AUTHOR=Agoyi Eric Etchikinto , Ahomondji Symphorien Essèdjo , Butare Louis , Nchanji Eileen Bogweh , Ayi Sergino , Assogbadjo Achille , Sinsin Brice Augustin 

TITLE=Prospects of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production and commercialization in Benin

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1180134

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2023.1180134

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=Vegetables and fruits are highly recommended in diets because of their nutritional importance. Among those, leguminous vegetables are more important, for low-income countries, because of their protein, mineral contents and potential to increase food security and income. In Benin, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are the most consumed leguminous vegetables; however, their production is declining, driving the need to understand the current status of its industry to propose solutions for the revival of the sector. From a gender lens, this paper assessed the production system, market value, marketing channels, seed systems, and the constraints associated with snap beans production in Benin. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 602 bean producers and traders, randomly selected from 12 major vegetable-producing areas across Benin. The study found a drastic decline in the production of snap beans, with more than 60% abandonment over the last decade. As a consequence, Benin gets supplied through importations, with the highest importation flow coming from Togo (51%), followed by Burkina Faso (25%) and Ghana (12%). Only 13% of the beans traded are locally produced. The main causes of the decline were pests and diseases that affect the yield and quality of the crops, causing the local produce to be less valued than imported ones. Women are heavily involved in marketing but can’t expand their business due to low production and high importation. The study recommends that integrated pest management (IPM), and new varieties with tolerance to major pests and diseases be developed and producers trained on agronomic practices.