Togo: ECOWAS-backed Rice Project, RICOWAS, Begins

Agriculture

Thursday, 25 July 2024 14:55

Togo: ECOWAS-backed Rice Project, RICOWAS, Begins

(Togo First) - The RICOWAS, a sub-regional rice project, was launched in Togo earlier this week. In Togo, the project is led by the Institute for Technical Supporting (ICAT). It is backed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The RICOWAS aims to transform rice farming in West Africa by integrating advanced and sustainable agricultural techniques. Madjoulba Batocfetou, General Manager of ICAT, noted that Togo's rice trade balance is currently in deficit, with the country importing large quantities of rice due to rising consumption. "This initiative aims to reduce this trade deficit and help Togo move closer to self-sufficiency in rice," he said.

The RICOWAS builds on the Rice Offensive initiative launched in 2013 and promotes cultivation methods such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), sustainable soil management, optimal water use, and the use of organic fertilizers to enhance soil health and crop productivity.

The program will benefit 13 countries over four years. Each of the countries will receive about $200,000 for implementing it.

West Africa currently faces economic challenges, and improving local rice production could be a major step toward greater food security.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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)

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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.