The Support Project for the Development of Market Gardening (PADMAR)

The Support Project for the Development of Market Gardening (PADMAR) is implemented in the southern region of Benin and operates in seven departments (Atlantic, Couffo, Littoral, Mono, Ouémé, Plateau and Zou). The choice of departments and communes is based on the following four criteria: -the existence of a potential or an emerging profitable small-scale vegetable farming market; -the existence of a hydro-agricultural potential that can be developed and mobilised for small-scale farming at reasonable costs; -the proximity of major consumer markets, including the conurbations of Lagos, Ibadan, Lomé, Accra and Cotonou; -the high incidence of poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition, as well as a high rate of youth unemployment. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable improvement of food and nutrition security and the reduction of rural poverty in the project area, as well as to sustainably increase the income of vegetable farms, while strengthening their resilience to the effects of climate change.