Togo
Overview
A West African country located between Ghana and Benin, Togo boasts great ecological diversity but is facing rapid land degradation, threatening rural livelihoods and climate resilience. In response to these challenges, the country is committed to land degradation neutrality, through national policies and international commitments, including AFR100 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In this context, the Western Plateau area - including the prefectures of Agou, Danyi, Kloto and Kpélé - has been identified as a priority for programme intervention. This landscape is characterized by high demographic pressure, poorly mechanized agriculture, rural exodus and progressive degradation of natural resources. Yet it has great potential for restoration, thanks to its semi-deciduous rainforests, fertile soils and local commitment to change.
The choice of this landscape is also based on previous interventions by several partners, which have helped to build the foundations of local governance, strengthen community capacities, and draw up communal development plans in several localities. In particular, the work of the Forest and Farm Facility has helped bring local stakeholders together around a shared vision of sustainable natural resource management.
In Togo, the "Supporting AFR100 by engaging with small-scale forest and farm producers" programme is a continuation of these efforts, with the ambition of consolidating achievements, scaling up and demonstrating that land restoration can be a powerful lever for sustainable rural development, by combining ecological, social and economic solutions.
Objectives and targets
The programme aims to accelerate the restoration of degraded land by building the capacity of forestry and agricultural producer organizations, as well as rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. It seeks to transform these local players into drivers of change, by supporting sustainable and inclusive economic models. By capitalizing on existing initiatives in the landscape, the program promotes stronger local governance, stimulates investment and contributes to the resilience of ecosystems and livelihoods, particularly for women, young people and vulnerable communities.
Contacts
FAO-AFR100 Programme
DJIWA Oyetoundé
[email protected]
Togo AFR100 focal point
AFODA Chamsoudine
[email protected]
FAO Country Office
ATAKOURA Abalo
[email protected]
General enquiries
Restoration targets
- 28 537 ha under improved management
- 7 561 ha under restoration in the Western Plateau landscape of Togo
Key value chains to be supported
Priority value chains include coffee, cocoa and avocado, combined with emerging chains such as black pepper, edible mushrooms (myciculture) and honey (beekeeping). These chains combine economic potential, ecological coherence and local ownership, and offer concrete opportunities for innovation, green jobs and income for local communities.
Implementation
This action is structured around three axes: strengthening national governance around restoration, revising policies and legal frameworks to better include local communities, and creating conditions conducive to investment in sustainable value chains.
Expected results include the updating or validation of two policy or legal frameworks, the strengthening of five national institutions, and the establishment of 3 consultation forums for ongoing dialogue on restoration.
This component is organized around two main complementary actions, capacity building at decentralized and local levels to support restoration planning, implementation and monitoring, and improved landscape services and benefits through the implementation of restoration interventions by local communities and stakeholders.
At the end of its implementation, the expected results include 28 537 ha under improved management plans, 1 000 people involved in planning, implementing and monitoring forest and land restoration, 7 561 ha restored and 100 micro-projects implemented.
This component is organized around three main actions: developing value-added innovation and sustainable business capacities of local communities and facilitating market access; strengthening support systems for value-added innovation and business incubation serving local communities; and lastly, expanding financing mechanisms and increasing funding for restoration activities.
At the end of these actions, it is expected that 10 business plans will have been drawn up and financed, 32 local communities will have improved capacities, 25 OPFAs will be supported by incubation services, and 2 OPFAs will be supported to offer business incubation acceleration.
This component is organized around two main actions: strengthening national and decentralized monitoring systems, and collecting and sharing best practices and results with local, national and global stakeholders.
At the end of the implementation of this component, a package of four tools for the monitoring system is expected to be put in place, four best practices collected per landscape and 50 participants trained per year (50 percent of whom will be women or youth).
Key implementing partners
- Government and decentralized technical services
- Forest and Farm Facility
- Local authorities
- Technical and financial partners
- Non-governmental organizations
- Agricultural and Rural Training Center
- Farmer forestry and agricultural organizations
- Village Development Committees
- Community Forest Management Committees
- Private sector/financial institutions
Key targets
The program aims to strengthen policy frameworks, restore ecosystems and boost local economies. It provides for:
- two updated policies
- five strengthened institutions
- three reflection frameworks
- 20,000 ha under improved management
- 7,000 ha of land restored
- 1,000 people involved at local level
- 100 micro-projects
- 10 business plans
- 25 cooperatives supported
- four farmers' forestry and agricultural organization incubators
- four monitoring tools deployed
- four best practices
- 50 participants trained/year (50 percent of whom are women or youth)