Improving Child Nutrition in Benin through Fortified Flour Products

Apr 10, 2023

Oasis des Enfants is a family-run business in Abomey-Calavi, Benin, which makes nutritious and reasonably priced enriched flour from soybeans, maize, peanuts, and sorghum. Since 2015, Mireille Déguénon's family business in Benin has been contributing to improved child nutrition by producing these nutritious flour products made from indigenous staples. According to the World Food Programme, one in three children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition, highlighting the need for nutritious food products, such as those produced by Oasis.  

While Oasis des Enfants currently operated a successful business selling enriched flour products, the company faced a significant challenge when it did not meet the newly updated food safety requirements in Benin. To stay compliant with food safety regulations and expand its market opportunities, the company needed to upgrade its production facility and equipment, as well as build its organizational and marketing capacity. 

In 2019, USADF awarded Oasis with a US$86K capacity-building grant to purchase a dryer, better stoves, and a food-grade mill,  allowing them to increase their cereal-processing operations and modernize their production facilities. This funding not only allowed the company to hire more managers and increase production, but it also helped them become certified in food safety. They have built sales stations in all twelve departments (regions) of Benin, and they have held nationwide tasting sessions to promote their enriched flour products. 

The impact of the USADF grant has been substantial. 

Oasis des Enfants' sales revenue increased from a baseline of US$30K (FCFA 18,066,700) to more than US$60K (FCFA 36,133,400) at the end of the project's second year as a direct result of the grant.  Additionally, Oasis installed a small laboratory inside their facility to facilitate the production of their teas. 

Oasis has improved its production capabilities and market competitiveness, putting it in a prime position to expand its reach and have a greater influence on child nutrition in Benin. The company's success also exemplifies the ability of small businesses to provide better living conditions for their employees, suppliers, and their families by enhancing food security, raising earnings, and reducing poverty.