Pesticide Misuse Threatens Togo’s Farm Exports, FAO Warns

Agriculture

Thursday, 02 October 2025 12:40

Pesticide Misuse Threatens Togo’s Farm Exports, FAO Warns

Nearly one-third of fruits and vegetables sold in Togo exceed international pesticide residue limits.
Some products contain banned substances, raising health and trade risks.
FAO warns that non-compliance could restrict exports of key crops such as coffee, cocoa, and cotton.

Almost one-third of fruits and vegetables sold in Togo contain pesticide residues above international standards, according to a new study presented this week in Lomé. Researchers also found banned substances in several samples.

The findings raise concerns for both public health and the competitiveness of Togolese agriculture, particularly its access to foreign markets.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Togo’s Ministry of Environment presented the data at a validation workshop attended by national experts and institutions. The study analyzed samples from all five regions of the country.

Professor Abdullatif Diallo, a consultant on the project, said misuse was widespread. “We are not the biggest users of pesticides in Africa, but we use them very poorly. Several banned products are found in the residues,” he noted.

The misuse of pesticides could undermine Togo’s agricultural exports. Non-compliance with international standards risks trade restrictions that could weaken key sectors such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, and horticulture. Products failing to meet standards could face rejection on global markets.

Djiwa Oyétounde, FAO’s country representative in Togo, urged authorities to strengthen traceability systems, boost producer training, and expand the capacity of national laboratories.

Farmer organizations, meanwhile, are calling for crop rotation to reduce pesticide dependency. Advocates say better practices will help protect consumer health and preserve the economic credibility of “Made in Togo” products.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.