Innovative packaging to conquer markets

Biodegradable, customer-friendly bags add quality for national and international consumption.

The Upper Nun Valley Development Authority, UNVDA, agro- industry now boosts of customer-friendly product packaged in biodegradable bags which can compare favourably with the best packaging for rice anywhere in the world.

The North West Regional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Godfrey Nutoto, takes credit for the appreciation of the new product which was launched in its Ndop head office on August 6,2014 by the Board Chairman, Tikela Kemonne and North West Governor, Adophe Lele Lafrique.

The biodegradable bags conceived to respectively package 2,4,5,10,25 and 50 Kg of rice are proudly Cameroonian.

They respect norms required by the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development after the recent ban on non-biodegradable materials. The new product appeals and management of UNVDA says they could be recycled.

Marketing Director, Yonghabi Chia Jacob Ndichia says the new product is attractive and gives Ndop rice a more attractive look.

The product, according to him, is a response to customer demands to move from the old fashioned packaging and it is a welcome booster in efforts by UNVDA to reach out to more markets with quality products.

He said Ndop rice features major sales points in Yaounde, Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda with partner customers taking the product to markets in Ngaoundal, Adamawa region and Garoua Bulai.

According to UNVDA’s General Manager, Chin Richard Wirnkar, “the new product comes with UNVDA’s decision to refocus our marketing strategy with super markets that meet international standards as the target.

Super markets are choice areas for customers that go for quality. Boarding schools and other potential customers are being prospected”, he said.

The-36-year old agro-industry has a mission to reduce poverty for the inhabitants of its area of intervention, contribute to food security and increase agricultural production and productivity.

It is against this backdrop that the government recently empowered the UNVDA with tractors, combined harvesters and equipment to achieve target objectives in the promotion of second-generation agriculture.