Japan Supports Togo’s Agricultural Development with New Funding. This support isn’t Japan’s first foray into bolstering Togo’s agricultural sector.
Previously, they donated rice shipments under the Kennedy Round project, aiming to bolster economic and social development while contributing to food security.
New Agreement for Agricultural Equipment
Togo’s Minister of Agriculture, Lekpa Gbegbeni, and Katsuya Ikkatai, the Japanese Ambassador to Lomé, have signed a financing agreement worth 1.2 billion FCFA (approximately 2 million USD). This agreement, part of Japan’s Economic and Social Development Program (PDES), will provide Togo with essential civil engineering and agricultural equipment.
Addressing Challenges and Boosting Production
This equipment will be crucial in supporting Togo’s agricultural development efforts, especially amidst a multi-dimensional crisis marked by unstable consumer prices and climate change. Minister Gbegbeni emphasizes that the equipment “will serve to boost agricultural production through land development and drainage of floodwaters, prioritizing identified areas.”
Focus on Rice Cultivation and Vulnerable Farmers
The initiative will particularly focus on rice cultivation and supporting vulnerable farmers. This includes those threatened by terrorism in rural areas and those affected by floods, as detailed by TogoFirst.