In Benin, a UN project will help combat the advance of the desert and the pressure on natural environments in eight communes where these phenomena are having an increasing impact on people's livelihoods.
The Restoration and Development of Degraded Land and Forest Ecosystems for Climate Resilience in Benin project has been launched. At a total cost of 8.6 million euros (5.6 million CFA francs), the initiative is jointly funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), based in Washington D.C. in the United States of America.
“The aim is to strengthen the protection and preservation of forest ecosystems located in major agricultural production basins. We will identify and promote gender-sensitive and climate-resilient value chains and increase the productivity and competitiveness of these sectors. We will also be facilitating the mobilisation of innovative financing and the involvement of the sector to facilitate access to markets and credit for the producers involved”, says the UNDP.
The pilot phase of the UN/GEF project will be implemented in the Councils of Karimama, Ségbana, Gogounou, Kouandé, Aplahoué, Klouékammè, Za-Kpota and Covè. The project is expected to strengthen economic resilience, create jobs, increase incomes and ensure food security for the local population, most of whom are farmers. According to the 2022 report of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), some 43,393 km2 of land, or 37.3% of Benin’s territory, is recognised as degraded land.
Protecting ecosystems
These figures are confirmed by the Director of Cabinet of the Beninese Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development. “In terms of productivity, 43,322 km2 of the national territory, or 37.3%, have low productivity. In 2007, the total annual cost of land loss to the national economy was estimated at 490 million dollars, corresponding to 8% of gross domestic product (GDP)”, explains Jeanne Adambiokou Acakpo.
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At the same time, the private sector behind deforestation is beginning to take an interest in restoring degraded land in Benin. In 2022, for example, Bolloré Transport & Logistics, a subsidiary of the French group, planted 3,000 trees, including mangroves, in Togbin-Adounko, 27 km from the capital Porto-Novo. According to the local authorities, this eco-responsible initiative will contribute to the reforestation of one hectare of marshy land in this area, which is home to a dense mangrove forest.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
