Nearly one-third of fruits and vegetables sold in Togo contain pesticide residues above international standards, according to a new study presented in Lomé this week. Researchers also detected banned substances in several samples.
The findings raise concerns for public health as well as for the competitiveness of Togolese agriculture, particularly in export markets. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Togo's Ministry of Environment presented the data during a validation workshop attended by national experts and institutions. Samples were collected from all five regions of the country.
Professor Abdullatif Diallo, a consultant on the project, said that misuse is widespread. "We are not the biggest users of pesticides in Africa, but we use them very poorly. Several banned products are found in the residues," he said.
The misuse of pesticides poses risks to exports. Products that fail to comply with international residue limits may face rejection on global markets, undermining crops such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, and horticulture. Non-compliance could lead to restrictions on trade and affect the country's agricultural revenue.
FAO's country representative in Togo, Djiwa Oyétounde, called on authorities to strengthen traceability systems, improve producer training, and expand the testing capacity of national laboratories.
Farmer organizations are also advocating for crop rotation practices to reduce pesticide reliance. They argue that such measures would help protect consumer health and safeguard the credibility of products marketed under "Made in Togo."
Source: TogoFirst