About Us
Strategy
Objectives
Activities
Egusi Project
Vision for the Future
The Report
Contact Us
PROJECT NAME:
Kendem Farmers Melon Production Project
TYPE OF SECTOR:Rural Community/Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation
LOCATION:Kendem Village - Manyu Division, SW Province
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:To contain widespread poverty and generate employment
OVERALL GOALS:
The melon crop scientifically known as “cucumis momi,” and locally known as the egusi, has
hairs on all of its organs, but the fruits are spherical, smooth and weigh up to 5 kg. The
seeds are eaten in various forms. It is rich in protein, fat and vitamins A, B1, B2 and C.
Egusi is known to eliminate tape worm (Taeria) and serves as a purifier of internal organs.
Families in Cameroon can eat the crop year-round and it is in high demand from
countries in the Central African sub-region and Nigeria.
Generally, the production of egusi is not great because of extensive cultivation methods.
This has led to a limited supply of egusi, driving up prices in the urban market centers. If
the cultivation of the crop is properly carried out, the multiplier effect will be enormous.
In a nutshell, if a huge production plant could be set up for egusi, it would seriously
decrease poverty levels and improve malnutrition.
In recent years, the production of egusi has declined while poverty and malnutrition
among children has risen steadily. Local farmers began consulting among themselves to
find ways to make their lives and their families’ lives better. Dealers in egusi and other
members of the community who had moved to the city returned to Kendem and founded
the KEY FARMERS. The group has been conducting intensive studies on egusi
production in the region while promoting the empowerment of women and introducing
improved seedlings as the only solution to the presently deteriorating situation.
The Kendem village is a missionary community in the Manyu Division, South West
Province of the Republic of Cameroon. The Kendem village and neighboring
communities have a population of approximately 8,300 inhabitants. 85% of the
population is younger than fifty-five. The population can be divided into the following:
Life expectancy is low and the birth rate is high. A cross section of infants suffer from
malnutrition and 65% of school-age children do not continue their education after
elementary school because their parents cannot afford it.
On any 200 hectare piece of land, the production will be spread as follows:
The seeds will be obtained from mature fruits or from treatment laboratories.
The land is cleared and ridged before the first rains (January-March). Tilling or hoeing is done, burying the leftover vegetation. In the savannah regions tilling is done on flat land and ridged after.
The seeds are sown as early as possible with the first heavy rains. For one hectare of land, 2-3 kg of seeds are needed. The spacing will depend on whether it is sole cropping or mixed. 4,000-20,000 plants per hectare are possible, with usually 2-3 seeds per hole.
The moment germination is realized (in 9-10 days), farmers carefully observe to see if there is any damage. If there is, they treat it quickly with insecticide. Phosphate and potassium chloride is added to give the soil rich organic content.
After about 140 days, the fruits are ready for harvest. They are collected and dried for 10 days. Large fields yield much more product and the drying is done using electronic ovens. Over 4 tons of grains can be obtained from 50.000 fruits.
The market for egusi is the Central African Sub-Region. Farmers can also sell to other groups in urban centers who then in turn export the egusi to other countries. KEY FARMERS has a catalog list of wholesale buyers from overseas who procure the egusi.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
COST SHARING:
Introduction:
General Organization:
Chemicals:
Process: