Heifer offers 157 dairy cows to farmers

Over 150 dairy cattle farmers from Santa and Bamenda I in Mezam Division and Jakiri in Bui Division of the North West Region, and Foumbot in Noun Division of the West Region, have benefitted from the largesse of Heifer Project International, HPI Cameroon.

The ceremony that took place in Santa on July 1, 2014, was a rare moment for the farmers to express their joy to the international charity.

The farmers, who have organised themselves in groups through their representatives, thanked Heifer Project International for its gesture.

The Vice President for Africa Area Programmes at Heifer’s international headquarters in Arkansas in the US, Elisabeth Bentliff, said their objective was to better the lives of the people in the communities they operate in.

She said since the inception of Heifer’s work in Cameroon in 1974, they have impacted the lives of many positively. She was confident that the farmers will better manage the cattle so as to raise their income levels.

For the Divisional Officer of Santa, Jam Lawrence, the cattle have come to alleviate poverty in Santa Sub-division. He said by 2020, every home in the area should own a dairy cow in order for Santa to be rated as one of the major areas of dairy production.

He promised to ensure that the cattle are well catered for to ensure productivity.

In another development, Friday July 4, 2014, opened another page in the life of some staff of HPI Cameroon as they were rewarded for services rendered to the organisation.

While some of the staff received labour medals, others received certificates of recognition.

While handing over the medals and certificates, the representative of the Governor of North West Region, Ivo Charles Makoge, called on the staff to be more hard working.

He said the reward should serve as a boost to be more diligent in carrying out their duties.

According to the Country Director of HPI Cameroon, Dr. Taboh Humphrey, it was their tradition to reward hard-working staff, urging the workers not to rely on their laurels, but to continue working for the good of humanity.