Togo: A 2024 Review of Agriculture

Agriculture

Friday, 03 January 2025 16:46

(Togo First) - The agriculture sector has recorded several developments in 2024. Key highlights included increased funding for food security, support for producers, a record cereal harvest, and ongoing efforts to transform value chains through agropoles. Find below a recap of the year.

Government Allocates CFA13 Billion to Bolster Food Security

At the start of 2024, the Togolese government allocated CFA13 billion to food security. The sum, 25% of the Ministry of Agriculture's annual budget, helped support various projects, including a 7-year food security plan (2024-2030), and enhance the capacities of the National Food Security Agency (ANSAT). Both projects aimed to reduce hunger, foster sustainable agriculture, and support farmers.

FSRP Backs 30,000 Farmers

In July 2024, nearly 30,000 vulnerable producers of maize, rice, soybeans, and cowpeas received agricultural input support through the World Bank-funded West African Food System Resilience Program (FSRP-Togo). During a ceremony in Doufelgou in the Kara region (northern Togo), kits with certified seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides were distributed, prioritizing producer organizations and planned agricultural zones (ZAAP).

AfDB and BOAD Provides CFA46.4 billion for agropoles

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) provided a combined financing of CFA46.4 billion for phase 2 of the Togo Agri-Food Processing Project (PTA-Togo), specifically for the Kara agropolis. The investment aimed to boost output in strategic sectors like corn, rice, and soy while reducing food imports.

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1.5 million Metric Tons of Cereals

Togo produced 1.5 million metric tons of cereals during the 2023-2024 campaign–a record. Grain output, let it be noted, has been growing steadily since 2019. Corn is the most widely grown cereal, followed by paddy rice and millet-sorghum.

5th National Agricultural Census

Togo launched the 5th National Agricultural Census (RNA-5) in December 2024, 12 years after the last census. The country is thus updating its agricultural data, which is key to planning public policies and guiding investments.

Agriculture employs 60% of Togo’s working population and contributes 40% of its GDP. The sector is a cornerstone of the economy and a key focus for public authorities.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Provides $60 Million

The IDB approved financing of $60 million (about CFA36 billion) for Togo on October 14, 2024. This funding aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable populations by enhancing agricultural productivity and income-generating activities for farming households.

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4th Market for Agricultural Innovations and Technologies (MITA)

From October 21 to 25, 2024, Lomé hosted the MITA, gathering nearly 150 sub-regional experts. Organized by CORAF, this event focused on improving access to agricultural technologies and innovations, especially in managing plant and animal pests and diseases.

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Agricultural Mechanization Program Launched

In March 2024, Togo inaugurated two regional agricultural mechanization centers in Tchitchao and Tové to modernize farming practices and increase productivity.

Construction of Integrated Poultry Complex at Avétonou Begins

On March 28, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé launched the construction of an integrated poultry complex in Avétonou. Covering 660 hectares, this project aims to modernize poultry farming and enhance food security in Togo. It includes modern farms and facilities promoting sustainable practices.

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The complex, built in partnership with PORTEO-GRAINE, includes modern poultry farms, an Institut Technique de Recherche Agricole (ITRA), an Institut de Formation en Alternance et Développement (IFAD-Avétonou), and an ecovillage designed to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

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REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.