Cocoa Production Prospect In Togo

Cocoa has made an important contribution to economic development in Togo. Until recently, virtually all of Togo's exports were agriculture, mainly: cocoa and coffee. In 1961, phosphate exports began, and by 1965 became the leading export commodity. Even after the discovery and production of phosphate minerals, agriculture exports, however, continue to provide more than 30 percent of all foreign exchange and to employ about 75 percent of the active population. Cocoa and coffee represent 70 percent of agricultural exports and cocoa alone provided an average of 27 percent of recorded export earnings between 1966 and 1975. Since 1965, the agriculture sector has been accorded top priority in the national development plan. However, this proclamation has not been fully operationalized. For example, during the Third National Plan for Development (1976-1980), only 20 percent of the total planned investment was intended to finance agriculture. The main objectives in agricultural planning are: a) To increase the aggregate agricultural output, through intensification and diversification of food crops, along with rehabilitation and development of traditional export crops such as: cocoa, coffee, and cotton; b) To raise the level of income and the standard of living of farmers; and c) To create regional growth poles in the rural areas in order to reduce the prevailing rate of rural-urban migration. None of these objectives has been fulfilled. Many studies, however, have been carried out in the agriculture sector, and specific programs have been defined. Cocoa once again has received serious attention among export crops, in the hope that a boost in cocoa production will generate needed foreign exchange. Increasing the production of cocoa will not be easy because of serious problems affecting the industry.