Role of Agricultural Policies in Promoting the Sustainability of Food Security in Benin

Abstract

Food security remains a central challenge for agricultural and social development in Benin, particularly in a context marked by climate variability, economic pressure and persistent rural vulnerability. This study examined the role of agricultural policies in promoting the sustainability of food security in Benin. A qualitative approach was adopted, combining a documentary review with semi-structured interviews conducted with 11 stakeholders involved in the formulation or implementation of agricultural and food-security interventions. The respondents were drawn from macro- and meso-level institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the Departmental Directorate of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Territorial Agencies for Agricultural Development and non-governmental organisations operating in food and nutrition security. The analysis was organised around the four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilisation and stability. It also considered the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability. The findings show that agricultural policies in Benin have mainly contributed to improving food availability through support for production, input access, agricultural infrastructure, technical assistance and the promotion of priority value chains. Food utilisation is also supported through institutional mechanisms, sanitary standards, nutrition awareness, dietary diversification and culinary demonstrations. However, access to food remains weakened by household income constraints, price instability, limited market differentiation for agroecological products and insufficient economic empowerment of vulnerable groups. Stability is the most fragile pillar, as interventions often depend on project-based support and face limited financial and human resources for long-term follow-up. The study concludes that agricultural policies integrate sustainability principles, but their implementation remains uneven and insufficiently balanced across all food-security pillars.