Traditionally, agricultural innovation systems have prioritized boosting land and labor productivity. Recent efforts in African countries, including Benin, demonstrate a broader shift in focus through NARS research projects and advisory services promoting sustainable practices. However, there is a scarcity of empirical evidence on transitioning from a productivity-centric focus to addressing diverse sustainability goals within research, extension, and education institutions. Moreover, there is a limited understanding of how these institutions can respond to the diverse and changing skill needs of farmers, who may engage in multifunctional livelihoods based on the combination of crop, livestock, and horticulture, among others, and who may benefit differently from rural agricultural development processes.

This report aims to support the sustainability transition of the agricultural innovation system in Benin by analyzing strategies within agricultural research, extension, and educational institutions aimed at meeting multiple sustainability goals and exploit the potential that digital solutions offer in this regard. The focus of the research was on (a) National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), (b) agricultural advisory services, and (c) Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) institutions. A particular focus of this report is to explore what types of synergies and trade-offs between productivity and other sustainability goals managers and staff members of the above-mentioned institutions address in their efforts to generate and promote agricultural innovations and skill development. The report also explores the general status of AREE, including exploring digitalization efforts, working environments, and staff satisfaction, and examining to what extent AREE institutions are linked with each other (e.g. between NARS and agricultural advisory services) and with international research partners (e.g. CGIAR). The goal is to better understand how to make sure that AREE institutions promoting agricultural development efforts in Benin and elsewhere embrace all dimensions of sustainability.

Published as FARA Research Report 8(5).