Following the successful functional audit of the Ministry of Agriculture (MAEP) in Benin, as part of the HD-led PADDSA project (Assistance technique à la mise en oeuvre du programme PADDSA), two consequential key fundamental documents were recently cleared – the “Reinforcement Capacity Plan” (Plan de Renforcement des Capacités - PRC) and the “Training Plan” (Plan de Formation), foreseeing a multi-year and multimillion investment in enhancing the services of the Ministry.
The PRC will strengthen the Agricultural sector institutionally,coupled with an intensive training programme. Both plans were discussed at respective high-level workshops attended by all stakeholders at the highest level.
The PRC is a highly ambitious plan to restructure some of the most vital functions of the Ministry of Agriculture. The plan covers functions related to internal organisation, procedures, material and financial resources, and institutional relations.
One of the foundations of the plan is to strengthen the technical and operational capacities of the central and
decentralised services of the MAEP. As there is a lack of those who are qualified to formulate, implement and monitor agricultural policy, it is necessary to recruit qualified agents capable of carrying out such vital tasks. Likewise, there is a lack of material and logistical resources to carry out such a policy. Additionally, as part of the plan, the MAEP will acquire office equipment, including computers and vehicles, making
staff better capacitated to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.
As noted, the PRC is a far-reaching and striving plan, which, in essence, seeks to restructure the ministry as a whole.