Heifer International distributes over one million livestock

Minister of Livestock Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taïga, chaired the Ruby Jubilee celebration in Bamenda recently.

For 40 years, Heifer International Cameroon has improved the lives of 50,000 farmers in Cameroon through its integrated animal-agricultural activities, distributing more than one million livestock of different species.

The programme that cuts across different farming activities such as dairy and beef cattle, and small ruminant farming, crop farming, amongst others, has made life better for 50,000 smallholder farming families in Cameroon. In addition, some 301,000 dependents have seen their incomes improved from an average of FCFA 277,260 to FCFA 608, 825.

Stakeholders at home and abroad converged on Bamenda in the North West Region recently to celebrate 40 years of the success story of Heifer Cameroon. It was an event full of colour and splendor as beneficiary families were on hand to talk of their dividends.

During the event, the Minister of Livestock Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taïga, called on Heifer Cameroon to continue with its good work. He encouraged the staff to comb the nukes and crannies of the country and make live better for Cameroonians through various integrated animal-agricultural activities.

He said dairy cattle and milk production were most successful in the Adamawa and North West Regions thanks to the input of Heifer. Dr Taïga recalled that Heifer is present in six out of the 10 regions of Cameroon, urging the charity to extend its activities to the other four regions. He used the opportunity to promise government’s support and collaboration with the organisation.

Meanwhile, Heifer International Cameroon has impacted the lives of farmers in all the seven divisions of the North West Region, helping in the settlement of some victims of the 1986 Lake Nyos Gas Disaster. The organisation is not only involved in farming, but has equally constructed classrooms, bridges and provided drinking water to some communities in the region.

While tracing the history of Heifer Cameroon, the Country Director, Dr Taboh Humphrey, said it all started in Bambui in Mezam Division of the North West Region when 42 dairy cattle were imported into Cameroon to make animal protein more available to the population.

The charity went operational in 1974 with the objectives of alleviating poverty through the concept of “Passing On The Gift” and helping government in its drive to improve the livelihoods of Cameroonian.