Small-scale growers in Togo have been affected by adverse weather conditions this year, as well as limited access to a highly competitive market. Yao Tchassouni aims to stand out by growing organic okra using indigenous seeds.
© Yao Tchassouni
The grower says, "The situation is very difficult with arid, hot weather. This is the second month in a row without any rain in our region, making irrigation essential. As a result, we now have to limit our organic okra production to two harvest cycles per year, whereas the season would normally extend over the whole year. This is in addition to a drop in yield from 15 to 10 tons per hectare."
While many Togolese growers opt for cashews or chillies, Tchassouni has turned to organic okra. He explains: "There is far too much competition in the other crops, while okra cultivation is generally carried out on a very small scale, with an average area of 1/4 ha per grower, for the immediate local market. That's why we've devoted our entire four-hectare surface area to organic okra. We identified an opportunity to differentiate ourselves and found a potential export market where supply is low."
© Yao Tchassouni
"We offer fully organic okra from Togo, grown from indigenous seeds passed down through generations, ensuring healthy, quality production with a unique taste that is bound to be welcomed by the market. Our okra is also ideal for drying and conservation. It predominantly grows to a size of 7–8 cm and is available twice a year, between September and December, and between February and June," Tchassouni continues.
On a commercial level, Tchassouni is focusing initially on the regional market. "Given our current resources, we are focusing initially on neighbouring markets in West African countries and are actively prospecting the Moroccan market as a second phase of business development," the grower concludes.
For more information
Yao Tchassouni
Genipima
Tel: +228 92 85 47 91
