LOMÉ – During a visit to Togo, Adrian Bell, Secretary General of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), held a press conference on Monday, March 24th in Lomé, to present his organization’s missions and projects to Togolese journalists.
Organized by the Togolese Network of Journalists for Agriculture and Development (JTAD), this meeting provided an opportunity to detail IFAJ’s activities, as well as the initiatives planned to support African agricultural journalists, and particularly those in Togo, within the framework of a partnership with the global agricultural technology company Syngenta.
A Commitment to the Development of Agricultural Journalism
Adrian Bell assured that IFAJ, as an umbrella organization for networks and associations of agricultural journalists and communicators, is committed to developing and strengthening the skills of professionals in the sector.
Podjoley Essonana, Secretary General of JTAD, emphasized that the Togolese network, a member of IFAJ since 2008, is resolutely committed to supporting agricultural development stakeholders. He announced that a project for networking and capacity building of Togolese agricultural journalists, financed by IFAJ, had been selected.
An Ambitious Project to Structure Agricultural Journalism in Togo
This project notably includes the creation of groups of agricultural journalists throughout the Togolese territory. “The goal will be to identify all journalists who are interested in this specialization before the return of the IFAJ expert,” specified Podjoley Essonana.
JTAD, which aims to contribute to the development of agriculture, food security, and rural development through communication, positions itself as a privileged partner of the government and sector stakeholders.
This IFAJ initiative demonstrates the importance given to the role of agricultural journalists in the development of agriculture in Togo, and the desire to strengthen their capacities for quality media coverage.