Agriterra and DECP cooperate in Togo

The employers’ organisation of Togo -Conseil National du Patronat du Togo- represents 21 sectors. This turns the CNP-Togo into the real voice of business towards stakeholders and discussion partners like the government, trade unions and TVET schools. However, there is still a lot of space to grow.

One of the most important economic sectors in almost all emerging countries is agriculture. The same goes for Togo. The CNP-Togo definitely can offer added value to the agricultural sector. And they are not yet fully connected to the CNP-Togo. That is why DECP decided to cooperate with Agriterra. Agriterra is an international, not-for-profit agri-agency that works in emerging and developing economies. Agriterra was founded by Dutch farmers’ organisations and cooperatives 20 years ago as an organisation for international peer-to-peer agricultural cooperation.

One of the senior experts of Agriterra, Mr Alex Danissen, was asked to go to Lomé, the capital of Togo, and share his expertise with the management of the CNP-Togo. He prepared a meeting with representatives of the CTOP and the management of the CNP-Togo. The CTOP -Coordination Togolaise des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs Agricoles- represents 20 federations with more than 550.000 affiliated entrepreneurs.

After a day of introductions, presentations and discussions moderated by Mr Danissen the attendants concluded that, indeed, they can reinforce each other by cooperation in concrete projects. It is obvious that one day is not enough to take strategic decisions. But the CNP-Togo and the CTOP have decided to get to know each other better and to identify some possible pilot projects. When the first steps are taken they will be evaluated. For sure, next steps will be taken.