Farming Dynamıcs

Number 10 July 2006 Farming dynamıcs SELF-MANAGED LIVESTOCK MARKETs : THE BENINESE EXAMPLE Introduction In this issue of FD, we would like to share with you an agri- Overview cultural innovation developed by the breeders of Gogounou, in à The context of livestock the North of Benin, who are members of the regional union of farming in Benin professional organisations of ruminant breeders of Borgou and Alibori (Udoper). à Traditional livestock markets This initiative is, above all, a human adventure, a battle of a handful of breeders who are convinced that their situation à The creation of the first could be improved. They have been able to meet, discuss and self-managed livestock market mobilise an entire community in order to fundamentally change in Gogounou well-established traditional working patterns. à Functioning of the self-managed It is impossible to explain in a few pages the adventure of livestock market of Gogounou the Beninese breeders. Therefore, we have chosen to focus on a particular aspect: the creation of livestock markets that are à Direct results of the self- managed by the people who are directly involved. managed market of Gogounou These self-managed markets are an authentic instrument at the service of the professional organisation of breeders that à Spreading the results beyond Gogounou foster livestock and local development and show that a win-win strategy between producers and traders/intermediaries is pos- à Future limitations and sible and that for producers, “to sell better” does not necessarily challenges mean “to get rid of traders and intermediaries”. à Lessons Some of the activities being carried out at these markets are: increasing the producers’ income while safeguarding the References interests of other key actors, facilitating the balance between supply and demand, bringing more transparency to transactions and offering livestock related services. They also contribute to improve market access to products and could serve as an inspira- tion for other development actors. Page 2 The context of livestock Traditional livestock markets farming in Benin Traditionally, livestock sale takes place in Benin has more than 6 million inhabitants, the Peulh camps, where the breeder is at two thirds of which live in the rural area. the mercy of the buyer and has no informa- ming r In the northern area, the driest one with tion or negotiating power regarding prices. 900 to 1 100 mm of rain per year we can There are also the so- called “traditional” find two thirds of the national livestock livestock markets, regulated by local Fa (1,5 million cattle and 2 million sheep authorities and organised by intermediar- and goats). Almost half of the cattle herds ies or “Dilaalï” in the Haoussa language, live in the northern regions of Borgou and an authentic institution anchored in the Alibori, where the self-managed livestock local socio-economic organisation. dynamıcs markets were created. In these traditional markets, the Dilaalï The breeding of big ruminants is mainly are in charge of housing breeders and done by the Peulh and the Gando, but with buyers (butchers, traders) and act on their the help of animal traction, farmers also behalf during the transaction: there is no became breeders. To this group, we need direct relation between the breeder and the to add the migrants of Niger, Burkina Faso buyer. The Dilaalï are paid the difference and Nigeria that went to Benin following between the purchasing price and the sell- the droughts of the 70’s and 80’s. ing price. The most common breeding system is semi- The butchers, who used to be of Haoussa sedentary, with a small seasonal migration and Yoruba origin, are nowadays native. in the rainy season and a big one in the dry Traders are from Haoussa, Zerma and season. These migrations inside the coun- mostly Peulh and we can differentiate try play an important role and exist due two types: traders-resellers who visit the to agricultural, environmental, economic, primary collect markets and supply the cultural and land-related reasons. But grouped secondary markets or specialised straying animals remain a source of severe traders that buy in large quantities in sec- and sometimes lethal conflicts between ondary markets and transfer the livestock farmers and breeders. towards the markets of Cotonou, Lomé In the big livestock areas there are local and Nigeria. primary markets. They supply livestock In this impenetrable system, the breeder for secondary markets that serve as a relay and buyer do not know the real market towards the southern regional markets of price and there are frequent conflicts with Benin (Bohicon and Cotonou) and external the intermediaries. At the end, breeders markets (Lomé in Togo, Ibadan in Nigeria, feel ripped off and are reluctant to sell Accra in Ghana). Lately, massive popula- their livestock. In this context they have tions of livestock have been transferred launched initiatives to sell their animals at from Burkina Faso towards Nigeria via the better conditions. Beninese markets (Parakou, Bohicon). Page 3 The creation of the first breeders, butchers, traders, loaders), safe- self-managed livestock market guarding the regular management of the in Gogounou market. Taxes (100 Fcfa/sold unit) were no longer managed by the VG but they were The self-managed livestock markets were put into an open account at the local Bank ming created in Gogounou in the 70’s, the result of mutual agricultural credit. r of self-determined charismatic leaders and In the new market characterised by the grass-roots actors. They went through dif- conversion of the intermediary Dilaalï in ferent stages supported by several external paid witnesses, there is: Fa factors. K direct contact between supply and demand; K A firm start (1976-80) K transactions facilitated and certified by A group of breeders and local leaders, the witness; dynamıcs particularly Aboubacar Tidjani Demo, K better information and transparency rose up against the impenetrable trading regarding prices. system held by the Dilaalï in the tradi- Breeders are satisfied by this system tional livestock market: they decided to which led to income increases. The former stop sending animals to the market. There Dilaalï are no longer perceived as crooks were tensions and threats, some leaders because they are now paid by breeders at were even imprisoned to force the breeders a fixed and pre-determined manner for to put their animals on sale. But the latter an efficient service. At the same time, the defied the pressure and two months later Old Sages are accommodated by the small the market of Gogounou collapsed. amounts that they still receive. That was when the process towards a more transparent management of trans- K Creation of the Local Association to actions started. The intermediaries were manage the market (1995) not excluded from the system, since this In 1995 the market of Gogounou received would have been neither economically nor a more formal and recognised legal socially sustainable for them, and would framework with the creation of the Local be undermined sooner or later. In fact, Association to manage the livestock market they were integrated at the core of the new (ALGMB). The association has statutes, market, albeit with a new role: the role of regulations and the following objectives: witnesses (Seedêbè) between breeders and K to offer moral and material support to buyers. Their task was to facilitate the the breeders for the promotion of animal sale of animals registering the transaction health; and gathering a tax. This tax of 25 Fcfa K to try to reduce the commercial inter- per sold unit was managed by the village mediaries and facilitate trade between group (VG). One third of it was paid to breeders, buyers and consumers ; the witnesses and two thirds to the Old K to ensure the regular supply of livestock Sages of Gogounou (important people in in the market; the ancient system). K to promote and manage the market; K to guarantee the education and associa- K Organisation of a Market Management tive training of members; Committee with multiple actors (1986) K to facilitate mutual aid and solidarity The organisation of the market has evolved among members; towards the installation of a manage- K to conduct all kinds of legal activity that ment committee. This committee brought can provide moral, social and material together all parties (breeders and agro- support to the members. Page 4 K External support (1990-99) K collecting a tax for all transactions, in The Gogounou breeders have obtained full transparency, under the control of technical and financial support from secretaries and witnesses (1000 Fcfa/ structures (1) or projects (2) of the State. cattle unit and 200 Fcfa/small ruminant, This support has allowed them to improve paid in equal parts by the breeder and ming r the functioning of the market mainly buyer) and account keeping; through training, mutual visits and advice K regular ordinary meetings (technical and on financial management, documentation, financial balance sheet, programme of Fa basic animal welfare and the management activities) and extraordinary meetings and solution of conflicts. This support has (to solve conflicts, to deal with cases of also allowed equipping the market with stolen animals…). an office, a pharmacy, a boarding plat- To facilitate its task, the management com- (3) dynamıcs form and a well and has also structured mittee pays the following agents : the market space. K witnesses – former Dilaalï – they certify In all theses actions, the participation and transactions and send the taxes received financial engagement of breeders takes a to the secretaries. They are paid about partnership approach, and is not intended 25% of the taxes as an act of charity. K supervisors, they verify the tickets before departure of the animals (income : 2000 Fcfa/market) Functioning of the self- K secretaries, they issue the tickets, collect managed livestock market taxes and send them to the treasurer of of Gogounou the committee of market management (income: 2750 Fcfa/market).

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