Benin / About the city
Introducing Bohicon
Bohicon, a crossroads city in Benin, is a rich cultural and tourist hub. Situated at the intersection of several major roads, it plays a crucial economic role in the country. The city was designated a UNESCO Creative City in 2021 due to the wealth of its intangible cultural heritage, including its artisanal, musical and culinary traditions.
The city is also known for its colonial architecture and fine arts and crafts (pottery, weaving, sculpture). From a tourism perspective, Bohicon attracts many visitors thanks to its vibrant cultural festivals and renowned culinary offerings.
The municipality has embarked on a decentralization process aimed at improving public services and local development. With its strategic location and cultural dynamism, Bohicon is positioning itself as a must-see destination in Benin.
/ Climate & gastronomy
Challenges and actions
Climate change, marked in particular by the scarcity of rainfall, today constitutes a major threat to agricultural and seasonal production in Bohicon. Known as a cultural, economic and administrative crossroads of Benin, the city hosts a huge agricultural market, where production from the surrounding communes as well as local produce is transported. For decades, seasonal products (oranges, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers) have arrived in massive quantities to be redistributed to other cities.
Two major problems are emerging today:
- Declining quantity and quality of products, linked to climate change. The scarcity of rainfall reduces yields and alters quality — for oranges, the color of the pulp or the weight may be affected, making them less attractive on the market.
- Food waste and post-harvest losses. Products that do not find buyers rot massively in collection centers, causing significant economic and food losses.
Faced with this, Bohicon is setting up small processing units for products that will not be sold for quality reasons — turning citrus fruits into juice, and tomatoes and peppers into purée. The objective is to avoid food waste, add value to local production, and find the means necessary for their marketing. Product processing thus appears as a strategy for adapting to climate change and a sustainable solution against agricultural losses.
