The actions of BeninCajù project are based on four (4) pillars which are Production, Nuts processing, Sectoral Policy and Institutional Support, and access to financing. All project components work in symbiosis to ensure that the objectives of integration and acceleration of the cashew sector in Benin are effectively achieved. In this perspective, training of producers is implemented according to three models: Gold, Silver and Bronze developed according to the intensity and the time of accompaniment required for producers. The content of these models is essentially made up of the entire package of knowledge to be shared with producers in terms of planting installation techniques, maintenance, disease and pest management, harvesting and post-harvest techniques. The Gold model is implemented over two years, while the Silver and Bronze models cover one year.
The Gold and Silver training models and their follow-up are provided by the CRS partner in collaboration with the NGOs CRADIB, DEDRAS and the National Federation of Cashew Producers of Benin (FENAPAB). In order to promote the appropriation and perpetuation of the project's achievements within the national structures, a partnership has been established between TechnoServe Benin and the Territorial Agricultural Development Agency Pole 4 (ATDA4) to implement the bronze training model (one year) with upstream technical training of trainers (Communal Agricultural Advisors) available in this Agency. The role of the Local Councillors is to pass on this knowledge to the producers in the villages. In order to reinforce these training sessions, TechnoServe Benin carries out post-training follow-up to verify the effective application of good agricultural practices, the content of the training sessions, and the recording of field data on a digital collection platform.
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Born in Bassila, a commune located at 372 km from cotonou in northern Benin, Abdou FATAOU, who is in his thirties, began and completed his schooling at the Lycée MEDJI in Sékou in 2010 where he obtained his Diploma in Tropical Agricultural Studies (DEAT). Specialized in the production of cashew tree grafted seedlings, he started his profession in the cashew sector in 2011 with a 5000 m² site where the cashew tree seedling nursery of which he is the owner extends.  
Married and father of 2 children, Abdou launches at the beginning of each campaign, a call for voluntary labor of about fifteen men and women that he trains in grafting plants. His relationship with the BeninCajù project began with a field agent who puts him in touch with CRS, one of whom went to meet him in October 2017.
"The BeninCajù project made me understand that it was committed to accompanying me on a technical level. In February 2018, I was invited for training to improve my grafting skills in order to increase my production. That's when I understood that I had to be attached to it in order to benefit from his support. " Abdou FATAOU.
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Fataou had a monthly income of around 150,000 CFA francs from the sale of selected seedlings. He had no cash flow, no direct partnerships, no bank account and no financial stability, no idea what the advertisements could bring him. He produced 5000 plants per season.
More details here