Boosting the income of crop farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen
In Togo, agriculture contributes roughly 38% to GDP and employs at least two-thirds of the active population. Still, more than half of producers live below the poverty line, and three-quarters of families suffer from chronic malnutrition and go through at least one period of shortage during the year. Although agroecological conditions in Togo make it possible to grow most foods, the agricultural sector still has a lot of untapped potential.
Post-harvest losses are sometimes substantial, owing to a lack of commercial outlets for surplus production. Also, weak promotion of local products and high competition from imported substitute foods are hindering the development of local products.
Project overview
This project aims to promote the local economy by increasing the supply of local foods on the market and by getting the local authorities in Togo’s Maritime region to promote the idea of consuming locally. More specifically, it aims to stimulate the local economy in the Yoto prefecture by developing agricultural and agrifood activities, boosting local consumption and diversifying sources of funding for towns.
The project focuses on providing post-harvest support in agricultural sectors. It plans to implement a series of innovative actions, seek commercial outlets for organisations of local agricultural and agrifood producers, launch communication campaigns on people’s right to food, support an advocacy campaign to encourage authorities to increase institutional orders, and establish a pilot partnership with the Yoto community in order to highlight local economic development through the promotion of local products.
Objectives
- stimulate the local economy of the Maritime region in Togo by getting towns involved in promoting local agricultural products;
- work with agricultural groups to help them keep their production in line with new food trends, and teach them the principles of rural micro-entrepreneurship;
- ensure access, availability and stability of local agricultural products on markets;
- get local authorities to help promote the idea of consuming locally, and help the town of Tabligbo build its capacities with regard to sustainable development;
- carry out studies and research on local foods and related economic sectors.
Key figures and results
- Support for 10 producer organisations, 3 processor organisations (cassava, orange sweet potato), 20 poultry breeders and small-ruminant breeders, fishermen co-ops, market-gardener organisations;
- Yields for crop farmers, market gardeners, livestock farmers and fishermen have increased, and agroecological practices are in line with new food trends;
- Farmers and processors now have better access to markets, and the availability and stability of food products have improved;
- Local authorities are helping promote agricultural products, and the town of Tabligbo has improved its ability to oversee projects;
- Research documents on local foods have been produced and distributed.
