PADES: Promoting Sustainable, Ecological, and Circular Poultry Farming for Better Health

The project is part of the “One Health” approach, which emphasizes the close links between human, animal, and environmental health.

In Benin, the growth of the poultry industry offers economic opportunities but also presents major challenges: excessive use of antibiotics, which promotes antimicrobial resistance; increased risks of zoonotic diseases and food contamination due to proximity to poultry; and inadequate or non-compliant infrastructure. From an environmental perspective, poor management of livestock waste pollutes soil and water, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and increases pressure on natural resources, particularly water and forests. Finally, despite its importance for food security, the sector remains poorly structured and is weakened by rising production costs and competition from imports. Industrial practices also threaten local breeds and the cultural traditions associated with them.

In light of these challenges, the project promotes sustainable, environmentally friendly, and integrated poultry farming, in line with national strategies to promote sustainable agriculture.

What We Do

The PADES project aims to train poultry farmers in natural and local alternatives for animal feed, care, and disease prevention. Particular attention will be paid to the utilization of organic waste through composting, the integration of black soldier fly larvae production as an alternative feed source, and complementarity with market gardening systems. The project will adopt a participatory and experimental approach, similar to the Agro-Pastoral School Fields, so that producers can test, observe, and adapt these innovations to their specific circumstances.

The PADES project will also work to strengthen marketing effortsby developing a local participatory certification system and improving product visibility and communication. It will also launch targeted awareness campaigns (local markets, school cafeterias, urban consumers) to stimulate demand and promote the integration of these products into institutional supply chains.

Target audience

• Direct target audience: 20 young people and women who are family farmers
• The project will also target key intermediaries, such as municipal officials, village leaders, extension workers, local associations, veterinary services, and cooperative leaders, who play a key role in ensuring the project’s local impact and in supporting producers