With the appointment of Janvier Mongui Sossomba Tuesday, the entire bureau will be elected in the days ahead to revive the once vibrant farmer’s parliament. The appointment of Janvier Mongui Sossomba by a presidential decree Tuesday as a new president of the Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forests of Cameroon, has ushered in a new lease of life to the organ which is expected to revive farmers activities across the country and give shape to government’s move to boost agricultural production and reduce perennial importation of food crops. The appointment, officials of the chamber say, follows a restructuring process began on August 6, 2009 when a presidential decree changed the name and reorganised the chamber.

From the hitherto Chamber of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Forests of Cameroon to now Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forests of Cameroon, the configuration of the “Farmer’s Parliament” has also changed from yesteryear’s 60 substantive and 60 alternate members to now 200 members divided as follows; agriculture with 88 members, fisheries 24, livestock 44 and forestry and wildlife with 44 members. The new members were elected in a nationwide election in July 2010 and their mandates were validated in a plenary session in Yaounde on Wednesday October 13, 2010.

In a chat with CT yesterday, the Secretary General of the chamber, Dr Nwana Bernard, said the appointment was already highly awaited. Preparations are already afoot ahead of his installation by the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the days ahead after which the members will proceed with the election of the other bureau members. “We have already put in place a working mechanism for the new chamber so that the new president will just take off”, he said. The new chambers, he added, will have the challenge of defending the interests of farmers, protecting them, representing the farmers in decision-making organisations and institutions, training the farmers on how to carryout their activities as well as representing them at national and international agricultural forums.

The revived chambers will however need to seek solutions to obstacles like funding, which were not unconnected with the near collapse of the former chamber, given that it depended solely on irregular State subvention. Besides the State subvention, the new body will also function with revenue from movable or immovable assets, sundry income, duly authorised loans, donations and legacies, proceeds from services it will be rendering, among others. Dr Nwana said the composition of the new team, made up of professionals in the various sectors, coupled with the determination of public officials to step up agricultural production, gives reason to hope for better days ahead. “It will work in synergy with the newly created body to control the importation of food items so that the country can produce enough, have storage facilities to ensure continual supply all year round to all parts of the country”, the SG reiterated.