Développement d’un secteur semencier intégré aux chaînes de valeur du riz local au Bénin

Beninese rice production has a major challenge: produce quality rice in sufficient quantity to meet national needs and thus reduce the quantity of imported rice. There are two weaknesses in achieving these objectives: low productivity and low quality of finished products. Both of these weaknesses are closely linked to the use of quality seeds. Seed is a productivity factor that alone could contribute to 40% of yield improvements (FAO 2008). Seed carries the genetic potential of the variety and largely determines the effectiveness of other inputs and production conditions. Therefore, the seed is one of the essential factors for any plant production system. Other factors such as: adaptation of the variety to the production ecosystem, respect of the production schedule, quality of inputs, production conditions, etc. also largely influence production results. After more than fifty years of extension of certified seed, ‘the adoption rate of these seeds remained generally low in Benin, with only 22%’ (Kinkingninhoun-Medagbe, 2013).
Benin has a significant potential in terms of natural resources that can enable it to ensure its self-sufficiency in rice. Benin's rice production has experienced a significant quantitative increase over the last two decades, from 13 686 tonnes of paddy in 1994 to 281 428 tonnes in 2016 (FAOSTAT, 2018) This significant increase in rice production by more than 20 times in 22 years, is largely due to an increase in cultivated area (8 736 ha to 82 351 ha). The devaluation of the CFA franc in 1994 and the 2008 food crisis were the triggers. Average yields have also increased, but to a lesser extent. They rose from 1.7 t/ha in 1994 to 3.4 t/ha in 2016. This level of yield, however, remains below the world average, which now exceeds 4.6 t/ha but above the average of West Africa which is at 2.09 t/h in 2016, Senegal at 3.9 t/ha and Mali at 3.3 t/ha (FAOSTAT, 2018). There is still room for improvement.
The varietal mixture that is observed from the production fields is the main problem that arises through the accessibility of small producers (less than 1 ha) to quality seeds. «96% of rice farmers in Benin have areas of less than one hectare» (Allodehou et al., 2013). This thesis carried out an integrated analysis of seed issues in the value chains of finished products.
The general objective of this thesis is to analyze the dynamics within the existing seed systems and to identify improvement options that will facilitate access to quality seeds by small producers. More specifically, this thesis has: i- carried out an analytical inventory of the rice sector of Benin; ii make a thorough diagnosis of the formal seed system of rice; iii- identified seed production and distribution mechanisms in the informal system and the reasons for their persistence; iv- proposed an integrated model for improving the efficiency of the rice seed system in Benin. This research was conducted using a participatory and transdisciplinary approach. It also used a systemic approach based on a holistic analysis approach. Data collection took place in several phases and according to the main objectives of the research. It began with the document overview phase which continued throughout the hall research.
An exploratory study of the whole rice sector led us to a diagnosis of the main difficulties or constraints to the development of the different value chains of local rice in Benin. This exploratory study was carried out in 2013 in all the rice-growing basins in Benin. It shows that seed quality (germination rate, varietal purity, adaptation to ecological conditions, drought, disease and yield) is mentioned by producers as one of the main factors of productivity. Processors also identified mixed paddy, including several varieties, as a factor in low milling yield (high break rate). The traders judge the quality of the hulled grain through a visual observation, based on the homogeneity and coloring of the grains, which according to them is largely determined by varietal purity. The varietal mixture gives a bad result in cooking and an unpleasant taste to consumers. Thus, the quality of rice seed affects the entire local rice sector.
The participatory diagnosis was conducted in 15 communes distributed in the various rice-growing areas in Benin with the aim of better understanding the functioning of local rice value chains. The results of these investigations show that the measures that have been taken by the government, including the subsidy on seeds, fertilizers and the development of production perimeters, in response to the 2008 food crisis, have boosted paddy production. (73,000 tons in 2008 to 220,000 tons in 2012) and the development of local rice value chains. Several local rice labels have thus emerged. Since 2014, government measures aiming production increase have run out of steam and production is stagnating again.
The in-depth studies focused on the operational modes of the seed systems in force and also on specific themes with well-targeted groups of actors in the three departments where research focused on Collines, Zou and Couffo departments.
It is the government structures that dominate the formal seed system (SSF) in Benin. Private companies are struggling to establish themselves and prosper in a policy-interventionist environment that subsidizes seeds and creates non-competitive conditions. However, financial analyzes have shown that seed production is twice as profitable as paddy production in lowland and irrigated rice systems, and three times as much in the rainfall system. Seed producers are generally responsible for rice producers organizations. The low use of quality seed continues to find its reasons under conditions of low accessibility. The costs of disposal, the physical availability of seeds, the delay and flow of information on new varieties are often the factors involved. The formal seed system does not adequately meet the expectations of small-scale rice producers in Benin, whereas small-scale producers account for the bulk of domestic production.
The modes and conditions of access to informal seeds are more varied (donation, exchanges, loans, purchases) and more adapted to the situations of smallholders. The quality of the peasant varieties meets local social and cultural norms, on the understanding that production is often used for self-consumption.
The type of seed used in rice production should, in fact, be determined by the objectives pursued by the consumer rice producer and hence according to the requirements of the target market. The point is that the seed sector does not function as a real value chain serving the key players, the paddy producers and processors, as well as consumers or end users of grain.
The development of the contract farming of rice production by rice mills is a condition that evolves towards a seed system integrated into value chains. The integration of seed systems into value chains is the approach that improves the use of quality seed by small producers.
The proposed seed model is based on the strengths of the informal seed system, which is supported by a dynamic action-research service that regularly feeds good quality genetic material. This material will be reused for a few years (2 to 3) according to the rules of informal systems before being renewed.