As part of strengthening their collaborative efforts, the delegation from the General Coordination Office of AECID in Abuja and a team from the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) of ECOWAS conducted a joint visit to the livestock market in Adéticopé and the school canteen in Sokomé on February 28, 2024. The delegation from the Spanish Cooperation was led by the General Coordinator of the AECID office with ECOWAS, Mr. Santiago Santiago Ormeño Garcia.

The visit started with the livestock market in Adéticopé, where the delegation had the opportunity to interact with stakeholders benefiting from the support of the National Federation of Livestock and Meat Sector Professionals of Togo (FENAPFIBVTO) under the Project to Support the Promotion of Ruminant Fattening and Livestock Trade Development in Togo (PERCO), a project funded by the Swiss Cooperation. Discussions focused on the dynamics of the market, challenges faced by the livestock sector, and potential areas for improvement and support.

The Spanish Cooperation, known for its commitment to sustainable agriculture, expressed interest in understanding the complexities of the local livestock industry and identifying ways to enhance its productivity. The delegation then went to Sokomé in the Maritime Region to visit the public primary school, equipped with a well-established school canteen managed by the Togolese government through the National Basic Development Agency (ANADEB), providing students with healthy meals and promoting local agriculture.

In Sokomé, discussions also centered on broader goals aimed at improving food security, nutrition, and the overall well-being of students through effective and sustainable school canteen programs.

This joint visit reflects the commitment of both partners to engage directly with local communities, understand their needs, and work collaboratively towards meaningful and impactful interventions.

As a reminder, ARAA is actively involved in supporting school feeding programs with financial support from the Spanish Cooperation. It is also highly active in promoting livestock farming and pastoralism in West Africa.