Marchés et logiques d’acteurs dans le système semencier de l'anacarde au Bénin

English Abstract: The cashew sector contributes substantially to the economic growth and food and nutritional security in Benin. Despite the efforts of agricultural research, this sector faces several constraints, mainly the use of non-performing seeds. The objective of this study was to investigate the state governance of the cashew seed system in Benin with emphasis on the perceptions, discourses and practices of seed producers in the face of normative measures and the actions of institutional actors. Discourses and practices collected from a sample of 107 cashew grafted plants producers were examined through thematic content analysis. The results showed that independent of institutional stakeholders and cashew seed producers were flexible to access production resources and to sell their seedlings. Brokering between their peers and institutions, as well as sub-contracting with the ‘’non-recognised’’ are strategies that these seed producers and real rational agents develop in regard to the normative system. These logics are, therefore, not only to be considered in cashew nut sector development actions, but also for the visibility of efforts made by all the stakeholders