Scaling Regenerative Organic Pineapple in Benin through Dynamic Agroforestry

RegionAfrica
FocusCapacity building, Agroforestry, Climate Change,
Main cropPineapple
Duration2026-2029
ByECOTOP Suisse
Tags
Beneficiaries1600+ smallholder
Demonstration Plots190 DAF Demo Plots
EducationImplementation of "Blended Learning" (digital + field training) via the SkillEd platform
Market AccessTransitioning farms toward Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC™) status to secure premium international prices.
Gender ImpactSpecific governance training to empower the female-led supply chain.

Sustainable Pineapple Production in Benin: The Impact Cluster Project

Project Overview

Benin is Africa’s fourth-largest pineapple exporter, but climate change is threatening traditional monocultures. Through the “Improved Livelihoods” project (2025–2029), we are transitioning 1,600+ smallholder farmers to Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF). This system regenerates soil health, cools crops during heatwaves, and secures long-term organic livelihoods for the RePAB cooperative.

Project Overview

How can Benin’s pineapple sector adapt to a changing climate? Through the “Improved Livelihoods” initiative (2025–2029), we are transitioning 1,600+ farmers to Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF). This project secures organic supply chains by regenerating soil health and cooling crops during extreme heatwaves, ensuring long-term resilience for the RePAB cooperative.

How does Dynamic Agroforestry solve climate risks in Benin?

At Ecotop, we implement DAF to recreate forest ecosystems. This approach uses stratified planting to create a natural canopy that protects pineapples from fruit burn. By managing high-biomass pruning, we provide the soil with natural fertilization and moisture retention, effectively eliminating the requirement for synthetic inputs.

The activities align with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDFs): 

Project Partners

Tradin Organic Logo

Tradin Organic

Tradin Organic is a global leader in sourcing and supplying certified organic ingredients, specializing in building sustainable value chains for a wide variety of products, including cocoa, coffee, and fruit....
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Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is a government agency that supports entrepreneurs, NGOs, and knowledge institutes in realizing international ambitions in sustainability, innovation, and international business. Operating under the auspices...
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SkillEd

SkillEd develops innovative digital learning tools designed specifically for rural and low-connectivity environments. By transforming Ecotop’s technical expertise into accessible, mobile-friendly training modules, SkillEd ensures that regenerative farming knowledge is...
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RePAB Cooperative

Based in the Allada plateau, RePAB is the national network representing over 1,600 smallholder pineapple farmers in Benin. As the primary implementation partner, RePAB manages the internal control systems (ICS)...
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