A Geographic Information System Multi-Criteria Evaluation Assessment of Freshwater Aquaculture Suitability in Benin

This paper translates a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation (GIS–MCE) developed for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiH), into a scien-tific manuscript on aquaculture zoning and site suitability in the Republic of Benin. We integrate sub-models on market accessibility, demand (population and asset wealth in-dex), biophysical conditions (water balance, soils, slope), and input availability (crop and livestock systems) to produce suitability indices for three fish farming systems: (i) ex-tensive to semi-intensive small-scale and integrated ponds; (ii) peri-urban intensive closed systems (tanks, ponds, RAS); and (iii) intensive open tilapia cages in waterbodies. A marked south–north gradient emerges, with southern and central communes showing highest suitability for non intensive systems. Priority communes include Bassila, Bantè, Ouessè, Savè, Kétou, Djidja, Agbangnizoun, Zangnanado, Ouinhi, Lalo, Bonou, and Ad-johoun. Intensive closed systems concentrate around Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, and Porto-Novo due to superior market access. For open cage farming, southern permanent waterbodies—particularly Lakes Ahémé and Nokoué and selected reservoirs such as Zagnanando, Azili, and Ilauko—appear promising, though environmental risks (eu-trophication, pollution) warrant caution. We discuss methodological assumptions, data constraints, and limitations (e.g., absence of formal MCDA methods), and conclude with policy recommendations emphasizing environmental safeguards, support to traditional systems (e.g., whédo), improved feed and seed access, and strengthened biosecurity and monitoring frameworks for sustainable aquaculture expansion.