Project of University Development Cooperation - Own Initiative 2007 - Reversing the trend : opportunities for land management practices that

¿ academic overall objective (related to the capacity building of the university): To strengthen the research capacity of the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA) to develop agricultural technologies that improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and reverse the ongoing soil degradation trend ¿ developmental overall objective (benefits for the society ¿ if applicable) Poverty reduction of rural populations through the adoption of more productive and sustainable farming methods and a more profitable marketing strategy by small-scale farmers in the target areas

Academic: To adapt and apply a number of innovative techniques to quantify and remedy soil degradation in farmers' fields under current and improved farming methods Developmental: To disseminate recommendations for more productive and sustainable farming methods in combination with improved marketing strategies, and to form a consortium for further up- and outscaling of project results