Non-Governmental Organization, Good Neighbors Cameroon, have taken a major step in creating sustainable markets for Cooperatives and Unions of cooperatives from Mayo-Danay, Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga and Diamare in the Far North region.
This follows the successful organization of a two-day Agropastoral Mini Fair the region.
The event, which pulled an unprecedented crowd of producers and buyers from across the region, ran from November 28-29 at the premises of WFP Field office in Maroua.
It was organized in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP). According to Good Neighbors Cameroon, this was part of the implementation of the Emergency Project to combat the Food crisis in Cameroon (PULCCA).
The Agro Pastoral Mini Fair was chaired by the Head of Field Office for the World Food Programme in Maroua, Victoria Mwirichia.
The event was also attended by representatives from the Delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (MINADER) and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA).
Cross section of Stakeholders during the Mini Fair
New dawn for Far North producers
The Agro Pastoral Mini Fair was an opportunity for wholesalers, exporters, agricultural support programs to create sustainable partnerships with these Cooperatives and Unions of Cooperatives.
This, we gathered, is to ensure a steady supply of locally produced crops like wheat, soy beans, corn, rice, groundnuts, sorghum.
Through exhibition stands and direct discussion spaces (B2B), beneficiaries of the PULCCA Project showcased crops they were able to produce thanks to assistance from the project.
Some of them displayed products they had transformed with equipment received from the project like the grinding mill, sewing machines amongst others.
Some of the transformed products include: flour from mais, rice, wheat, sorghum. They also presented finished products like groundnut oil and paste, cookies from rice, sorghum, soy beans and mais.
While others who benefitted from training in market gardening showcased farm produce like carrots, beet roots, celery, parsley, and cabbage.
Enter Good neighbours Cameroon
Speaking during the opening of the Agro pastoral Mini Fair, the Project Manager for PULCCA at Good Neighbors Cameroon, Dr Abakar Mahamat, underscored the importance of the event.
Cross section of products during Mini Fair
Dr Abakar said thanks to the collaboration with WFP, they brought together over 10,500 producers into 164 cooperatives and later aggregated them into 25 Unions.
“(…) The main target of this Agro pastoral Mini Fair is to bring together all producers with potential buyers so that we can open them and give them access to the market to facilitate large and sustainable access for producers ,” Dr Abakar said.
Speaking earlier, the Head of Field Office for the WFP in Maroua, Victoria Mwirichia, further stressed the significance of the Mini Fair in the implementation of the PULCCA Project.
PULCCA beneficiaries laud initiative
The beneficiaries of the PULCCA project who attended the Agro pastoral Mini Fair lauded the initiative.
According to the President of the Union of Onion Producers of Makalingai in Tokombere, Ndelem Boutche Paul, thanks to the PULCCA project, they are enjoying a new lease to life.
Ndelem said after facing difficulties in the production of onions, he received support from the PULCCA project to kickstart the production of wheat which has been successful.
“Today I came to present my products from Wheat cultivation. I have been in this for two years since we received support from PULCCA,” Ndelem said.
He said they receive demands from several restaurants who have appreciated the quality of their products.
“Our clients are satisfied and they are able to make profit. That pushed us this year to produce on three hectares of land. We are expecting about three tons in 2026,” Ndelem revealed.
He added that: “We want to consume what we produce here. To limit exportation in the area”.