– The cassava sector, an opportunity to be seized
To promote the development of this sub-sector, several programs and projects targeting cassava have been developed and implemented by the government.
Among root and tuber crops, cassava is the most widely cultivated crop (52%). Actions undertaken include: support for production and productivity, capacity building for farmers' organizations (FOs) and processors; installation and/or equipment of cassava processing units; product development through the development of value chains, establishment of storage infrastructure and support for marketing.
Several programs and projects support this sub-sector. These include the Presidential Initiative Project for the Development of the Cassava Sector in Togo; the Root and Tuber Plant Project (PRT), the Agricultural Development Support Project in Togo (PADAT); the Youth Employability and Integration Support Project in Growth Sectors (PAEIJ-SP); the Grassroots Development Support Program (PRADEB) and the National Multifunctional Platform Program (PTFM).
The actions currently underway include capacity building for processors on technologies for processing gari, starch, tapioca, high quality cassava flour (HQCF); quality management procedures, the use of HQCF in the manufacture of bread, biscuits and other jams, and the installation of a cassava processing unit in Atakpamé.