Government Promotes Second Generation Agriculture in North West

Choves Loh

3 August 2011

Mechanization, good seeds, improved varieties and irrigation is topical in efforts by North West farmers to triple crop yields for consumption and the market.

This is at the centre of a visit to the region by the Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, MINADER, Ananga Messina Clementine. Ananga Messina is criss-crossing Mezam, Ngoketunjia, Boyo and Bui divisions with messages of encouragement for farmers committed to taking the nation’s largely subsistence agriculture to second generation levels.

On Tuesday August 2, 2011, the Minister visited EIC and Rock farms in Santa Subdivision in Mezam Division where farmers displayed their produce and know how. Nuza Sixtus briefed Mrs Ananga on the 10-hectare EIC farm with a production capacity of 20 to 25 metric tonnes per hectare for an overall output of at least 200 metric tonnes. Agricultural technicians are to thank for good yields on the farm that can be improved with storage and irrigation facilities. At Rock Farm, former Prime Minister, Simon Achidi Achu and the Rock Farm Women’s Group, took the ministerial team round potato farms, commending MINADER for the programme to promote solanium potato farming.

Other places so far visited by Mrs Ananga Messina Clementine and her delegation are the MINADER seed multiplication farm, UNVDA equipment pool and rice mill, maize and rice farms, IRAD foundation maize seed farm; all in Ndop, Ngoketunjia Division. The Ndawara Tea Estate in Boyo Division was also visited as well as SHUMAS farms, the Tadu potato farm and the Oku Honey Cooperative, all in Bui Division.

The Minister will this Friday, August 5, 2011 hand over certificates of incorporation to women federations in Bamenda. She will also be offering tractors to Santa Potato Union members, farm tools and equipment to rice and other farmers as well as financial assistance to some groups. A meeting with farmers and businessmen is expected to end the visit to agricultural schools in the region.

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