afrol News, 1 October - The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) has signed three grants to support livestock markets in Benin.

The grants will benefit l’Association Locale de Gestion du Marché à Bétail Auto-Géré de Gogounou (ALGMB), l’Union Communale des Professionnels des Eleveurs de Ruminants d’Abomey (UCOPER Abomey), and l’Union Communale des Organisations Professionnelles des Eleveurs de Ruminants de Dogue (UCOPER Dogue).

Speaking about the grants, USADF President Lloyd Pierson stated “These three grants support livestock markets in Benin. The improvements to these livestock markets will no doubt attract more buyers, increasing revenues of livestock owners.”

ALGMB manages one of the largest livestock markets in Benin. Providing brokerage services between its more than 4,600 members and livestock buyers, the organisation helps provide a framework to promote the interests of livestock owners while generating funds for local social development.

The ALGMB organises markets attended by hundreds of buyers and sellers each week and provides training for members. However, inadequate water, lodging, and loading facilities result in costly delays, injury to animals and people, and increased fees. The three year grant will construct guest house facilities, public toilets and showers at the market, upgrades to market facilities including a well and a loading dock, and provide for training.

The UCOPER Abomey is a cooperative association of village livestock herding groups that manages the Abomey livestock market. The market was created to improve transparency and increase members’ revenues through the sale of livestock. However, the market’s poor infrastructure makes it difficult to attract traders. The three year grant will be used to fence the market and construct a warehouse and a loading dock. The grant will also provide funds to construct public toilets, a water trough for animals, and provide for working capital.

The UCOPER Dogue is a cooperative of livestock herding groups in Dogue. It was built on a site that was formerly the scene of violence between farmers and herders that is now a symbol of peace and economic activity for residents. However, poor infrastructure limits revenue generation. The three year grant will be used to build an office, fence, and loading dock, as well as construct water troughs and public toilets.

USADF began programming in Benin in 1986. Benin’s current portfolio stands at fifteen investment projects totaling $2.36 million.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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