Dapaong, 12 December 2025: The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources and Food Sovereignty (MAPRASA) officially handed over 60 motor cultivators to agricultural cooperatives in the Savanes region on behalf of the Minister.
The 60 motor cultivators were acquired as part of the implementation of the Food System Resilience Programme in West Africa (FSRP-Togo). This equipment was acquired for the benefit of 5,025 producers (including 2,881 women) operating in the ZAAPs in the Savanes, Kara and Centrale regions. The aim of this support is to improve sustainable access to agricultural mechanisation services, increase productivity and strengthen food security in the targeted areas.
During the symbolic handover of the equipment, the Minister's representative reiterated the President of the Council's vision of making Togolese agriculture a productive, high value-added sector that creates wealth and drives the country's economic growth. He urged the beneficiaries to use the motor cultivators responsibly and rationally in order to ensure their sustainability, stimulate local economic development and contribute effectively to the fight against poverty.
The heavy and light motor cultivators come with essential accessories such as shredders, trailers, carts, mowers, harrows, stone removers, cage wheels and spare parts. Their acquisition meets the needs expressed by producers and is part of a cost-sharing management approach, as highlighted by the FSRP's deputy operational coordinator, , in his speech: "These motor cultivators will be managed on a cost-sharing basis, meaning that beneficiaries will contribute 50% of the purchase price of the equipment. This will ensure that they are used properly, that they are durable and that it will be possible to purchase more in the future for producers who are also in need."
The choice of motor cultivators is the result of an in-depth analysis of soil characteristics, with the aim of preserving soil structure and contributing to the gradual restoration of degraded land through sustainable agricultural practices. This equipment is also designed to be accessible to women and young people, who are key players in agricultural development.
Agricultural advisers specialising in farm management (CTGEA) and the beneficiaries themselves have been trained at the National Agricultural Training Institute in Tové (INFA de Tové) on the use and management of the equipment. A monitoring and support system is in place to ensure the optimal and sustainable use of the equipment. "The motor cultivators we are handing over today are not just tools, but real levers for transforming agriculture," emphasised the FSRP Coordinator, inviting producers to make judicious use of them.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor of the Savanes region, the Secretary General of the governorate, Kegbero Latifou Seigneur, praised the leadership of the President of the Council, His Excellency Faure E. GNASSINGBE, whose vision and commitment to peace and security enable the population to carry out their agricultural activities in favourable conditions. He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the equipment in a spirit of collective responsibility so that each farming community could reap the full benefits.
In addition to providing 60 motor cultivators, the FSRP has achieved major accomplishments that reflect the scope of its interventions in the field. These include:
- the distribution of input kits consisting of certified seeds and fertilisers to 81,558 farmers in the ZAAPs, including 36,953 women, representing 45.3% of beneficiaries.
- The provision of market gardening kits (certified market garden seeds, biofertilisers and tools) to 7,267 producers, including 3,572 women (49.15%);
- The financing of 413 sub-projects led by young people and women as part of the PURS, reflecting the FSRP's commitment to rural employment and economic empowerment;
- Support for the construction of 1,600 livestock shelters and the provision of breeding stock for the small ruminant and poultry sectors;
- The ongoing development of four ZAAPs in the Savanes region, with the construction of superstructures and storage facilities.
These achievements have had a tangible, measurable and significant impact on the living conditions and economic performance of the beneficiaries. For example, 79.1% of beneficiary producers in the Savanes region report an improvement in their agricultural yields; 60.25% of beneficiary women report an increase in their income, compared to 23.36% of men. There has also been an increase in income of +83.6% in the Savanes region and +85.9% in the Kéran prefecture;
Beyond these figures, the FSRP's actions have promoted the sustainable reintegration of many producers who had previously abandoned their farms due to lack of resources, thereby contributing to strengthening agricultural resilience and reviving local economies.
