GFA’s successful contribution to more food security in Togo
As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds, disruptions in domestic food supply chains are emerging as a pressing issue in many countries. Loss of income and jobs is reducing people’s ability to buy food and compensate farmers for their produce. The poor and vulnerable will be particularly hard hit, including the 820 million people who were already food insecure before the Covid-19 crisis. One way to combat the negative effects of crises and conflicts is to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable population.
During the past five years, GFA has been implementing the GIZ project Food Security and Strengthening of Resilience (ProSecAl) in Togo, and will continue to do this in the future. So far, 15,000 women and almost 6,000 children have been reached. The program has increased resilience to food crisis and food and nutrition security by educating women about eating a healthy, balanced diet and teaching them how to grow, store and prepare better food. As a result, these women have introduced an additional food group to their diet, and their children have increased their dietary diversity and meal frequency by at least 10%. One of the key factors of this success is the introduction of bio-enriched, vitamin A-fortified corn and sweet potatoes. In addition, households are trained on good hygienic practices, and provided with clean water to promote human health.
GFA has been contracted for the program’s third phase so that the company can continue its work with its Togolese partners for at least three more years.