Stakeholders' strategies in response to institutional changes in Bénin's agricultural sector

Abstract

The institutional reforms initiated since 2016 in Benin's agricultural sector aim to modernize production, improve access to agricultural inputs and services, and promote strategic value chains. The paper examines the adaptive strategies developed by public and private actors in response to these changes. Based on the theory of organizational resilience and the methodological individualism, the research highlighted collective responses by public institutions, such as strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems and enhancing communication about the reforms. Private actors prioritized activity diversification, organizational restructuring and strategic recruitment. At the individual level, smallholders adjusted their practices according to new directives, adopted cooperative strategies, and explored alternative means to access agricultural services. These dynamics reveal a heterogeneity of actions, shaped by institutional and individual capacities to anticipate and respond to reforms. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of involving implementers as well as beneficiaries perceptionin decision-making processes to enhance the relevance and sustainability of agricultural policies.