Factors Influencing Rice Availability in Togo

Rice is among the most consumed cereal crops in Togo with demand growing sharply over the years, due to the population growth and the change in consumer preference. It therefore plays a fundamental role in achieving food security in the country. This paper analyzed the determinants of rice availability in Togo. Secondary time series data from 1989 to 2013 were used. A Fully Modified Least Square (FMLOS) regression was used for the analysis. The study found that rice yield, exchange rate and total arable land had a positive and significant influence on rice supply whereas real per capita gross domestic product and foreign interest rate had negative impacts on rice supply in Togo. Therefore, government policy should focus on increasing the use of improved technologies such as improved seeds and fertilizers to improve rice yield, hence the overall food availability and indirectly food security in Togo