The rehabilitation of old cashew plantations in Benin is underway as part of efforts to strengthen the country's cashew value chain. In Soclogbo, within the commune of Dassa-Zoumé, professional sawyers like Pierre Hounhoulo are helping farmers such as Donné Houangni improve their plantation yields by removing older and less productive trees. "This is a cashew tree rehabilitation operation intended to enhance the plantation’s yield," said Houangni.
Hundreds of sawyers are participating in this initiative, working alongside private service providers known as brigadiers. The activity forms part of the Agricultural Competitiveness and Export Diversification Project (PACOFIDE), which is financed by the World Bank. The project aims to make selected agricultural value chains more competitive and improve access to export markets for products such as cashew nuts, pineapple, and other horticultural goods. It also seeks to improve food security through expanded rice production and market gardening.
Rehabilitation work on old cashew plantations includes thinning, pruning, skidding, and weeding. Romuald Bamidélé Afora, municipal president of the Dassa-Zoumé Private Service Providers, explained: “Pruning consists of cutting branches that touch the ground - to avoid the risk of infection by insects - and superfluous branches making the cashew tree too bushy to allow good aeration and exposure to the sun. Thinning also ensures better aeration with 10 meters of spacing, avoiding excessive density and optimizing tree productivity. Skidding consists of transporting the cut branches out of the site, while weeding aims to remove weeds."
Farmers have reported significant improvements in yield following these interventions. Cocou Gabriel Agbélélé noted that after receiving assistance in 2022, his harvest increased from two or three tons up to five or six tons per year. “With my increased income, I can manage family expenses more effectively and pursue my plans,” he said.
Olivier Kodjo Azonnoudo described how support from brigadiers helped him increase his yield from about 100 kg per hectare to 1.4 tons per hectare: “Without this support, I would have already abandoned my orchard... Thanks to the interventions of the brigadiers and the practices acquired during these councils, we have increased to 1.4 tons per hectare.”
Production figures reflect this upturn; central municipalities focused on cashew production saw an increase from 137,926 tons in 2020 to 225,000 tons in 2024.
The PACOFIDE project not only rehabilitates existing plantations but also supports new farm creation by providing high-performance seedlings. Nurserymen like Franck Avikpo supply grafted plants subsidized by PACOFIDE and assist producers with installing drip irrigation systems for drought resilience.
Sanni Mamadou, secretary general of the Cashew Interprofessional Sector, commented on PACOFIDE's impact: “Before PACOFIDE, several projects aimed to raise awareness of good agricultural practices among producers, but their impact was limited. With this project, we have acted, changing the lives of thousands of rural families... In the long term, new cashew plantations with certified grafted seedlings will bring visible change.”
Nationally under PACOFIDE’s scope so far:
- 122,547 hectares of existing cashew plantations have been rehabilitated.
- 17,818 hectares of new high-performing plantations established.
- Cost-shared grants funded 248 subprojects across pineapple and cashew value chains.
- Over 350,000 individuals benefited.
- Construction supported for a cold storage terminal at Cotonou airport for perishable products.
- To address rising input costs globally between 2023–2026 seasons—access facilitated for fertilizers valued at up to $100 million.