By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
Some 15 Agroforestry Farmers’ Network Coordinators from across four regions of Cameroon, have come together under one umbrella, to create a National Network. They unanimously agreed on creating the network, during the just ended annual review and planning meeting for Agroforestry Coordinatorsheld in Buea, February 9 2018. The network has been named, The Cameroon Agroforestry Farmers’ Network (CAFaN).
It should be noted that the initiative was welcomed by these 15 Agroforestry farmers with the intention of transforming their networks into business oriented institutions, indicating that it will bring about innovations that will augment their growth.
Kum Nicholas, Menchum Divisional Coordinator of the Agroforestry Famers’ Network in expressing his delight on the new project said “I am very happy with ERuDeF for this brilliant initiative of taking us to a different level and also showing us the necessary steps to successfully attain this goal. It is a kind of growth which all farmers need at this time. I believe as a network, we will be able to empower each other and make a better and brighter future as farmers,”
Following elections conducted, Makia Henry (Coordinator Meme Division, Southwest Region) emerged as President, Jean Bosco (Coordinator Bamboutos Division, West Region) as Vice President, Divine Ghakanyuy (Coordinator BuiDivision, Northwest Region) as Secretary, Youmsi Justine (Coordinator from Moungo Division, Littoral Region), Financial Secretary, Gehmu Denise (Coordinator Ngoketunjia Division, Northwest Region) as Treasurer, and Ayuk Rudolph (Coordinator from Fako Division, Southwest Division) as Publicity Secretary. Payong Prudence was voted as Adviser and Louis Nkembi as Technical Partner, through ERuDeF.
According to the President-elect, building a solid foundation through collaboration from all and sundry, will be his first target.
“I thank my fellow farmers for entrusting me with such a huge and delicate task and promise not to fail them. Being President of the Cameroon Agroforestry Farmers’ Network (CAFaN) is indeed a challenging task but I am confident that with collaboration from my team and all the cooperatives which will be formed at the divisional levels, in years to come, this national network will be a reference to many farmers,” Makia said.
On his part, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), Louis Nkembi, advised the farmers to be steadfast and assiduous to building a remarkable national network. He pledged the support of ERuDeF in playing the technical role in giving CAFaN a formidable foundation.
According to Louis Nkembi, the initiative is aimed at bringing all farmers on board for improved living standards of all farmers.
All CAFaN members were further charged with the responsibility of reorganising the networks at the Divisional levels. It was also disclosed that Farmers within the CAFaN, will be opportune to operate as an independent business entity through the creation of their Union of Agroforestry Famers Cooperative of Cameroon.
Their plan of action for the first year is legalising CAFaN, reorganising Divisional networks, coordinating divisional members to create their respective cooperatives, and increasing the visibility of CAFaN at national and international levels.
Also, Cooperative agreements will be sought with the government of Cameroon through technical departments like the Ministry of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments (MINADER), and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF).
At the International levels, CAFaN will strengthen ties with the International Trees Foundation (ITF), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), and theEcosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA), amongst others.