Professionalization and Strengthening of the training at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Parakou for sustainable cotton-based production systems – PreFoSyc

The cotton sector is an important source of economic growth and growth-generating activities in Benin, one of Africa's major producers of seed cotton. The increase in production and productivity of its crop and the improvement of access to markets raise a number of challenges: transformation, securing sustainable livelihoods for farms and food sovereignty and the integration of agropastoral systems. The ambition is also to secure the income of rural women and youth, improve resilience to climate change and the sustainability of cotton-based cropping systems.
The Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Parakou (FA-UP) has a diversified team and an agricultural farm in the heart of Benin's cotton basin. However, FA-UP's training offer is not easily adapted to market needs. The lack of a professional integration system, of rigorous monitoring of social demand for training, and of dedicated support for entrepreneurship explain this situation, which is reinforced by the lack of collaboration between research and development institutions.
Associated with the International School of Agro-Development (ISTOM), the Institute of Cotton Research (IRC), and the Centre for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), FA-UP will provide with this project two master's level courses, doctoral level courses and life-long education to improve the professional integration of learners and the creation of autonomous business by young graduates, following the gender approach, to effectively address the challenges of skills development in all the value chain associated with the cotton sector in Benin, in accordance with the strategic axes of the Government Action Program 2021-2026 of Benin.