Briefing Paper

Reducing Rural Poverty and Gender Disparities in Togo’s Agricultural Industry

The agricultural sector has a predominant role in the Togolese economy. It contributes about 38% to the real GDP and employs 40.7% of the total workforce. Despite this, levels of poverty were higher among households headed by farmers in 2015. Poverty remains largely rural in Togo and farm households represent 95.8% of the rural population. It’s clear that many farm workers are not benefiting from their own industry, despite the amount it provides to the national economy. A team of local PEP researchers sought to assess the impact of agricultural investments on farming productivity and poverty reduction in rural areas, with the aim of informing new policies to improve the situation and ensure that both genders feel these benefits.