Togolese female farmers advocate for structural change at FoNAT 2026

In a major gathering in Lomé, women from the agricultural sector are voicing their concerns regarding the hurdles that impede their role in national food security and economic growth during the National Forum of the Togolese Woman Farmer (FoNAT 2026). Their collective goal is to fundamentally reshape their influence within agricultural frameworks.

While these women are responsible for a massive portion of crop production, food processing, and local market supply, they continue to face significant barriers in securing land, obtaining credit, and accessing modern farming equipment. To address these systemic issues, hundreds of rural stakeholders have been meeting in Lomé since late June for the National Forum of the Togolese Woman Farmer (FoNAT 2026).

This initiative, spearheaded by the Coordination togolaise des organisations paysannes et de producteurs agricoles (CTOP) and the Plateforme nationale des agricultrices du Togo (PNAFAT), aligns with the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Overcoming the obstacles facing female producers

During the sessions, several critical themes have dominated the conversation. Land tenure remains a primary concern, as rural women often navigate complex legal, traditional, and financial restrictions that prevent them from making long-term investments in their plots.

Participants are also exploring ways to improve financial inclusion, adopt new agricultural technologies, and adapt to the volatile effects of climate change. Furthermore, there is a strong focus on enhancing the processing and marketing of homegrown products.

For those attending, addressing these challenges is vital for achieving economic independence and ensuring that women can play an even larger role in feeding the nation.

Promoting local expertise and value-added goods

Alongside the strategic discussions, a small-scale exhibition is highlighting goods processed by female entrepreneurs. This showcase serves as a platform to market local products while facilitating networking between producers, potential buyers, and technical partners.

This exhibition underscores the organizers’ commitment to linking high-level policy discussions with the economic realities on the ground, demonstrating the immense potential of women-led agricultural enterprises to transform the industry.

A global effort for local impact

FoNAT 2026 is supported by a variety of international and technical organizations, including the Basque Cooperation, the World Rural Forum, Togo’s Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), the AgSyS/GIZ project, Carrefour International Canada, the FAO, and GIZ.

By bringing these voices together, the forum aims to generate concrete proposals that will influence government policy regarding rural women. As agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Togolese economy, empowering female farmers is now recognized as a vital step toward ensuring food security, increasing household income, and building resilient communities in the face of climate change.