As the fifth edition of the Festival la Marmite (FESMA) officially opens today, August 12, 2026, on the esplanade of the Palais des congrès in Lomé, organizers are pointing to last Sunday’s pre-festival event as a sign of what’s to come. The traditional “My Day at the Farm” gathering, held August 9 at the Agri Plaisir farm in Badja, drew children, young people, and adults for a day of agriculture, local cuisine, and hands-on discovery.
Located about 35 kilometers from Lomé and nearly a kilometer off National Road No. 3, the farm served as a rural counterpoint to the urban festival setting. Participants traveled by bus in under an hour, arriving at a site decorated in FESMA’s colors. For many—including several foreign visitors—the morning began with a breakfast of local specialties: porridges, pancakes, juices, and coconut, offering a taste of a typical Togolese morning meal.
A Hands-On Agricultural Immersion
After breakfast and some time for relaxation and games, attendees split into two groups for a guided tour of the farm. FESMA’s auditor, Jean-Paul Agboh-Ahouélété, welcomed the visitors and invited them to explore the site’s activities. The tour covered fruit and vegetable crops, where festival-goers didn’t just observe—they tried sowing in the vegetable fields, getting their hands in the soil and watering young seedlings.
The exploration continued with a visit to a rice field and the livestock areas, where chickens of various breeds, pigs, ducks, sheep, and goats captured attention. For many urban visitors, the chance to see farm animals up close was a rare and memorable experience.
Gastronomy and Local Flavors Take Center Stage
The culinary side of the day was led by the “Mamans Marmite” and the farm’s chefs, who prepared a meal built around local products. The menu included fufu, sweet potato stew, Bambara groundnuts, pasta made from local grains, and various sauces. For some participants, the tasting was a nostalgic return to childhood flavors.
The day also featured culinary master classes focused on adding value to local fruits, as well as a demonstration of a local smoking specialty called “poulets canaris.” One participant, Miranda, described the experience enthusiastically: “This edition at the farm is superb. It’s beyond my expectations. It’s amazing! I love it! The welcome was very good, the food was very tasty, and the atmosphere was great. I felt at home, African, and grounded. I love anything organic.”
Tamélé Patobawi, a technician at Agri Plaisir, explained the farm’s role: “We do livestock farming, but we also welcome visitors for agricultural immersion experiences, with catering services available.”
Why This Event Matters
“My Day at the Farm” is more than a pre-festival warm-up. It reflects a growing trend in Togo and across West Africa toward agritourism—a way for city dwellers to reconnect with rural life and for farms to diversify their income. By combining agriculture with hospitality, events like this help bridge the gap between urban consumers and the producers who grow their food.
For FESMA, the day also serves as a practical demonstration of the festival’s core mission: promoting local produce and culinary heritage. The festival, which runs from August 12 onward in Lomé, is expected to feature a range of activities centered on food, culture, and the value of Togolese agricultural products.
Looking Ahead
As FESMA 2026 officially begins, the Badja event has set a tone of community, discovery, and pride in local traditions. Organizers hope the festival will build on that momentum, offering visitors a chance to explore the richness of Togolese cuisine and agriculture in a festive setting. For those who missed the farm day, the main event in Lomé promises to deliver a similar blend of education, entertainment, and flavor.
