Agric Machinery Fair: Organisers advocate customs incentives

Participants to the International Exhibition on Agricultural Machinery, IEAMC, have parted company in Yaounde praising organisers of the event for what they refer to as a once in a life time event that has brought a turn-around in their businesses. They were unanimous that the fair was unique, with many of them finding near-solutions to revolutionising their business ventures in the agricultural domain.

The closing event of the Yaounde trade fair held in Hall A of the fair village on Friday December 18, 2015, with the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Philip Ngole Ngwese chairing on behlaf of Prime Minister Philemon Yang. The President of the Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forests of Cameroon, Janvier Mongui Sossomba was happy at the massive turnout of national and international partners to the event, saying they did not fail in their idea of bringing farmers, cooperatives and manufacturers of agricultural machinery to around the same table for exchanges.

About 20 Recommenations Made

It emerged from conferences, training workshops and B to B exchanges that the agricultural sector needs customs incentives such as the exemption of import prices of agro-industrial machines. They equally suggested that government should tax imported agri-food products so as to promote local businesses. Participants also joined heads with organisers to recommend the training of technicians for careers in agricultural engineering. By so doing, high qualified experts for training of trainers will be made available for professional agricultural organisations. The training of stakeholders on the value chain approach has also been recommended, with organisers glamouring for the creation of more agricultural schools and training centres for producers. Farmers equally pleaded for easy access to financing and the establishment of a guarantee fund.

The creation and or rehabilitation of pulp production units will provide agro-industries packaging materials while accompanying such companies through incentives and or allowing for preferential manufacturing units of wrappings and packages will promote the emergence of agro-industries. The development of land use plan in agro-forestry, pastoral and fisheries, the establishment and promotion of a social security system for farmers and the integration of agricultural training modules in schools curricula from elementary level were also strongly advised.