Grassfield II Project Widikum launch coincides with farmers’ feast

The Grass-field phase II project after Santa/Tubah production basin was launched in the Widikum production basin in Momo Division recently. This launching coincided with the farmers’ feast organised by the Widikum Council bringing together farmers and produce that grow in Widikum.

There was plenty of palm oil, cassava, cocoyam, plantains, cocoa, honey, white stuff etc which gives credence to being identified as one of the production basins by the Grass-field phase II project.

Benjamin Fobuzo, the project agronomist, who spoke on behalf of the Project Coordinator, said the Grass-field II project was born to address the issue of lack of infrastructure.

The lack of infrastructure was noticed after a careful study and to an extent the Grass-field project is to accompany government in moving agriculture to second generation agriculture, he said. This would in turn reduce poverty given accompanying infrastructure such as roads and storage facilities shall enable produce transported to the market.

Fobuzo recalled that in the past projects were spread across the Region with very little or no impact in the Region. With such a gory experience the Grass-field II project decided to limit activities in four production basins. Most activities would be outsourcing projects; that is contracts would follow normal contract procedure beginning at the tender level.

The Grass-field II project shall open up farm-to-markets roads to ease evacuation of farm produce. Only projects mounted by farmers’ groups or cooperatives shall be funded.

The Mayor of Widikum, Tayo Denis Aghen, appreciated the aid and said this is a wonderful opportunity for farmers and that Widikum is located on the Bamenda-Enugu road providing a natural and ready market for the farm produce.

The Divisional Officer for Widikum, Anurerine Mbuge, representing the Senior Divisional Officer, lauded the coordinator and the management of Grass-field II project for choosing Widikum among the four production basins in the Region. “This is a privilege that should be taken advantage of to improve on the economic empowerment of the population,” he said.

The SDO’s representative reminded the beneficiary population that there are responsibilities that go with this privilege. Farmers, he said, should endeavour to explore this opportunity to produce more crops and make use of modern farming techniques given that the government is encouraging second generation agriculture to boost yields.