Togolese organic appeals to Europe
Audio 02:08
By: Olivier Rogez Follow
Togo has become the first West African exporter of organic products to Europe. It ranks ahead of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, according to European figures. The Togolese organic sector is booming, whether on the local market or for export.
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For three years in Lomé, lovers of organic products have had their market. The Espace Viva created by Aimée Abra Tenou brings together every Saturday around thirty farmers from Lomé, the maritime region and that of the plateaus.
“ We have identified producers who do agroecology, who use techniques such as permaculture. We visit them before selecting them to participate in the "farmers market". So we know them very well, they are people who have been involved for a very long time. So we guarantee the agroecology and permaculture side. "
As in Europe, organic products are more expensive and the farmers' market still reserved for an elite. " Unfortunately we still cannot reach the class below the middle class, because when you do the natural, the cost prices are higher than for the conventional, so the farmers market ultimately affects the middle class and superior, the diaspora resettled in the country or expatriates. "
To develop, organic sectors therefore need outlets abroad. Since 2011 Daniel Komlan has managed Agrokom, a soybean crushing company. All of its 2,500 tonnes of seeds and oil cakes are exported to France and Italy. “ The Togolese market is a bit limited, there is really no clientele, so I wondered where I could find outlets. And I went to organic production. Because if we take conventional soybeans, Togo is not competitive. If you want to be competitive and sell outside, you have to go organic. "
The European Union and German cooperation support the organic sector. Europe has chosen to help processors in the pineapple sector. Isaac Nyuito program officer at the European delegation in Togo. “ If we support the players in the transformation, then this will act on the entire value chain. So we support the processors in the quality process, but also to obtain the necessary equipment to be able to meet the needs of the market. "
Pineapple, mangoes, soy, the organic sector employs 37,000 producers in Togo.
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