Togo's Maritime Region Eyes 10,000 Tonnes to Reclaim Its Place in the Cotton Industry

Agriculture

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 12:02

Togo's Maritime Region Eyes 10,000 Tonnes to Reclaim Its Place in the Cotton Industry

(Togo First) - Cotton producers in Togo's Maritime region have been urged to raise regional production to 10,000 tonnes in upcoming seasons. The call was made during the annual general assembly of the Maritime Regional Union of Cotton Producers (URCOTON COOP-CA), held in Tsévié on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The target comes after a difficult 2024-2025 campaign. According to figures presented by the organization, the region produced 3,629 tonnes of cotton on 4,525 hectares, compared with 6,452 tonnes on 6,715 hectares a year earlier. Output fell by 43.75%, due in particular to unfavorable rainfall, seed quality issues and the early emergence of jassids.

The region's modest performance contrasts with signs of recovery at the national level. According to the New Cotton Company of Togo (NSCT), the 2025-2026 season ended with production of about 79,000 tonnes of seed cotton, compared with 60,403 tonnes in the previous campaign, an increase of more than 20%.

Average yields reached 995 kilograms per hectare, up from 797 kilograms a year earlier. This improvement is attributed to better pest control, the maintenance of the farm-gate purchase price for seed cotton at 300 CFA francs per kilogram and continued fertilizer subsidies.

In the Maritime region, producers cite several constraints, including limited access to land, agricultural financing, climate-related risks and payment delays, all of which continue to weigh on the sector's performance. Industry officials say achieving the 10,000-tonne target will require higher yields, renewed producer engagement and stronger involvement of young people and women. National plans to revive the sector aim to raise cotton production to between 150,000 and 200,000 tonnes by 2030.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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