Stakeholder survey: improved financial services and training for smallholder farmers in Benin
11 December 2025
RENACA (Réseau National des Caisses Villageoises d’Épargne et de Crédit Autogérées du Bénin), a mutual microfinance institution, benefited from a SSNUP project via the Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation to enhance the effectiveness of its agricultural lending. During the project, their smallholder farmer customers received financial and agricultural training while RENACA’s loan officers were trained on how to evaluate loans more efficiently.
In collaboration with Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation, SSNUP conducted a perception survey among 245 RENACA customers to provide an in-depth understanding of the effects of the project.
A large majority of the surveyed farmers reported stronger financial management, with around three-quarters improving planning and savings. A more efficient use of resources and sustainable farming practices, such as crop diversification, led to increased productivity and improved livelihoods: over 80% of the farmers reported an increase in production and earnings and nearly 90% now enjoy a better quality of life.