As part of efforts to build strategic partnerships that will advance Togo’s agricultural transformation agenda, IITA-CGIAR recently welcomed a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of Togo, the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agricole (ITRA), and the Agence de Transformation Agricole (ATA) to the institute’s headquarters in Ibadan.
The visit focused on exploring concrete opportunities to scale up innovation, enhance sustainability, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Togo.
The delegation, led by Lardja Douti, Director General of the Togolese Institute for Agricultural Research (ITRA), toured IITA’s research facilities, experiencing some of the existing innovations firsthand., During discussions, the team was introduced to IITA’s broad range of initiatives in seed systems, youth empowerment, value addition, and soil and fertilizer health.
Welcoming the Togo delegation, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, said there are so many technologies that Togo can adopt, and the partnership will provide the leverage to drive the country’s agenda.
“IITA looks forward to strengthening the partnership and contributing to Togo’s food systems transformation. Innovation scaling is one of our major focuses, and working with national partners and systems is critical to scaling for impact,” Dr Ehui said.
In his remarks, Douti expressed satisfaction with IITA’s longstanding contributions to African agricultural development and emphasized how these can complement ongoing efforts in Togo. He added that while Togo has embarked on several agricultural initiatives, collaborating with IITA would bring a strategic layer of scientific expertise and proven technologies that can accelerate progress and drive greater impact.
“We are impressed with the depth of IITA’s work—from seed systems to youth-focused programs and high-impact value addition initiatives. These are the kinds of partnerships we need to strengthen our national systems and bring more value to our farmers,” Douti said.
Discussions during the meeting explored avenues for sustaining and scaling existing agricultural reforms in Togo, focusing on overcoming challenges related to program continuity and limited technology adoption.
Some of the IITA scientists and AfricaRice Country Representative for Nigeria, Dr Francis Nwilene, highlighted some of the institute and AfricaRice’s initiatives on value chain development, particularly around cassava, soybeans, and rice, critical crops for food and economic security in Togo.
Other areas discussed include strengthening seed systems through potential adoption of IITA’s Seed Tracker—a digital tool that enhances seed quality assurance, traceability, and private sector engagement— technology transfer, including the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technology for producing high-quality planting materials for clonally propagated crops like cassava and yam. Following discussions, Togo has proposed working with the Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub to map and analyze Togo’s soil fertility and develop data-driven solutions for sustainable land use.
This visit marks a significant step forward in IITA’s ongoing efforts to support inclusive, science-driven agricultural transformation across West Africa. With Togo’s government strongly committed to innovation and sustainability, a fruitful partnership is underway.
Contributed by Timilehin Osunde
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