By Yerima Kini Nsom
Experts have called on business people in the country to exploit the opportunities in organic farming and ecological agriculture by investing heavily in the sector. The call was one of the main imports of a press conference the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agro-ecology in Central Africa, known by its French acronym, PCAC, organized in Yaoundé recently.
Going by the experts, organic and ecological agriculture which refers to farming practices that prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance, is a lucrative sector that should attract investors at all levels. Speakers at the occasion that PCAC organized in partnership with the Economic and Social Council highlighted the view that organic agriculture and agro-ecology are essential levers for sustainable development, food security and adaptation to Climate Change in Cameroon. They regretted that the sector is under-exploited despite enormous investment opportunities, particularly in the production of organic inputs.
Taking the floor, one of the experts, Denise Diane Pountcheu, said Cameroon has all what it takes to make organic and ecological agriculture a sustainable driver of the economy. Pountcheu who is the Director of the Training Vocational Centre in Mbouo-Bandjoun, regretted that lack of access to information about the sector is stalling the effective growth of organic agriculture in the country. She said enhancing knowledge and sensitizing business people on the advantages of investing in the organic agriculture sector, is the best way to arrest the setbacks. According to her, investing in organic agriculture is equally investing in the health of the population, job creation, and enhancing resilience to climate change and stimulating competitiveness of Cameroon’s agricultural economy.
Going by the Director, so many challenges are responsible for the stunted growth of organic agriculture in the country. She cited low availability of organic inputs, difficulties in accessing the market and investments as some of the obstacles to organic agriculture development in Cameroon.
For his part, PCAC coordinator, Dr. Jean Blaise Kenmogne, revealed that PCAC has collected, validated and disseminated knowledge to transform farmers’ holdings into prosperous and sustainable businesses. Dr. Kenmogne said the center has collected, validated and disseminated 83 knowledge products, including, videos, and guides. He added that they have trained and deployed 1, 388 people, including 666 women leaders throughout the country.
Dr. Kenmogne said if organic agriculture is well harnessed and fully exploited; it could be the future driver of Cameroon’s economic progress. The Secretary General of the Economic and Social Council, Zacharie Ngoumbe, said organic agriculture offers opportunities that investors should fully take advantage of. If well managed, he went on; the sector will ensure the production of healthy food as well as guarantee the health of the environment.
Another speaker, Dr. Mathias Foka presented a disquisition of the intricacies surrounding the development of organic agriculture in Cameroon. He stated clearly what the various stakeholders should do for the entire society to reap the benefits of organic and ecological agriculture. The experts were unanimous that organic farming and ecological agriculture aim to produce health food while minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainable farming practices. From every indication these methods are gaining traction as alternatives to conventional farming in Cameroon.