A two-day workshop to reinforce and modernise the information system is underway in Akonolinga.

Divisional Focal Points (Relay Agents) of the cocoa and coffee production zones in the country are currently learning how to collect vital information on the production, processing and sale of the produce for the productivity of the sector both for actors and government. A two-day workshop to this effect began in Akonolinga, Nyong and Mfoumou Division of the Centre Region, yesterday September 5, 2013.

The workshop is in line with the SIF project piloted by the Ministry of Trade in partnership with the National Cocoa and Coffee Board and which gathers and puts at the disposal of the relay agents evolution of the prices of the produce in the world market for dissemination to producers and buyers of the produce in all parts of the county. Organisers said viable and systemic information on the prices is imperative in determining what producers would charge to buyers, most of who capitalize on their ignorance to buy cheap and sell at cut-throat prices.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Senior Divisional Officer for Nyong and Mfoumou, Charles Kamga said, “good information gives a bargaining power to producers and augments their profitability, livelihood and boots the country’s economy.”  Participants say thanks to the SIF project, they are now able to have information on daily basis either on their mobile telephones or internet which is in turn disseminated to farmers and buyers with ease.

“Before, producers gloomed in the dark, not knowing how much coffee and cocoa was sold in the world market. The project now gives us information which we place on particular spots on a daily basis for our farmers and buyers,” Njock James Orock Manga, Divisional Delegate of Trade for Manyu, said. A view corroborated by his college of the Ocean Division, Essama Minkoulou Jean Pierre. “The programme also gives us information on how to manage the production of cocoa and coffee and the drying process so as to have the required quantity and quality,” he said.

They are going through lectures on the economic environment of cocoa and coffee, organisation and functioning of internal sale as well as the structure of export price of the produce, among others. The workshop ends this Friday September 6.