Developed during the SEED4AFRICA national hackathon in Benin, HORTIME-T (Horticulture Mediterranean and Tropical) is an agribusiness initiative aimed at ensuring year-round tomato production in Southern Benin through greenhouse-based hydroponic farming and strong market linkages. The business idea addresses the structural weaknesses of open-field vegetable production, which is highly exposed to climatic hazards, seasonal shortages and unstable incomes for market gardeners.
At the core of HORTIME-T is the creation of a network of market gardeners who invest in hydroponic tomato production under greenhouses. In its initial phase, the project plans to work with 15 selected producers, supporting them in adopting protected cultivation techniques that improve yields, product quality and resilience to climate variability. This system enables continuous production across seasons, reduces dependence on chemical inputs and extends the growing cycle beyond traditional limits.
A key innovation of HORTIME-T lies in its aggregator-based business model. Tomatoes produced by the network are sold directly to a structured group of consumers, including restaurants, hotels and households, through short supply chains. The network operates as a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), ensuring quality, transparency and trust without the costs of conventional certification, while strengthening relationships between producers and buyers.
Beyond production, HORTIME-T offers an integrated set of services combining technology, creative finance and contract-based sales. By innovating through contractual agreements and collective marketing, the initiative improves affordability for producers and market security for buyers. The project also contributes to skills development by reinforcing the technical capacities of market gardeners in greenhouse management and organic production practices.
By combining smart greenhouse technology, cooperative organisation and market-driven innovation, HORTIME-T fully reflects the objectives of the SEED4AFRICA project: empowering agripreneurs to build sustainable, climate-resilient and economically viable food systems adapted to African contexts.