Togo has opened a new farming support centre in Kpalimé to help improve agriculture, increase food production and support farmers with modern tools. The centre was launched on 23 April through a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, OCP Africa and the World Bank.
The centre was officially opened by National Assembly President Komi Sélom Klassou, representing President Faure Gnassingbé. It is meant to serve as a one-stop place for more than 600,000 farmers across the country.
Farmers will be able to test their soil using a mobile lab to see what nutrients are needed. The centre will also mix fertiliser based on the needs of each farm and crop. It provides access to modern machines, a test farm and expert advice.
The project comes from an agreement signed in 2023 to improve farming and reduce reliance on food imports in Togo. It is also part of wider efforts in the ECOWAS region, where millions of people are affected by food shortages linked to economic problems and insecurity.
The World Bank has backed the project as part of a $150 million support plan approved in 2025. The aim is to help farmers produce more on the same land, instead of expanding farmland.
Construction of the centre also created local jobs. Around 40 companies worked on the project between June 2024 and February 2026, putting in more than 120,000 hours of work and using local materials.
Officials say the centre should also help protect the environment by improving soil care and reducing waste from fertiliser use. It follows wider discussions in Africa about using simple technology to make farming easier and attract younger people into the sector.
