for the improvement and intensification of the valorization of cashew nuts in Benin. Specifically, the project aimed at:
- strengthening the coordination of actors and their integration into local and global value chains through a digital platform;
- producing high-yielding polyclonal seeds and plants based on the genetic and phenotypic structure according to the agroecological regions of Benin;
- evaluating the socio-economic impact of interventions;
- strengthening the capacities of actors in the cashew sector in Benin, research and administration teams in Benin to improve the performance of the cashew sector; and
- strengthening the level of knowledge of ARES researchers and actors of Belgian development cooperation on development problems in Benin.
Project activities
The e-Anacarde project activities in Benin are five-fold:
- developing a digital tool for information exchanges between stakeholders in the sector;
- develop a “memento” for the cashew sector in local languages and translate them into digital language;
- developing an improved variety of cashew plant;
- evaluating the socio-economic impact of the platform;
- training MSc and PhD on different aspects on the cashew production system; and
- administrating of the project.
Project duration and budget
e-Anacarde is a four-years project funded by ARES (Belgian Government) for a total budget of € 500 000 .
Project intervention areas
e-Anarcarde interventions will concern the Benin cashew production areas. These include the Zou, Collines, Borgou, Alibori, Donga, Oueme and Plateau departments.
Project Expected results
The e-Anacarde key expected results are twofold:
- digitalization for the integration of cashew value chain stakeholders; and
- improvement of local cashew varieties.
Project partners
Interprofession Anacarde du Bénin (IFA Bénin)
Fédération nationale des producteurs d’anacarde au Bénin (FENAPAB)
Direction de la Statistique Agricole du Bénin
Université de Parakou
Université de Liège (ULiège)
Université catholique de Louvain (UC Louvain)
Namur Digital Institute (NADI)
African School of Economics
INRAB (Institut national pour la recherche Agricole du Bénin)
Project contact persons
Prof Enoch G. Achigan-Dako, Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin, e.adako@gmail.com
Prof Romain Houssa, Université de Namur, Belgique
Dr Charlotte Adjé, Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
Dr Dèdéou Tchokponhoué, Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin