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The Republic of Benin is a low-income, food-deficit country with a predominantly rural population estimated at 11.2 million. A politically stable democracy since 1990, with a socio-political environment that is friendly and conducive to business, the country nevertheless ranked 158 of 189 countries on the 2020 Human Development Index. The national poverty rate stood at 40.1 percent in 2015.

Agriculture is the primary economic activity in Benin. In 2019, it accounted for 28% of gross domestic product (GDP) and employed 70% of the workforce, while also being highly exposed to climatic pressures. Agriculture in Benin is mainly practiced on smallholder farms, with over 70% of the population practicing subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods

In recent years, degradation and loss of land, forest and natural habitats—in a context increasingly marked by a changing climate—has begun to seriously undermine human development in Benin. Land degradation has impacted negatively on the productivity of ecosystems in Benin. It is estimated that about 2.2 million hectares of land, equal to 19% of the national territory, were degraded between 2000 and 2010. During this period, observed climate variability and change, such as changes in seasonal distribution and  precipitation patterns, more intense rains, higher temperatures and stronger wind storms, have increased and are beginning to have an increasingly significant impact on ecosystem services and agricultural outcomes.

This project untitled "Restoring and Enhancing the Value of Degraded Lands and Forest Ecosystems for Enhanced Climate Resilience in Benin (PIRVaTEFoD-Benin)" will address a range of barriers and challenges and will be carried out at national, communal, and local site levels where degraded lands have been targeted for improved, climate risk-informed land management practices to support the achievement of Benin’s LDN goals and to help meet national NDC objectives for climate change adaptation.