NWCA launches Program to train 2100 farmers in the NWR in partnership with GP-DERUDEP 2

The President of NWCA Ltd delivering her speech

NWCA in partnership with GP-DERUDEP II today 21st of November 2017 carried out activities in Oku marking the official launch of the Program to train 2100 coffee and cocoa farmers within the NWCA Ltd network on best farming practices, quality control amongst other rich modules. This program is one of the fruits of a partnership between NWCA Ltd and  GP-DERUDEP II and is sponsored by the African Development Bank.

The colourful and eventful launch which took place at the Oku Area Cooperative Union Ltd was met with enthusiasm and excitement from the farmers and indigenes of Oku. This choice of venue was not a coincidence as Oku with its rich soils, favourable climate and hardworking farmers produces the best coffee in Cameroon and West Africa with tremendous international recognition.

The event kicked off at about 10:40a.m with the arrival of the D.O of Oku sub Division and his entourage and was graced by speeches from the president of the Oku Area Cooperative – Mr. Ngoran Peter, the representative of the Mayor of Elak Council – Mr. Ngum Jerome, the president of NWCA, the Coordinator of GP-DERUDEP and the representative of the Regional Delegate of agriculture. 

From L to R: The Sub Regional Delegate MINADER, The Coordinator GP-DERUDEP II, GM NWCA Ltd, The DO Oku, The Representative of Mayor Elak & President NWCA Ltd.

All the speakers made mention of the fact that the training was to equip farmers with the skills to enhance farming and thus increase the contribution of the Coffee sector to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. 

According to another contract signed, at least 300000 coffee and cocoa seedlings will be nursed and distributed to farmers within the NWCA Ltd network, a modern coffee roasting machine will be bought and placed at NWCA for the benefit of the farmers, construction of 50 cocoa dryers in Widikum and Menchum and equipment pools will be put in place for farmers who want to do large scale farming amongst others. All these will go a long way to improve on the quality of cocoa and coffee produced in Cameroon thus making it more competitive in the world market.

Cross section of the farmers

They also mentioned promise of another contract to be signed which will involve the setting up of a marketing information system which will make marketing easier and help farmers track how and to whom their produce is sold.

The Coordinator GP – DERUDEP II Mr. MULUH G. NGUH

The Coordinator of GP-DERUDEP called on all stakeholders to put personal interests’ aside and work towards the successful implementation of the project. He reiterated that what was meant for farmers should be given to them so we could all improve as a nation. 

Farmers who are not yet members of cooperatives were called upon to join one so they can benefit from all the wonderful support this project and many others will bring. The farmers were also advised to put into practice whatever they will learn during the trainings and ask questions when necessary.

Both the President and General Manager of NWCA seized the opportunity to outline some of the several difficulties the organisation has been facing. Some of these include insufficient Government support, huge debts, lack of operational funds and no capacity building and training. The General Manager went ahead to mention some measures which have been put in place to deal with these problems some of which include: the creation of a Sales Commission, improved communication, re - establishment of partnership with the cooperative credit unions particularly Mitanyenn Cooperative Credit Union Ltd (MITACCUL). The GM also made known to all present that the cooperatives were no longer the same. Over 140 million francs have been paid as balances to farmers within the past 3 years.  

Occasion was graced with the presence of Traditional Rulers fro Oku

The speakers acknowledged Government effort towards the growth of the coffee and cocoa sector including the provision of improved coffee seedlings and farming inputs and seized the opportunity to call upon the Government to follow the farming calendar and provide farm inputs at the right time.

Cross Section of farmers

More pictures

 The Government should also empower other farming sectors, put in place measures to enhance price stabilization and also protect farmers from businessmen who do not respect norms by buying at very low prices.

The coordinator of GP-DERUDEP II promised to take back all the problems posed by the farmers to his hierarchy and showed positivity that they will be resolved.

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The GM NWCA Ltd

After the official launch by the Divisional Officer, the General Manager of NWCA took the stage to call on all farmers to reconnect with their cooperatives so that they could enjoy the benefits that are coming their way and also posed challenge to them to quadruple their annual produce as they look forward to regaining their place as producers of the one of the world’s finest coffee. He presented the various modules and explained the rich content which the farmers will be benefiting from the training program as it unfolds.

Farmers savouring the highly aromatic and flavoured NWCA Ltd Kola Coffee

The event which was spiced with amazing cultural presentations from dance groups from the Oku community ended in style with a juju display, coffee tasting and merriment across the yard.

Nothing like the KOLA Coffee Experience

 

The NWCA Ltd Kola Coffee

Occasion ably MCied by Mr. Matthew NGANGWA Manager Oku Area Cooperative Union Ltd.