Production of farmed fish, based on high productivity and quality standards, will provide abundant and nutritionally fish to meet the growing needs of the population and strengthen food safety.

Production of farmed fish will provide better remuneration to workers engaged in the sector and contribute to increased revenues from the sale of fish.

Production of farmed fish will create increased opportunities for the valorisation of fish, particularly into various processed food products, dried, fried, salted or cooked in restaurants, while countering imports.

The development of fish farming in floating cages while providing food to the population could hamper inland fishing activities practiced in the same areas and push traditional fishermen out of work.

The production of farmed fish could cause ecological imbalances, even health imbalances, if the standard rules of quality and sustainability are not respected.

Populations living in the vicinity of large aquaculture development basins could experience water shortages and difficulties in accessing it without excessive costs.

Production of farmed fish can confine women to low-paying activities, and therefore limit their development and well-being.

High competition among companies in aquaculture for access to fish seed and feed could lead to the disappearance of the least integrated farms, and compromise the achievement of food security.

The technical skills needed to produce farmed fish could risk excluding women and girls with limited professional training.

Contribute to food security, support the reduction of imports of fish and enhance workers' well-being.

The Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture in Togo by 2030 states as objectives to ensure food security; rebalance the agricultural trade balance; improve the level of agricultural income; ensure a high rate of agricultural growth in a sustainable manner, including though fish production (21).

National Agricultural Investment, Food and Nutritional Security Program 2017-2026 was supplemented by specific plans, including that of the fisheries sector essential for food and nutritional security through the Fish Sector Investment Action Plan 2024-2028 (7, 22).

The Fish Sector Investment Action Plan 2024-2028 aims to increase national fish production by 25% by 2028 in order to contribute to covering national needs (22).

Law 2019-005/PR of January 2019 on the investment code provides for approved companies making a minimum of USD 83,333,333 in new investment, exemptions from duties and indirect taxes or, in the case of imports, other taxes collected (granted for a period of five years) (11). This is the case for equipment and all goods imported for fish farming.

Companies generating 75% of their turnover from exports benefit from the special industrial zone regime (11) and are eligible for more tax advantages, including exemption from corporate tax during the first 5 years and 10% on taxable profit from the 11th to the 20th year (12).

The Fish Sector Investment Action Plan 2024-2028 provides for the following to support the production of farmed fish: the establishment of an aquaculture feed mill, as well as the facilitation of access to aquaculture inputs and equipment through exemption on aquaculture inputs, materials and equipment (22).

The Fish Sector Investment Action Plan 2024-2028 also provides for the creation of modern hatcheries in major regional centres to provide fry from high-performance strains to fish farmers, the acquisition of floating cages, the acquisition of fry to populate the cages and the developed bodies of water (22).

Shalom Farm; Mbawane Fish and Agricultural Farm (FPAM); PARAKANA Fish Farm; Lofty Farm; Nodis Fish (based in the Lake Nangbéto basin).

Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development; Urban Planning, Housing and Land Reform; Village Water and Hydraulics; Environment and Forest Resources; Promotion of Investment; The Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DPA), Advice and Technical Support Institute (22).

European Union (EU), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) we well as banks and microfinance institutions generally offering financial services to actors in the sector (22).

German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), National Federation of Unions of Fishing Cooperatives of Togo, Union of Maritime Fishing Cooperatives, National Federation of Cooperatives of Aquaculturists of Togo, National Federation of Cooperatives of Fish Processors of Togo (22).

The government, the Interprofessional Council of the fish farming sector and the private sector involved in fish farming are building partnerships to prevent environmental risks, ensure the facilitation of financing of activities and access to inputs (22).