Benin, 23 October 2026 – The Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), in partnership with the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Women Development Organization (WDO), and Songhai Centre, has concluded a three-day practical training workshop titled "Strengthening the Capacities of Women in the Processing of Agricultural Products and Forest Fruits for Their Economic and Social Empowerment in Peri-Urban and Rural Areas in Benin." Held from 20 to 22 October 2026 at Songhai Centre in Benin, the workshop brought together women engaged in agricultural processing to strengthen their technical skills, entrepreneurial capacities and economic opportunities.
The initiative aims to enhance the technical and entrepreneurial capacities of rural and peri-urban women engaged in agricultural processing, with a particular focus on improving productivity, product quality, value addition and income-generating opportunities.
Women play a significant role in Benin's agricultural sector, particularly in the processing of cassava, palm oil and soybeans. However, limited access to modern processing technologies, quality assurance systems, business development services and markets continues to constrain their economic potential.
To address these challenges, the workshop provides hands-on training in improved processing techniques for cassava into high-quality gari, palm oil production and soybean processing into soy cheese. Participants also receive practical guidance on food safety, quality control, packaging, storage, entrepreneurship, financial management and product marketing.
The three-day programme combines technical demonstrations with business development sessions, enabling women to acquire practical skills that can be directly applied to their agricultural enterprises. Particular attention is given to reducing post-harvest losses, improving the competitiveness of locally processed products and strengthening women's participation in agricultural value chains.
For IOFS, this activity contributes to its broader efforts to advance women's economic empowerment in agriculture, including through the Women in Agriculture Development Initiative (WADI), which seeks to address structural barriers faced by women farmers and agripreneurs across OIC Member States.
Through this joint initiative, IOFS and its partners reaffirm their commitment to strengthening women's participation in agricultural value chains, promoting sustainable livelihoods and contributing to food security and inclusive economic development across the OIC geography.
