The benefits from two years of EU-funded agricultural rehabilitation by FAO in Togo is €4.7 million, almost double its cost of €2.5 million.

In 2007, floods ravaged crops in this West African country, sweeping away homes, taking people’s lives and killing livestock.

Crop failures led to shortages on the market, triggering food price increases and aggravating the livelihoods of the rural population.

As part of the EU Food Facility, a

€1 billion response to high food prices in the world, the EU allocated €2.5 million to FAO for agricultural rehabilitation

in Togo.

Seeds and fertilizers were distributed to over 20,000 vulnerable farming families.

FAO also provided structural support by rehabilitating Togo’s number one seed farm, which has the potential to produce quality seeds for the whole country.

Furthermore,

a marketing information system was established, allowing buyers and sellers to better monitor the prices of agricultural products.

Nursing and pregnant women were particularly affected by Togo’s crisis. They received vegetable seeds and training for market gardening.

In the village of Nansongue, Lengue Kombate worked throughout her pregnancy.

After the harvest Lengue sold each

125 kg drum of tomatoes for 10,000 CFA francs (€15).

While the fields are prepared for the approaching planting season, Lengue has used her income to purchase seeds and fertilizers.

She uses the balance of her profits to brew the local beer, tchakpalo, and sell it to pay her children’s school fees.

“The EU Food Facility has helped Togo move towards long-term food security,” says the EU’s Marc Casterán, “and it has provided oxygen to a lot of farmers.”