The MINADER gift is to encourage farmers to increase production by at least 20 per cent.
The government's commitment to give a fresh push to coffee production in Cameroon has once again been demonstrated with 219 tonnes of fertilizers distributed to some 35.000 farmers at subsidized prices in the North West Region. It emerged from the event at the Bamenda-based Warehouse of the North West Cooperative Association (NWCA) that the government is poised to revamp the sector.
In effect, experts in the sector revealed that government's support in the recent past with fertilizers and chemicals is to thank for a significant increase in production figures. It is against this background that the North West Regional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Godfrey Notutu told beneficiaries of the 219 tonnes of fertilizers to turn full circle towards a 20 per cent increase in production when the new plants start producing fruits in three to four years.
The Regional Delegate revealed that the proper application of the new brand of fertilizers will ensure a bountiful harvest with 20 bags of coffee produced per hectare of land cultivated. He announced good coffee seedlings, more chemicals to treat pests and training programmes in the weeks ahead to accompany the efforts of farmers in their desire to produce more.
A speed brake in the sector is middlemen or clandestine coffee buyers and Godfrey Notutu urged farmers to check them out by standing solidly by the North West Cooperative Association. The sun is about to shine on coffee farmers and the Regional Delegate encouraged more to return to their farms because a census of coffee farmers for reward is imminent.
Away from him, the General Manager of the NWCA, Mongwe Christopher encouraged farmers to remain steadfast because the government is standing by coffee farmers in poverty alleviation. The 219 tonnes of fertilizer are expected to serve farmers of the seven cooperative unions and 43 Cooperative Societies of the NWCA spread in Boyo, Bui, Momo, Mezam, Ngoketungia, Menchum and Donga Mantung Divisions. The fertilizers are part of the pilot programme for the Support of Coffee and Cocoa Sectors of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. On hand to salute the largesse of the government, the President of the NWCA, Francis Fang committed to fight clandestine coffee buyers.
