Togo: Cotton sector to see breakthrough after talks between Olam and farmers

(Togo First) - Togolese cotton farmers and the government recently met with Olam Group to discuss the cotton industry. This could be good news for the sector, after a 2023/2024 season marked by tensions and mild output. The meeting took place on June 11 and 12 at the Ministry of Agriculture in Lomé, gathering the industry’s key players. The Minister of Agriculture, Antoine Gbegbeni, oversaw the talks, alongside representatives of the Nouvelle société cotonnière du Togo (NSCT) and the Fédération nationale des groupements de producteurs de coton du Togo (FNGPC). Major issues covered included the fixing of the purchase price of seed cotton at 300 F CFA for 1st choice and 280 F CFA for 2nd choice. The goal was to guarantee farmers better remuneration. It was revealed that NPKSB and Urea fertilizers will be sold at subsidized prices (14,000 F CFA per 50-kilogram bag). The decisions emerged after farmers complained about input costs. Also during the sitting, a tripartite committee was ...