The city of Tchaoudjo in Togo hosted a film screening on November 13, promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy food consumption. The event was organized by France's Grand Est region through its operator Gescod in Togo, as part of the 2026 "Alimenterre" festival in the Central Region. The screening was held under the theme "Together for sustainable food!" and received support from the Grand Est region and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Three films were screened during the event, highlighting good agricultural practices, the work of female farmers, and the value added by women in agriculture. The films showcased the courage and perseverance of female farmers, the impact of the Grand Est region's support on their livelihoods, and solutions developed by transhumants in Benin to address conflicts between farmers and herders. The screenings were followed by debates and discussions with resource persons and the public.
The films highlighted the importance of adopting agroecology and promoting healthy food consumption. The first film, "Femmes des Terres," showcased the struggles and resilience of female farmers, while the second film demonstrated the positive impact of the Grand Est region's support on their lives. The third film, "Agro-élevage peuhl, une pratique au rythme de la nature," presented solutions developed by transhumants in Benin to address conflicts between farmers and herders.
The event brought together various stakeholders, including local authorities, farmers, and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture. The discussions that followed the screenings identified areas for reflection on sustainable agriculture in Togo. The participants emphasized the need for a balanced approach to agriculture, ensuring both food sovereignty and public health.
Speakers at the event, including Gescod-Togo's representative Ouronilé Adam Daouda, highlighted the risks associated with pesticide use and encouraged producers to adopt agroecology. Fousseni Hasmiyou, representing the regional agriculture department, discussed efforts to balance intensive agriculture with agroecology, emphasizing the need to reconcile food sovereignty with public health.
Local leaders, including Mme Ouro-Koura Aïssatou and Mme Afeto Afua Victoire, encouraged households to establish their own kitchen gardens and engage in small-scale livestock farming. They called on the government to support female farmers in adopting agroecology and advocated for increased access to land and resources for women.
The event concluded with a renewed emphasis on promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy food consumption in Togo. The "Alimenterre" festival aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable food systems, and the Tchaoudjo screening was a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Key points
- The event promoted the adoption of agroecology and encouraged consumers to prioritize healthy, sustainably produced food.
