BY ESTHER QUI
Eighteen 75 horse power tractors and improved cocoa and coffee seedlings have been handed over to the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) and youths of the New Generation Program respectively, by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
According to Minister Henry Eyebe Ayissi, this twin event is to enforce the second generation agricultural policy launched by the President in Ebolowa some time ago.
“Given the role CDC plays in the economy of the country, these tractors will improve the competitiveness and productivity of the second employer after the state.”
To the youths, he urged them to use the improved seedlings judiciously, while calling on other young people to be more involved in the agricultural sector.
The Minister reiterated that this is one of government’s measures to ameliorate the agricultural sector, by accompanying CDC, which is a giant agro pastoral industry in Cameroon, and the youths who are the custodians of the future.
On his part, the GM of CDC, Franklin Ngoni Njie said the high quality tractors will greatly help boost their productivity.
“With the rugged nature of the terrain of most of our plantations, tractors are ideal for the transportation of our produce to the factories for due processing.”
Franklin Njie added that this donation is one of the measures that government is taking in order to restructure the CDC: “The first consignment of tractors was handed to us two years ago by the government.”
Meantime in his welcome address, the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Andrew Motanga Monjimba, beckoned the government to develop the Limbe deep seaport: “The timely construction of the deep seaport will ease the transportation of CDC’s products to Douala for subsequent exportation.”
Some beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation for this gesture by the government.
Franklin Fonkeng Essemo, from Muyuka: “I have received improved cocoa seedlings which will be of great help to me. In three years or so, I will be able to fend for myself and not have to depend on anyone.”
Fabrice Ando, from Muyuka: “I am so grateful to be part of this project. I assisted in the nursing of these seedlings. It has been a wonderful experience and I have also learned how to nurture and plant improved seedlings.”
Fredrick Ashu Tambe: “It is a privilege for me to be part of the Head of State’s 2035 emergent plan. These seedlings will enable me to be self employed, sustain myself and my family too. I will put in my best to see that the agricultural sector is one to reckon with.”
Worth noting is the fact that these 18 tractors of the SONALIKA brand, were manufactured and assembled in Ebolowa, while the seedlings were nursed by the youths of the New Generation program, coordinated by the Cocoa and Coffee Inter-professional Council.