No. Department of Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Republic of Benin THE STUDY ON THE PROMOTION OF INLAND AQUACULTURE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN FINAL REPORT MARCH 2009 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY OVERSEAS AGRO FISHERIES CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. INTEM CONSULTING INC. RD JR 09-22 PREFACE In response to a request from the Government of the Republic of Benin, the Government of Japan decided to conduct a development study on the promotion of inland aquaculture and entrusted the study to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). From April 2007 to February 2009, JICA sent to Benin a study team led by Mr. Masashi SATO of Overseas Agro-Fisheries Consultants Co., Ltd. The team held discussions with concerned officials from the Government of Benin, and conducted a field survey at the study area. After the team returned to Japan, further studies were made, and as a result, the present report was finalized. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of the project and to the enhancement of the friendly relationship between our two countries. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the concerned officials of the Government of the Republic of Benin for their close cooperation extended to the team. March 2009 Ariyuki Matsumoto Vice-President Japan International Cooperation Agency LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Mr. Ariyuki Matsumoto Vice-President Japan International Cooperation Agency Dear Mr. Matsumoto We are pleased to submit to you the Study Report on the promotion of inland aquaculture for rural development in the Republic of Benin. This study report is a compilation of the study results conducted by the study team, with close relations with the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery and concerned organizations during the two-year period from April 2007 to March 2009. It consists of the orientation and concrete programs of the promotion of inland aquaculture for improvement of rural livelihood. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the great understanding and cooperation received from concerned officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery as well as from your agency, during the study period. Additionally, as for the Government of the Republic of Benin, we would like to note the respectful cooperation that we received from the Department of Fisheries and other concerned officials of the Government. Moreover, we would like to express our gratitude to the personnel of Benin office of your agency for their valuable advice and support. Finally, we hope that this report will contribute to your further promotion of the project. Very truly yours, Masashi SATO Project Manager Study team of inland aquaculture development for rural development in the Republic of Benin Consortium of Overseas Agro-Fisheries Consultants Co., Ltd. and INTEM Consulting Inc. Map of Benin i Map of communes ii Map of southern part of Benin iii Contents Preface Letter of transmittal Maps Contents List of figures List of tables Abbreviation Summary CHAPTER 1 FOREWORD............................................................................................................1-1 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY......................................................................................................1-1 1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ...........................................................................................................1-1 1.3 THE TARGET REGIONS OF THE STUDY..........................................................................................1-1 1.4 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY ....................................................................................................1-1 1.5 CONDUCT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY ..................................................................1-1 CHAPTER 2 GENERAL ASPECTS OF BENIN.........................................................................2-1 2.1 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.............................................................................................................2-1 2.1.1 Relief ..............................................................................................................................2-1 2.1.2 Climate ...........................................................................................................................2-1 2.1.3 Water resources ..............................................................................................................2-1 2.2 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................2-4 2.2.1 History............................................................................................................................2-4 2.2.2 People.............................................................................................................................2-4 2.2.3 Administrative divisions................................................................................................2-4 2.2.4 Life Environment...........................................................................................................2-5 2.2.5 People’s organizations ...................................................................................................2-7 2.2.6 Gender and Development..............................................................................................2-9 2.3 ECONOMY...................................................................................................................................2-10 2.3.1 Agriculture ...................................................................................................................2-11 2.3.2 Livestock......................................................................................................................2-12 2.3.3 Fishing..........................................................................................................................2-14 CHAPTER 3 CURRENT SITUATION OF INLAND AQUACULTURE AND ITS POTENTIAL............................................................................................................3-1 3.1 ROLE OF INLAND AQUACULTURE.................................................................................................3-1 3.2 UPPER PROGRAMS ........................................................................................................................3-1 3.3 RELEVANT PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................3-3 3.4 PAST AQUACULTURE PROJECTS....................................................................................................3-4 3.5 DONORS AND NGO ......................................................................................................................3-4 3.6 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANS...........................................................................................................3-4 3.7 CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUACULTURE .......................................................3-8 3.7.1 Overview of aquaculture activities................................................................................3-8 3.7.2 Target species.................................................................................................................3-8 3.7.3 Different forms of aquaculture ......................................................................................3-9 3.7.4 Fish farms and their scale............................................................................................3-10 3.7.5 Role of aquaculture in rural communities...................................................................3-12 3.7.6 Aquaculture facility and production............................................................................3-12 3.7.7 Aquaculture activities by prefectures..........................................................................3-14 3.7.8 Current status and problems of aquaculture activities................................................3-20 iv 3.8 CATEGORIZATION OF DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALS ...................................................................3-26 3.8.1 Regional aquaculture development potential..............................................................3-26 3.8.2 Development potential by type of aquaculture...........................................................3-29 3.9 SOCIAL SURVEY ON THE RURAL COMMUNITIES ........................................................................3-32 CHAPTER 4 MASTER PLAN FOR PROMOTION OF INLAND AQUACULTURE .........4-1 4.1 ISSUES IN THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERING THE PROMOTION OF INLAND AQUACULTURE ........................................................................................................................4-1 4.2 BASIC CONCEPTS..........................................................................................................................4-1 4.2.1 Target fiscal year............................................................................................................4-1 4.2.2 Purposes .........................................................................................................................4-1 4.2.3 Target area......................................................................................................................4-2 4.2.4 Target group ...................................................................................................................4-2