Togo

More than 29,000 beneficiaries in the Savannah region and the Kéran prefecture have benefited from multi-faceted support in the form of certified rice and soya seeds, market gardening tools, biopesticides and fertilisers as part of the implementation of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (PRSA) to significantly increase agricultural productivity, boost producers' incomes and ultimately ensure sustainable food and nutritional security in Togo.

This intervention by PRSA-Togo is in line with the many actions that the project is implementing as part of the Emergency Programme for the Savannah Region (PURS), designed to strengthen the resilience of the populations of this northern zone of Togo. After receiving the kits, the beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction. This is the case of LANKOME Tilate, a satisfied beneficiary from Tampialime in the prefecture of Tandjouaré.

"My name is LANKOME Tilate and I come from the village of Tampialime in the prefecture of Tandjouaré. Our cooperative has been identified to benefit from the improved rice and soya seeds that the FSRP project has acquired for us. I sit on our cooperative's management committee as treasurer. Our organisation is a ZAAP* cooperative. Before, we used to use the old crops as seeds, but this time, with the certified seeds that the FSRP has bought for us, we are very happy. We're not going to use the old seeds any more. We're going to use these seeds in the firm belief that their yield will be better. This will enable us to meet the needs of our husbands and children, so that we can have a peaceful family environment. We can therefore say that this support heralds a better tomorrow for us women farmers. We would like to thank the Togolese government, specifically the Minister of Agriculture and the FSRP project, for this support, which will have a positive impact on our harvest and benefit the whole family," she says, happy and optimistic.

One of the sectors most affected by the effects of climate change agriculture. In rural areas, climate change directly affects producers and exposes households to food insecurity. The basic natural resources of production systems are sensitive and deteriorating.

In order increase the resilience of production systems to the effects of climate change, the Food System Resilience Programme in West Africa (FSRP Togo) is supporting the training of facilitators for the implementation of the Participatory and Integrated Climate Services Agriculture (PICSA) approach in rural and farming communities.

The aim of this training is to help build farmers' resilience to climate variability and change, with a view to improving agricultural productivity.

The training took place in two phases. The first (theoretical) phase involved training facilitators from the Institut Togolais de Rechers Aagricoles (ITRA), the Institut de Conseil et d'Appui Technique (ICAT), the Agence Nationale de la Météorologie (ANAMET) and CONACILSS. The second phase (practical) took place in the field at Farendè in the canton of Lama-tessi, Binah prefecture, and involved more than 90 local producers.

The field work involved drawing up a resource allocation map, a seasonal calendar, calculating the probabilities of agro-climatic characteristics based on historical data, and risk management. It was an interactive and participatory session that enabled the facilitators and farmers to become more familiar with the PICSA approach, with a view to improving resilience to the effects of climate change in Togo.

In the specific context of climate change, characterised by drought, irregular rainfall, the proliferation of plant pests and the development of harmful bacteria leading to the impoverishment of arable land, the adoption of agro-ecological practices is the best strategy for achieving food and nutritional security, combating poverty and creating jobs in rural areas through the sustainable use of developed areas.

To this end, the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) is supporting the Togolese Coordination of Farmers' and Agricultural Producers' Organisations (CTOP) to train 3,000 farmers operating the ZAAPs in southern Togo through its agro-ecological farm school scheme.

This first training course, which covers the Maritime, Eastern Plateau and Western Plateau regions, aims to strengthen the sustainability of the production systems practised in the ZAAPs and the resilience of the beneficiary households. A total of 3,000 farmers will be trained in several stages, the first of which consists of training 300 relay farmers identified in 60 ZAAPs, who will in turn be responsible for relaying and training farmers in their respective ZAAPs in the agro-ecological practices learned during the training.

The launch ceremony for this series of training courses was marked by the handing over of kits consisting of boots, waistcoats and learner's manuals donated by the project to the participants.

About ZAAPs

The Zones d'Aménagement Agricole Planifiées (ZAAP) are production blocks of at least 100 ha of monoculture on which producers are concentrated for supervised production. They ensure large-scale production and a regular supply of raw materials for processing units.

To date, the development of the sites has enabled the ZAAP strategy to be outlined, based on principles derived from the government's "Togo 2025 strategic vision".

As part of its many initiatives to support farmers, FSRP Togo has acquired 315 guinea fowl broodstock, including 225 females and 90 males, for distribution to 45 farmers in the Savannah region.

These poultry broodstock, acquired as part of the FSRP implementation, come from the semi-modern farms of the commercial breeders of the Agricultural Sector Support Project (PASA). The complementary nature of the two projects means that Mr TOURE Abdoumoumouni, a PASA commercial breeder and FSRP broodstock supplier, now has new ambitions. Starting with 5 head, Mr TOURE now has more than 600 head of guinea fowl: “I started my farm in 2013 with 5 head in a small pen. Most of the time, my guinea fowl slept in the trees and laid their eggs in the bush, which meant that not only the eggs but also the birds were stolen. I carried on like that until 2015, when the PASA project built me a traditional improved poultry house (PTA). Very quickly, my rearing unit began to improve, especially with the support of the technical services. In 2018, I again benefited from support from PASA’s competitive funds. This support gave me a major boost, because it was thanks to it that I was able to build this semi-modern henhouse, which enabled me to secure my breeding and easily increase the number of animals. I now have over 600 guinea fowl. Although I’m a PASA beneficiary, I’m now a supplier to the FSRP, which has just bought 315 guinea fowl for over a million CFA francs. To tell the truth, I never dreamed of such a thing. I am so moved by this action by FSRP. This money will enable me to reconstitute the breeding nucleus, increase the number of birds and, of course, meet the family’s needs. he told us.

Of the 315 guinea fowl broodstock purchased by FSRP, each breeder received 7 broodstock, including 2 males and 5 females.

In Gando, in the prefecture of Oti Sud, Mrs Christine tells us about her breeding project after receiving these 7 guinea fowl. Her ambition is to become a leading producer in the Savannah region. “My name is SANDO Christine, and I farm at Takpapiéni in the canton of Gando, in the commune of Oti Sud 1. FSRP project gave me 7 guinea fowl today, in addition to an improved henhouse that it had already built for me.  As a woman, I myself had a project, which was to become a reference breeder in Gando here. The support from FSRP has given me more strength to expand my farm and to serve the whole Savannah region in the long term, God willing.

Like Christine, FSRP Togo built improved traditional poultry houses (PTAs) for each beneficiary before handing over the broodstock. These actions are part of the PURS project and help to strengthen the resilience of these players, improve their productivity, reduce poverty in rural areas and increase their income.

The livestock farming of small ruminants, including sheep and goats, is an essential source of animal protein in Togo. The sector provides a significant proportion of the meat consumed in urban and rural areas, while constituting a major source of income for rural households. It also makes a significant contribution to strengthening the national economy.

However, this activity, practised using traditional methods, faces major challenges, notably a high mortality rate linked to various diseases and insecurity in the Savanes region, the country’s main livestock farming area.

To address these constraints, the West Africa Resilience Programme (FSRP) in Togo has included an initiative to support small-scale livestock farmers as part of its Emergency Resilience Programme (PURS). This involves providing them with quality breeding stock for both small ruminants and poultry.

The initial phase of the programme involved identifying production centres and farms capable of supplying the necessary breeding stock. At the end of this stage, the FSRP-Togo acquired sheep and goat broodstock, which were distributed to the targeted farmers, in collaboration with the Institute for Technical Advice (ICAT).

In the Savannah Region, 176 farmers were selected to receive a breeding nucleus of one male and three females each. Of these, 121 were sheep farmers and 55 were goat farmers. A total of 704 breeding stock were distributed, including 121 rams, 363 ewes, 55 bucks and 165 goats.

To guarantee the health and reproductive performance of the breeding stock, brucellosis tests were carried out before they were distributed to the beneficiaries. Mr Tchalon, a biologist at the Institute of Agricultural Research (ITRA), stresses the importance of these analyses: ‘We carry out brucellosis tests on the breeding animals before they are given to the beneficiaries. This zoonosis, which can be transmitted to humans, can unbalance the reproductive system of animals and lead to abortions. These tests enable us to ensure that they are in good health and can reproduce.

Testimonials from beneficiaries highlight the impact of this initiative. Kanfiyéne, a farmer in Naki-Est, shares his experience: ‘I used to rear around ten sheep, which earned me a bit of money, but I suffered major losses. Thanks to the FSRP, I received four sires, including a male. That gave me new hope.

For his part, Daniel, a breeder in Tchamonga, also expressed his satisfaction: ‘I breed for passion, but I lacked the means to develop my business. With these robust sires, I’m convinced that my herd will grow and perform better.

In addition, Daniel had already benefited from an improved traditional sheepfold built with the support of the FSRP, thus improving breeding conditions.

In the seven prefectures of the Savanah Region, 176 farmers have benefited from this initiative, with a total of 704 sheep and goat breeders, including 484 sheep and 220 goats. This intervention is not only helping to strengthen the resilience of livestock farmers, but also to improve food and economic security in the region.

The FSRP-Togo plans to continue and extend its actions in favour of sustainable, high-performance livestock farming, thereby contributing to rural development and the national economy.

In Yadè Sodè, in the commune of Kozah 2 in the Kara region, 10 women driven by the desire to be financially independent are now creating wonders with the food products they process. They amaze children, their husbands and other women with their products, which help to improve household nutrition and increase their incomes.

When you talk to them, they are quick to reveal their secrets, which are the result of the training they have received as part of the implementation of the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme in Togo and the partnership with the Ministry of Health.

Three of these women from the Merveille cooperative were chosen to take part in the training of trainers. They learnt how to process soya into enriched flour, the nutritional elements of the orange-fleshed sweet potato and how to prepare a sauce made from moringa leaves.

After two years of implementing the activities, the impact on the health of families, thanks to the nutrients provided, and on the cooperative is legion, according to its President, Mrs Adjélékou Préname: “What we learnt during the training of trainers was above all hygiene in the processing of soya into flour and cheese. Before, we didn’t take into account certain details that meant our finished products weren’t of good quality. Today, we’re proud to offer quality products that everyone in the family can enjoy.

They produce 200 kilograms and have seen their turnover increase from 50,000 CFA francs to 150,000 CFA francs per month.

In addition, children aged between 6 months and 5 years who are vitamin deficient can correct their vitamin deficiency by regularly eating moringa-enriched flours.

Highly ambitious, the women of the Merveilles cooperative are aiming to increase their production from 200kg to 500kg per month and sell the finished products in supermarkets and internationally. To this end, they have decided to invest in the production of food crops such as maize, soya, moringa and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and have acquired a 1 ha plot of land.

One of the special features of the women from the ‘Merveille’ cooperative is the packaging of the enriched soya flour produced using the techniques learned during the training course.

They praise the support of the FSRP and its partners, which has enabled them to increase their income despite the traditional production process for finished products.

To become more professional and modernise their activities, these women are aiming to acquire modern processing equipment such as a mill, cooking pots and quality packaging, either from their own funds or on loan. They plan to certify their products so that they can be displayed in shopping centres and pharmacies.

As a result of the support they have received from the FSRP Togo, the women of the “Merveilles” cooperative are now being held up as examples and asked to support other women in other localities who wish to become agricultural processors.

Women play a fundamental role in intra-regional trade. They account for more than 70% of those involved in local or cross-border trade in West Africa. This strong presence of women in regional trade is a sign of the dynamism of the economy and trade in West Africa.

However, they face difficulties in accessing the information they need to make the most of business opportunities on local and regional markets, and are largely unfamiliar with customs procedures and other regulatory requirements on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

In order to provide an effective solution to these difficulties, the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) has supported the training of 150 women and young traders in cross-border trade, customs procedures and other regulatory requirements on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

The aim of the training was to enable traders to master customs procedures and optimise their knowledge of the corridor’s regulatory requirements.

In Aného, in the Lakes prefecture, as in Atakpamé in the Ogou, women traders

were followed by presentations on: (i) the issues and challenges of implementing the FTAA for women; (ii) the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) and the FTAA trade documents; (iii) the organisational framework, rules of origin and procedures for clearing goods through customs; (iv) the FTAA protocol on women and young people in trade; (v) cross-border trade and the mechanism for eliminating non-tariff barriers (NTBs); (vi) cross-border trade and the facilities offered by the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Products (АОСТАН).

This reinforcement will contribute to indicator R13.2 of component 3 relating to the “Number of farmers (value chain actors) having received goods or services to improve their marketing in the selected value chains”. In the long term, the activity could also contribute to ODP indicator 6 relating to the share of production subject to intra-regional trade in certain value chains (rice, soya, poultry).

The fourth Agricultural Technologies and innovations Market (MITA), organized by CORAF in partnership with the Togolese Institute for Agricultural Research (ITRA), took place from 21 to 25 October 2024 in Lome, Togo. Under the theme: “Facilitating access to agricultural technologies and innovations for the integrated management of pests, plagues and diseases of plants and animals”, this strategic event brought together key players from the agricultural and research sectors, becoming a platform of choice for the adoption of innovative solutions in West and Central Africa.

MITA 2024 was an opportunity to facilitate constructive exchanges between researchers, innovators, policy-makers and young agricultural entrepreneurs. The aim was to promote innovations capable of enhancing food security in the region. This year’s event was attended by 264 participants, including 84 women and 73 young people, demonstrating the multi-sectoral and inter-generational commitment to more sustainable and resilient agriculture.

This edition was enhanced by two major events: the 1st edition of the West and Central African Youth Summit, focusing on climate-smart agriculture, and the prestigious Abdoulaye Touré Agricultural Innovation Prize. The Youth Summit brought together young people from a wide range of agricultural backgrounds, giving them a platform to exchange views with experts and present their innovations. The Abdoulaye Touré Prize rewarded six young innovators with $10,000 each for their exemplary contributions to the agricultural sector. These initiatives illustrate the ambition to promote young talent as drivers of change in African agriculture.

Of the 67 technologies and innovations shared, 53 attracted particular attention, including 38 crop varieties and 15 agricultural equipment and animal technologies, on display at the ITRA technology park in Davié. These solutions ranged from crop varieties resistant to climatic stresses to tools adapted for the sustainable management of agricultural land and resources.

Four projects by young agro-entrepreneurs were presented in pitch form to a panel of judges made up of representatives from financial institutions and business leaders. Among these, Mr KONDOW Moubarack’s biological insecticide project, designed to combat cocoa mirids, stood out as the best innovation, demonstrating the potential of local solutions to regional agricultural challenges.

By bringing together players from various countries, the MITA once again demonstrated the importance of bilateral, regional and international cooperation in the agricultural sector. The meeting highlighted the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in strengthening food systems, addressing the key components of food and nutritional security.

The 2024 edition ended on an optimistic note, setting the date for the next edition of MITA, scheduled for 20-24 October 2025 in Mali. The theme of this year’s event will be “Technologies and Innovations for Integrated Soil Management”, and the Abdoulaye Touré Prize and the Youth Summit will once again be part of the programme, underlining the continuity of a promising dynamic for African agriculture.

In short, MITA 2024 was a lever for agricultural transformation in West and Central Africa, strengthening the resilience of food systems through innovation.

The development of the rice sector is part of the agricultural development strategies of West African countries, and Togo in particular. Rice is a staple food for a large proportion of the Togolese population, with annual per capita consumption estimated at 35 kg. Yet the country is facing a major challenge: national production covers only part of its needs, reaching around 165,000 tonnes in 2020, far short of the 450,000 tonnes required. As a result, the country is dependent on imports for around 60% of its rice consumption.

To reverse this trend, the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), of which rice is one of the priority commodities, has undertaken an initiative with the Togolese rice trade association to widely disseminate Smart Valleys Technology. This is a lowland management system designed to retain and manage rainwater in fields while reducing fertiliser losses due to flooding, and it can significantly increase harvest yields (more details on Smart Valleys https://bit.ly/3TM17VT).

Recently (from 24 to 29 June 2024), a training session for a pool of 20 endogenous trainers was held to introduce producers to this technology. Each trainer then passed on their knowledge to ten other farmers in twenty villages in the central region of Togo. During these sessions, participants learned not only about the Smart Valleys approach, but also how it works and the advantages it offers for maximising yields from limited areas.

In addition to the training, the farmers received toolkits for developing their plots, including wheelbarrows, boots, ropes, cutters, daba, picks and other equipment needed to put the Smart Valleys method into practice. Abdourahim Milbawa, a young rice farmer from Guérin kouka in the Dankpen prefecture, was one of the beneficiaries of the training, and was quick to share his new skills with other farmers in his locality.

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"When I got back from the training, I quickly got together with my farmer friends to show them this technology, which for me is a real innovation. On my plot of land, I explained how to develop the land while considering the direction of rainwater," says Abdourahim with pride.

Smart Valleys combines proven agricultural techniques with modern technologies to optimise the use of natural resources and increase the productivity of rice fields. The focus is on developing flood valleys by building dykes, canals and drainage systems to control water and improve soil fertility.

One of the major advantages of this technology is the efficient management of water and seed: “Before, I used to sow rice by throwing the seed onto the plain. For one hectare, I needed 50 kg of seed, and the yield was around 3 Tons. With the Smart Valleys Techology, I start with a nursery and do the transplanting in the trays that have been made. I use less seed, around 5 kg per hectare, for a harvest of almost 6 Tons per hectare. It’s beneficial,” explains Abdourahim, happy to have mastered this production technique.

Another site, another experience with Mrs Affi Koutèma, a rice grower in the canton of Yaloumbè in the prefecture of Blitta, in the central region of Togo, 260 km north of the city of Lomé. Like Abdourahim, Mrs Affi is a beneficiary of the training and applies the knowledge she has acquired to an area of 0.25 ha.

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In partnership with two other rice growers, she builds crates, manages rainwater and channels it, as well as planting seeds in rows. She is delighted to point out the changes in the way she produces rice: “Before, I sowed rice by broadcasting and that required 50 kg of seed for 1 hectare and a yield of 2 tonnes.  Today, with the smart valleys, as soon as you build the crates, the rest is easy to do and you use less seed. For one hectare, you use 4 to 5 kg of seed, and you can be sure of harvesting around 6 ha. I would like to sincerely thank the World Bank, ECOWAS and Togo’s Ministry of Agriculture for the multifaceted support provided to producers through FSRP”.

Smart Valleys Technology is part of a wider strategy for sustainable agricultural development in Togo, focusing on local solutions to improve food production and strengthen the resilience of communities in the face of climatic and economic challenges.