Typologie des profils entrepreneuriaux des producteurs de maïs au Bénin

In a context of progressive transformation of agricultural systems in Benin, agricultural entrepreneurship appears as a major lever for integrating family farms into markets. However, maize producers display differentiated levels of entrepreneurial structuring, limiting the effectiveness of uniform agricultural policies. This study aims to analyze the entrepreneurial profiles of maize producers in Benin. Data collected from 390 producers in the municipalities of Gogounou, Kétou, and Pèrèrè were analyzed using a factor analysis followed by a typological classification. The results show that entrepreneurial behaviors are primarily structured by access to training, support services, and financing, as well as by productive experience and market orientation. Three entrepreneurial profiles were identified: non-entrepreneurs (42.31 %), characterized by a subsistence logic and limited access to resources; transitioning agro-entrepreneurs (22.82 %), displaying intermediate characteristics; and structured entrepreneurs (34.87 %), more strongly oriented toward the market, processing, diversification, and risk-taking. The results also highlight the decisive role of human capital, support mechanisms, and access to financing in the entrepreneurial structuring of farms. The study thus underscores the need for differentiated agricultural policies tailored to the different producer profiles.