Togo strengthens protection of its agricultural sector with a national insurance project

Togo is preparing to take a major step in protecting its agricultural sector with the imminent implementation of a national insurance project. Last week, a two-day meeting brought together producers, support agents, regulators, insurers, public institutions, and technical partners to discuss this crucial initiative.

The discussions provided an opportunity to gather the opinions and expectations of the various participants, with the aim of co-constructing an index-based insurance system that is aligned with national realities. The main objective is to strengthen farmers' resilience to climate and economic risks, while securing their income and encouraging investment in the agricultural sector.

This initiative is supported by the Bioversity International & CIAT Alliance and the Global Center for Adaptation (GCA).

Essiomilé Komi, Director of Planning, Agricultural Statistics, and Monitoring and Evaluation (DPSSE) at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the importance of agricultural insurance. “Agricultural insurance plays a strategic role. It is not only a financial protection tool, but also a lever for transformation. It encourages better practices, builds resilience, and facilitates smarter climate risk management,” he said.

For several years, Togo has used various agricultural insurance mechanisms, subscribing to policies from international companies with the support of its partners. For the 2023-2024 agricultural season, the government has invested one million US dollars, or more than 600 million CFA francs, to subscribe to a new sovereign insurance policy. This initiative was made possible thanks to a $500,000 grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The Emissary