The Davié agricultural technology park in Togo, run by the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA), opened its doors to Togo's agricultural producers and livestock breeders on Wednesday 11 September 2024. This open day, organised in partnership with CORAF as part of the FSRP and iREACH projects, enabled participants to discover the latest technological advances developed to improve agricultural and livestock production systems.
Agricultural technology parks, set up in 9 West and Central African countries by CORAF, are dynamic platforms that bring agricultural innovations closer to producers. At Davié, a number of technologies were highlighted, including short-cycle climate-smart seeds, technologies for aquaculture, rabbit, pig and poultry farming, agronomic practices and agri-food processing solutions.
This technology park plays a key role in bringing researchers and farmers together, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Research results, tested on different varieties and soil conditions, are presented to farmers in a practical environment where they can evaluate and adopt these technologies for their own farms.
In addition to this open day, regular visits are planned for potential users of the technologies and innovations on display. ITRA, with the support of CORAF, is working in partnership with the region's universities and agricultural schools to help improve the training of tomorrow's agricultural players, while at the same time boosting the widespread adoption of agricultural technologies.
It should be noted that the Davié agricultural technology park initiative began in 2023 with technical and financial support from the FSRP and iREACH projects coordinated by CORAF.
Several other agricultural technology parks are being set up in Togo to bring producers closer to the technologies and innovations available, so that they can incorporate them into their production systems. Thanks to the agricultural technology parks, Togolese producers have concrete tools at their disposal to improve productivity and respond to current climatic and economic challenges.
