The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed major weaknesses in the food system, especially in developing countries. African countries like Togo, that depend heavily on imports for farm inputs and food products, were greatly affected due to the restrictions on transport and movement across borders.
In Togo, at least 30% of the population is employed in agriculture, which contributes approximately 22% to the country’s GDP (official figures such as these are typically an underrepresentation of actual numbers, as they fail to account for unpaid women and youth farmers, subsistence farming, or the non-commercial exchange of agricultural produce). Many lost their livelihoods due to the drastic market changes and have since had to invent new ways to meet their needs, as well as satisfy new demands for food across the country. As a consequence of this crisis, local foods, including traditional herbs and medicinal remedies, have garnered newfound attention; they have gained value in the market.
The pandemic reiterated the importance of food sovereignty and agroecology. Given the turn of events, many organizations and community groups have recently joined the agroecology bandwagon, with increased understanding of the value of local production and consumption, and limiting the use of chemical inputs. This growing momentum can also be attributed to the ongoing Agroecology for Climate Action Campaign in Togo led by the NGO Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement (Young Volunteers for the Environment; JVE). This Africa-wide Campaign was launched in March 2019 during the African Climate Week in Accra, Ghana – spearheaded by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and its partners.
In December 2019, glyphosate products were officially banned in Togo. Since that milestone was achieved, proponents of agroecology have mobilized to support the Ministry of Agriculture in implementing practical, local, and sustainable natural alternatives across the country. This brought more visibility to the Agroecology for Climate Action Campaign at the national level, with many more community groups joining to advance food sovereignty and sustainable practices across the supply chain.
Organizations like JVE have embarked on a mission to mobilize diverse stakeholders to support the transition to agroecology using a bottom-up approach and engaging in community dialogues, with the financial support of the Agroecology Fund, to incite reflection around key issues in sustainable development. In October 2020 (the national month for local consumption in Togo), JVE organized a workshop titled, “Make agroecology a driving force for climate-resilient development and structural transformation of the agriculture economy in order to achieve the objectives of the National Development Plan,” inviting stakeholders from across the country to share their experiences and strategize on practical steps to ensure the transition to agroecology.
During the workshop, several priorities emerged. Support to the right to food sovereignty and the recognition of agroecology, conservation of local seed, valorization of agroecology products, and support to sustainable food systems in the face of pandemics and climate change were all highlighted as important aspects to include in the country’s national development plans. Academia and the private sector were called upon to support the movement through: investing in research and studies to support evidence-based arguments for agroecology; supporting farmer-led innovation; and documenting local and traditional best practices.
In the months following the workshop, JVE continued to advocate for the adoption of agroecology in Togo. The youth-led organization has focused on building community resilience in the midst of COVID-19; emphasizing the importance of scaling up agroecology. The organization established three urban gardens so that people could produce their own food. They focus on capacity-building among women and youth, leading training workshops for communities to save seeds, produce their own natural pesticides and fertilizers, and process and market agroecologically-produced foods.
Still, a lot remains to be done to ensure that agroecology is integrated as a climate solution in policy decisions. Only when all citizens understand the benefits of a transition to agroecology, will there be lasting and sustainable transformation. With policy support, Togo’s food system can be made more resilient, and producers and consumers alike will benefit from social and economic growth and development.
For more information, follow Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement on Twitter or Facebook.
About the author: Aluora Annette Luttah is the Project Coordinator at JVE International headquarters in Lomé, Togo. Starting out as a volunteer at the UN Environment Programme, she has been actively involved in youth development projects across Africa working with various civil society organizations to build the capacity of youth as future leaders. Luttah currently coordinates the JVE National Representations set up in 25 African countries, actively engaging young people in social and developmental, environmental activities that contribute to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.