• Faure Gnassingbé visits agricultural zones in northern Togo
• Government pushes for greater food sovereignty and self-sufficiency
• Farmers receive tractors and equipment to boost productivity

Togo’s President of the Council, Faure Gnassingbé, visited planned agricultural development zones (ZAAP) in the Dankpen and Binah prefectures in northern Togo last week.

During the visit, he met with farmers to discuss the state of the agricultural sector and the government’s goal of strengthening food sovereignty.

The discussions focused on the main challenges facing agriculture, particularly in these production areas. “These meetings aim to identify solutions together to the challenges Togolese people face,” the president said, stressing the need for a coordinated approach.

Both the president and producers highlighted a shared priority: increasing output to feed the population and sustainably meet household needs. He emphasized that responsibility is collective. “The government alone does not have all the answers. You, agricultural producers, do not have the full solution either,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation between the state and rural stakeholders.

To achieve this goal, the government is focusing on the professionalization of ZAAP sites. According to Gnassingbé, this strategy aims to improve farmers’ living conditions while strengthening the national drive toward self-sufficiency and food sovereignty.

“Beyond food security, it is essential to achieve food sovereignty. Imported products are financed by the money of Togolese citizens, which benefits other countries. Our country has the capacity to produce enough to feed its population,” he said.

As part of the initiative, the president handed over agricultural equipment to farmers at the Guérin-Kouka Agricultural Processing Center (CTA). The package includes 12 tractors and 12 power tillers to support mechanization and increase farm productivity.

The visit builds on previous engagements. In June 2023, Gnassingbé toured several ZAAP sites in southern Togo to assess the implementation of this agricultural policy.

Esaïe Edoh