Togo: Rice farmers discover promising rainfed rice varieties at the ITRA Technopark

A delegation of Togolese rice farmers visited the Agricultural Technology and Innovation Park (Technoparc) of the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA) in Davié in August 2025. For most of these farmers, this day marked their first encounter with rainfed rice varieties, opening up new perspectives for Togolese agriculture. Discussions during the visit revealed the exceptional potential of the strictly rainfed rice varieties WAB0019634 and AB0019715 developed by ITRA. These innovative varieties offer a decisive triple advantage:

• Increased resistance to disease thanks to their optimized genetic heritage
• Remarkable drought tolerance, meeting the challenges of climate change
• Exceptional yields of 5 tonnes per hectare in just 90 to 100 days of growing cycle.

The producers’ enthusiasm for this innovation

The participants, particularly the women rice farmers, showed a keen interest in these varieties which are perfectly adapted to the currently unpredictable climatic conditions.

“Togolese women often grow rice primarily to feed their families. Sometimes we don’t get a good yield because of water management problems. But when I came here, I saw that there are other seeds that we can grow on dry land. I encourage women to adopt these seeds. If we cultivate them, I’m sure that little by little, we will escape poverty,” says DZOLEVO Ama , a rice producer and processor in Kpélé Tutu, with enthusiasm.

The impact of this discovery goes beyond the individual level, as expressed by GODZO Yawa Ana, a rice farmer from Agotimé Tagba, canton of Amoussoukopé:

“When I get home, I plan to inform the members of my group and even the whole village that, at ITRA, I saw varieties of rice that can be produced just like we grow peanuts back home.”

An innovative teaching approach

According to the Technoparc coordination team, this sector-based guided tour approach is a preparatory step for the open house events. It allows for in-depth discussions with producers on all technical aspects: cultivation methods, varietal characteristics, and agronomic performance.

Researchers from the ITRA National Rice Program took this opportunity to raise awareness among participants about the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) , a method that increases yields while optimizing resource use and reducing the environmental footprint. The visit extended to all the plots in the Technopark, allowing producers to discover:

• EXBAIKA, an aromatic rice variety with an exceptional yield potential of 10 tonnes per hectare
• High-performing varieties of peanut, soybean, sesame, cowpea, millet, sorghum and cassava
• Innovative technologies for animal and fisheries production;

The participants unanimously praised the excellent work carried out by the ITRA researchers. They expressed their deep gratitude to the Togolese government and to strategic partners, particularly CORAF and FSRP, for their multifaceted technical and financial support.

Article source: https://www.coraf.org/actualite/des-riziculteurs-decouvrent-les-varietes-de-riz-pluviales-prometteuses-au-technoparc-de-litra?locale=en