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The fourth Marché des Innovations et Technologies Agricoles (MITA) has officially opened its doors in Lomé. The opening ceremony, presided over by Togo's Minister of Higher Education and Research, Kanka-Malik NATCHABA, marked the start of five days of exchanges, innovation sharing and technological discoveries. The 2024 edition of MITA brings together over 250 participants and focuses primarily on integrated pest and disease management solutions for the region's agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors, with the aim of strengthening agricultural resilience and productivity in the face of climatic challenges.

Togo's Minister of Higher Education and Research stressed the importance of MITA in strengthening efforts to disseminate agricultural technologies. "We live at a time when food sovereignty is more than ever a global concern. In the face of climate disruption, health crises and demographic pressure, it is vital to promote and adopt innovative and inclusive solutions that meet the needs of producers while guaranteeing the sustainability of our natural resources," he insisted.

CORAF's commitment

CORAF's Executive Director, Dr Moumini SAVADOGO, reaffirmed CORAF's commitment to promoting the adoption of agricultural technologies and innovations that strengthen food security:"At CORAF, we are committed to promoting the increased adoption of technologies and innovations (T&I) that enable our producers to adapt to today's challenges, particularly those linked to climate change and pest and disease management. We encourage innovation, make it available to users, and support young people in applying these innovations for sustainable agricultural development," he said. 

"Togo, along with all the countries of West and Central Africa, will be sharing the technologies and innovations that research has been able to put in place during this MITA. So it's a meeting of give and take ", confided ITRA General Manager DOUTI Lardja.

Diffusion of Innovative Technologies and Practices

CORAF's strategic priorities for the dissemination of agricultural technologies include National Specialization Centers (NSCs) and Regional Centers of Excellence (RCEs), which play a central role in the generation and dissemination of agricultural innovations.

Among the innovative solutions presented on the first day of MITA:

• CRE-Fruits et Légumes has developed a natural biopesticide, KAMBOUDIN 103.25 SL, to combat the tomato fruitworm(Helicoverpa armigera), a pest responsible for considerable losses in tomato crops. This biopesticide combines an aqueous plant extract with soap, offering an ecological alternative to chemical pesticides.
• The CNS Maïs presented a bio-rational solution for the sustainable management of the fall armyworm(Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize crops.
• The CNS Bioagresseurs has put forward solutions for eliminating the pathogens responsible for the low productivity of vegetatively propagated plants, due to disease. 

Specialization centers such as CRE Racines et Tubercules, CRS Riz, CRE Céréales Sèches et Cultures Associées, CRS Élevage and CRS Aquaculture, as well as several international research centers, also showcased their innovations for pest management and agricultural system resilience.

In addition to classroom discussions, an exhibition area was set up to enable participants, the public and farmers to discover these technologies and innovations in action.