They were handed by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister in Yaounde on June 23, 2016. 

Some eight farmer cooperatives specialised in adding value to cassava have received cassava-processing machines worth 50 Million FCFA. The equipments were distributed to the cooperatives at Nkolbisson, Yaounde on June 23, 2016 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Henri Eyebe Ayissi as part of the Programme to Develop and Promote Roots, Tubers and Plantain, DVPRTP.

The cassava-processing equipment included grater machines for garri and grinding mills for cassava flour and paste. The machines will facilitate the production of food items like “mintomba”, “miondo”, “water fufu”, “boboloh”, “garri” and chips. The grinding mill for paste produces over 500 kg of water fufu per day, while the grater machine can produce over 5 tonnes of garri a day. Cassava is one of Cameroon’s major food crops and counts over 300 by-products, Agriculture Minister said.

DVPRTP was created to improve the livelihood of the population, the Minister explained, insisting that the donation was part of government’s efforts to encourage farmers. The beneficiaries pledged to effectively use the machines. They pleaded with government to support them with quality seeds and to adequately train farmers on the use of agricultural machinery so that they can meet the challenging times.  

The Minister also visited the National Centre for Studies and Experimentation on Agricultural Machinery, CENEEMA, where farmers are trained to use heavy and light agricultural machines like tractors, harrows, fertilizer appliers, ploughs and corn planters.  The structure has been in ruins but government is revamping it sequel to the complete overhaul of the sector (second-generation agriculture), sources said.

Land encroachment is one of the centre’s problems, with its experimentation fields under threat. The land-grabbing saga is already in court, with the centre, under the management of Ernest Ela Evina, praying for justice to take its course.