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Ph:DR: President Patrice TALON insisted on crop rotation
The Head of State, Mr. Patrice TALON, in the presence of the Minister of State for Development and Coordination of Government Action, Abdoulaye BIO TCHANÉ, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries , Gaston Cossi DOSSOUHOUI, and the Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou ASSOUMAN, held a working session with officials from the National Union of Soybean Producers in Benin (UNAPS-Benin), the Association Interprofessional Cotton (AIC) and the National Federation of Cotton Producers of Benin (FNPC), this Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the Palais de la Marina.
At the center of the discussions, finding a solution to the crisis currently shaking the soybean industry. And the session delivered good news for soybean farmers.
“Soybean farmers are celebrating”.
This is the conclusion drawn by Steev K. ADJAMAN, President of the National Union of Soybean Producers in Benin (UNAPS-Benin), at the end of the working session. Obviously, the smile and the first words of the Head of State at the start of this session presaged such satisfaction from the soybean producers, distraught lately by the crisis that is shaking their sector. Indeed, the Head of State, from the outset, expressed his joy to find the actors of the agricultural world, precisely the soybean farmers. Patrice TALON however regretted that there are unfortunately some fears in the sector, which is why the actors wanted to meet the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on certain concerns. “The Minister reported to me on your meeting and I decided to meet you to consider solutions to end the crisis”indicated the President of the Republic.
And for a way out of the crisis, the “magical and unexpected” solution has been found, rejoices the president of the Union. Indeed, the meetings between the Head of State and the producers, then ministers with the same producers made it possible to retain, in a consensual way, the purchase price at 270 FCFA for conventional soybeans, and 320 FCFA for soybeans. organic.
Urgent measures to sell all the unsold stock that worries the actors. On this aspect, the President and Program Manager of the National Union of Soybean Producers in Benin (UNAPS-Benin), presented an embarrassing situation for the 60,000 members of their Union, 1,497 of whom have taken out loans from CLCAM to produce soybeans. They planted 4,492 hectares for a production of 5,390 tons. But an unsold production, because of the drop in prices. Consequence: impossibility of reimbursing the credit of 634,045,000 F CFA whose maturity has expired. Of all the 400,000 tonnes of production in the soybean basins, 182,500 tonnes, according to the Union, remain unsold.
For the producers, it’s a disaster. So, “we have come to ask you to save the situation, the sector and especially the next agricultural campaign”, asked President Steev K. ADJAMAN. “We are not going to make ourselves hara kiri”, replied the Head of State, who added: “The Government cannot remain deaf to your cry of distress”. And the good news immediately fell. All the remaining stock will be purchased by the State through the Société d’Investissement et de Promotion de l’Industrie (SIPI Benin SA) and paid for at the price of 270 FCFA for conventional soybeans, 250 FCFA for downgraded soybeans and 320 FCFA for organic soy.
But beyond the current situation, the solution of which appeals to producers, it is a whole sector that must be saved over time, for the benefit of the well-being of the populations and the development of the country. And on this level, the Head of State is categorical. “We are making efforts to promote agricultural sectors, especially cashew and soy. But these efforts, unfortunately, do not benefit the country, but individuals. In Benin, only cotton contributes to public resources. Which is not normal. Our ambition is for the agricultural sector to generate agricultural industry. So, apart from cotton, other agricultural speculations should do the same. This is why we have decided that from April 2024, cashews and soybeans will no longer be exported in their raw state. The productions will be transformed on site. This will create jobs and national wealth. We will not continue to reach out to others. Benin will distinguish itself differently by counting on its efforts, on its agricultural producers. And each of us will do our part. This is the reason for the introduction of export royalties. They contribute to the development of our country”.
Patrice TALON also insisted on crop rotation, for good productivity and sustainable soil preservation. President Steev K. ADJAMAN praised the good-natured and relaxed spirit that characterized the session and thanked the Head of State for having promoted soybeans to the rank of emerging sectors. “If soya has taken off, it is thanks to the current government,” he said. The Union undertakes to work to promote the sector and to support the Government in its ambition to produce one million tonnes of soybeans in the coming years. (Gouv.bj)
