West Region Showcases Agricultural Prowess

The population of the West Region, on December, 20-21, 2013, showcased their rich agricultural and livestock potentials in a mini-agro-pastoral in Bafoussam. Some 2,000 agric and livestock producers exhibited varieties of products, ranging from food and cash crops, animal breeding and poultry farming etc.

From the exhibition at the Bafoussam mini-agro-pastoral show village, hosting over 400 exhibition stands, it was clear that a generation of farmers and herders are shaping a new agricultural system based on diverse natural resources with new techniques build on local knowledge and experience.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates of MINEPIA, Trade and Small and Medium Size Enterprises, the Regional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development for the West, Martin Tazanou, said government has been seeking workable solutions to the problems of inadequate agricultural productivity, through small loan schemes, investment to back private small-scale enterprises, mobilisation of self-help, through finance support schemes to encourage bottom up growth by farmers.

He said 160 prizes for agricultural products and 54 prizes for Livestock farmers' worth over 20,000,000 FCFA in cash and farm inputs have been handed over to best selected farmers, adding that the handsome prizes were to help farmers reap benefits from their crops.

Presiding at the ceremony, Governor Midjiyawa Bakari, said the exhibition at the mini-agro-pastoral show indicates that the West Region is the bread basket of the country. He reminded the farmers that agricultural shows are aimed at encouraging output to fight food insecurity, increase average household income of the farmers and poverty reduction at rural levels.