The Gateway to Poverty Alleviation in Manyu Division


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PART ONE: ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OF KEY FARMERS-CAMEROON

INTRODUCTION

The KEY FARMERS – CAMEROON was created in 2003 as a non-profit community self-help Common Initiative Group of volunteers and as a result of the hardship, hunger, diseases and poverty that faced particularly the inhabitants of the enclaved and marginalized Kendem Community (Awanchi and Betieku clans) in the Upper Banyang Sub division as well as Manyu Division and the South West Province. The initial goal was to help farmers in this community in their effort to fight hunger, poverty and diseases and promote sustainable agriculture and rural development. As a Common Initiative Group (C.I.G), it was registered as SW/GP/01/03/3540 of 2 July 2003 in accordance with Law No. 92/455/PM of 23rd November 1992.

Over the years as Key Farmers expanded its activities, it became an umbrella organisation with 20 autonomous farmers groups working with more than 500 farmers in 25 villages in the Upper Banyang sub-division, particularly in the Awanchi and Betieku clans. This led to the re-structuring of Key Farmers (CIG) to become a Community Development Association registered under Law No.90/653 on the 19th December 1990 with registration No. G39/014/158 on 2nd November 2004. It has its head office and project site in Kendem village and a liaison office in Kumba. The area of operation covers the Kendem Community in particular, Manyu Division and South West Province in general.

The strategy of the Association is to provide capacity-building through training and demonstration to young farmers on income generating projects, appropriate technologies, cultural practices and mobilization of local resources for poverty alleviation and disease prevention.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives are focused on the different project areas envisaged to increase the standard of living of the rural people and includes the following objectives:

  • To assist and train young farmers to acquire new skills and knowledge that would improve crop production and productivity to make them self-reliant and increase their incomes
  • To empower and train youths on the Agro-forestry and tree crops of high value as a means to increase family incomes, protect the environment and improve their health
  • To create an agricultural multipurpose centre in the Kendem area for capacity-building and to accommodate young farmers in income-generating, promoting crop production and marketing particularly palm oil, plantains, non–timber forest product, tree farming and the empowerment of women and youths in their fight to alleviate poverty and misery
  • Other related objectives are in the campaign against HIV/AIDS, support to poor and disadvantaged pupils to help develop skills on income-generating activities to sustain their education and way of life. Also the sensitisation of farmers on methods of saving money for agricultural exploitation and community development.

FUNDING FOR THE ASSOCIATION

The principal funding for the Association’s activities is the annual share of members and registered groups, registration fees and membership cards, donations and grants, and the sale of product. The Association has not received any funds from it partners and donors nor from grants.

MANAGEMENT AND FUNCTIONING

The management of the Association is governed by an Executive Management Board that meets twice annually to adopt strategies and budget. The coordinator oversees all operation and activities and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Association. Working in collaboration with the Coordinator are:

The Secretary–General; Auditor (evaluation and monitoring); Education Officer; Project Officer and Deputy; Account Officer (Accountant); Legal adviser and Representatives (leader) of autonomous groups affiliated to Key Farmers–Cameroon

The general staff strength includes Nine (9) Executive members who represent the Executive Management Board on a permanent basis, with five (5) volunteer workers on a non-permanent basis who work with the various autonomous groups. There are five (5) temporal workers on the project site in the Kendem village along the Mamfe-Bamenda road in Manyu Division who in collaboration with the fifteen (15) leaders of groups (Representatives) establish the nursery and demonstration farms.

MANAGEMENT

    Etchi Daniel Jones, Coordinator. He is a development consultant with ten years experience working with CIGs, involved in development issues.
    Barrister Awutah Philip, Legal Advicer. He is a lawyer and advocate with five years experience practicing law.
    Asah Giles Fobeneh, Project Adviser. Asah is an Ingenieur Agronome with fifteen years experience with CCSP and four years as president of a Credit Union.
    Monono K.N. Samuel, Project Officer. Monono is an Agronomist with six years of experience as a ZEW and field superior on palms and rubber at Ekona.
    Mfortem Oben, Account Officer. He is an accountant with five years experience with SSL and three years with TELCAR Kumba.
    Ashu Mercy Enow, Treasurer. Ashu is a Cashier with six years experience working with groups on daily money collection and savings.
    Abua Daniel, Project Field Staff Deputy. Abua is an Agricultural Technician with seven years experience with PRTC Kumba.
    Ndeck Ernestine Lua, Marketing Officer. She is a Businesswoman with three years experience with AIM Group International.
    Tarh Ambriose, Auditor. Tarh is an Accountant with fifteen years experience with BICEC Bamenda.

COLLABORATION

Key Farmers-Cameroon has collaboration with the following organisation/institutions:

  • Manyu Palm Kernel Industry (MAPKIN) in Mamfe: on capacity-building (training) and advisory services in the domain of palm oil production, kernel marketing and oil pressing machines.
  • Organisation for Sustainable Rural Infrastructure (OSRI) in Kumba: in the area of technical and general consultancy on nursery establishment, maintenance of oil palm presser and farm tools repairs.
  • OLAMEH (oil palm growers) in Kendem village: in the creation of oil palm estates and oil palm nurseries.
  • Conserve Africa Foundation in United Kingdom: in the area of funding yet to start.
  • Methodist Relief and Development Fund in the United Kingdom: in the area of funding yet to start.
  • American and Canadian Embassy, yet to start assistance.
  • Representative in Germany Mr. Gunther Just, e-mail: justgunther@yahoo.de.

Other partners include:

  • Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD Barommbi Kang and Ekona)
  • The SOWEDA (South West Development Authority)
  • Schools/Colleges (G.S.S Kendem)
  • SWECSON

The beneficiaries of Key Farmers Cameroon actions include:

  • Farmers in the Awanchi and Betieku clans in the Upper Banyang sub division
  • Youth groups
  • Women groups
  • Pupils and Students
  • Communities and handicaps

CONCLUSION

The background and mission of the Key Farmers – Cameroon are targeted towards community-building efforts that go to alleviate poverty in the rural areas, particularly in the enclaved and marginalized communities of the Awanchi and Betieku clans of the Upper Banyang sub division in Manyu Division of the South West Province. The strategies and projects are focused on training and demonstration as well as helping to assist young farmers acquire knowledge and skills to increase crops production and productivity; particularly Oil Palm, Cocoa, Agro–forestry, fruits and tree farming. There is indication that materials support to Key Farmers-Cameroon will help them meet up with their main objectives and accomplish their mission.

PART TWO: TECHNICAL REPORT OF KEY FARMERS-CAMEROON

INTRODUCTION

Key Farmers-Cameroon started in 2003 as a community building self–help organisation to fight against hunger, diseases and poverty by helping farmers make the difference in poverty alleviation in the Manyu Division, with a head office in Kendem Village along the Mamfe–Bamenda road. The group was created with the mission to take an active part in the fight against hunger, diseases, poverty and assisting the rural masses in increasing their income through the improvement of their crops and method of making use of natural resources and the environment. The Key Farmers work with farmers groups, individual farmers and communities (localities) willing to engage in agricultural activities to increase their production and improve their standard of living. Within 3 years of activities in the field, Key Farmers have been involved in the areas of:

  • Youth Empowerment Project domain
  • Agro-tourism domain
  • Agro–forestry and tree crops domain
  • School–based agro-education domain
  • Diseases prevention domain

BRIEF SUMMARY OF MAIN ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN 2004

Establishment of a multi-purpose nursery training centre: This centre is in the Kendem village of the Upper Banyang sub-division in the Manyu Division along the Mamfe–Bamenda road where young farmers are trained on the technique of creating nurseries for tree crops, fruits and oil palm. The objective was to provide an ideal environment and materials for the training of farmers on nursery techniques and to overcome the lack of improved seedlings materials in the area due to distance and poor roads during the rainy season. This was a hindrance to the acquisition of improved seedlings from IRAD and CCSP Kumba for cocoa and Pamol Lobe for oil palm. With the establishment of this nursery centre in January 2004, it has raised the production for cocoa, oil palm and tree crops seedlings. This centre has hosted 1 training on cocoa nursery techniques and 7 trainings on oil palm nursery techniques. The cocoa nursery techniques training involved 90 participants, including 21 females and the oil palm nursery techniques involved 181 participants including 31 females. The participants came from more than 14 youth groups in the Kendem Community (Awanchi and Betieku clans). The participants are presently helping farmers in their various localities on nursery techniques as well as operating their own farms. Other trainings that have been organised in this centre include Maize, Cassava, Plantains and Banana production techniques as summarized below.

Field awareness lectures are on the cocoa/oil palm production as a means to alleviate poverty: The field awareness and sensitisation with groups and youths is one of the Key-Farmers' objectives to educate youths and farmers on the advantage of working together for the production of tree crops as a means for poverty alleviation. Resource persons from CCSP/IRAD Barombi Kang were involved in the field lectures. Five contact meetings were held with village authorities of the Awanchi and Betieku clans. These meetings were used to explain the mission and objectives of the Key Farmers–Cameroon on poverty eradication using crop production and marketing. This forum was used to identify interest groups and assist in their efforts for crop production and rural development. This activity helps create awareness and increases the involvement of more youths in the production of food and tree crops, which has reduced rural exodus tremendously in the area.

The following trainings have been held thus far:

  • Cocoa Nursery Techniques: 1 training, 90 attendees (69 males, 21 females)
  • Oil Palm Nursery Techniques: 7 trainings, 181 attendees (150 males, 31 females)
  • Plantains and Banana Multiplication: 5 trainings, 48 attendees (29 males, 19 females)
  • Maize Production Seedlings: 3 trainings, 102 attendees (35 males, 67 females)
  • Cassava Production Seedlings: 3 trainings, 95 attendees (35 males, 60 females)
  • Total: 19 trainings, 318 male attendees, 198 female attendees

Distribution of Oil Palm and Cocoa Seedlings to Youth Groups: The purpose of this activity was to reinforce and encourage youths who had established their farms to promote the expansion of their farms. More than 2000 improved oil palm seedlings and 800 improved cocoa seedlings were realised during the training of youth groups and farmers and nursery seedlings techniques were distributed to more than 50 young farmers in June 2004. The distribution of oil palm, cocoa and tree crop seedlings have become a driving force to empower the youths to help them create their individual farms with more than 40% of the trained youths operating farms with the seedlings distributed to them.

Launching of the fruit trees and agro-forestry domain in Kendem: A special ceremony was organised in Kendem on 15th November 2004 involving leaders of groups, village authorities and students for the official launching of the Agro-forestry and tree crops activities of Key Farmers in Kendem village. The objective was to create a forum to explain to the public the importance of Agro-forestry and tree crops production in poverty alleviation. It was to encourage youth involvement in agro-forestry as a way of environmental protection and increase food crops production and productivity. More than 150 participants were involved and it drew people from youth groups and women groups.

Opening of the trial and demonstration farm: The Key Farmers opened a trial and demonstration farm at Kendem village in June 2004 involving young farmers in the creation of nursery for palm oil, cocoa and value tree crops. This farm serves as motivation and as a reference site to encourage those who are yet to open their own farms in their domains. Most farmers in the area obtain their seedlings for planting from this farm. Due to this activity, the Kendem traditional council donated more than 50 hectares of land for demonstration purposes.

Donation of farm tools and equipment to the Environmental Club of the Government Secondary School (G.S.S.) Kendem: The Key Farmers donated farm tools and equipment to some students in the Environmental Club of G.S.S Kendem on 9th February 2004 during the youth week to encourage them in their efforts for environmental protection and tree planting. During this donation exercise which took place in the presence of the school authorities, villagers and student body, lectures were delivered by the project office and Coordinator. Mr. Monono Samuel and Mr. Etchi Daniel Jones spoke about the importance of tree planting and the role of students and youths in environmental protection. The school authorities (Principal) welcomed the gesture of Key Farmers for the choice of their school, and assured that proper use will be taken by the members of the club.

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE KEY FARMERS IN 2005

Training of young farmers on tree nursery techniques and production: Training of farmers in the Kendem Community took place in Kendem from 15–30 March 2005 on tree nursery establishment and production of cocoa, Palm oil and other tree crops. This was organised by the Project Officer of Key Farmers, Mr Monono Samuel, in collaboration with Resource Persons from CCSP/IRAD Barombi Kang. More than 30 young farmers participated and benefited from the rich knowledge and techniques on tree nursery establishment and crop production.

Contact awareness on importance of Agro-forestry species and tree crops with CIGs: From 20th–30th of April 2005, the Coordinator and Project Adviser, in collaboration with the research assistant from IRAD, Mr. Ebai Maxwell, made contact to tour more than 25 Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), in fifteen villages of the Upper Banyang Sub-Division, to explain and sanitize them on the importance of Agro-forestry and tree crops as a sure means to increase income and reduce poverty. The Key Farmers' objective for sponsoring this contact tour for CIGs was to increase diversification among farmers in the area and to help increase revenue as a way to fight property.

Training in Oil Palm Production and Marketing: This training that was sponsored by Key Farmers involved OLAMEH Oil Palm Growers Common Initiative Group (OOPAGS) in Kendem. It took place on 8-15 May 2005. The main objectives were to increase their skills in oil palm production and marketing in the face of bad roads during the rainy season, as well as to avoid the exploitation of middle men and women in the business. More than 20 farmers with each having more than 3 hectares of oil palm estates were involved in the training. The Resource Persons came from IRAD Barombi Kang, CCSP, the Project Adviser and Project Officer, (Key Farmers).

Students/Pupils trained on nursery management and tree planting: The Key Farmers involved the training of students of G.S.S Kendem on the techniques of nursery establishment and tree crops planting. This led to a partnership with G.S.S. The knowledge acquired by the students will help them establish their own farms or use the nursery of tree crops to raise income and assist their sponsors in their education. More than 150 students participated in this training that was organised during the Christmas period (20-23 December 2005).

Envisaged fishery project at the Upper Manyu River Basin with CIGs: In collaboration with a German Volunteer, Mr. Gunther Just, a pilot fishery project has been envisaged at the Upper Manyu River with CIGs to start up fishery operations. The necessary feasibility study was carried out in December 2005. This project is to be sponsored externally from Germany and Holland to enable fishery activities to take off in the Upper Manyu River.

2004 ANNUAL REPORT OF KEY FARMERS CAMEROON PRESENTED DURING THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING ON DECEMBER 27, 2004 AT THE LIAISON OFFICE KUMBA, BY THE COORDINATOR MR. ETCHI DANIEL JONES

Introduction

This report covers activities of the Key Farmers Cameroon within the period of 15 December 2003 to 27 December 2004. The activities last year focused on sensitisation, creating awareness, and setting up the various organs of the Association and generating funds for the execution of activities. We succeeded in opening the head office at Kendem and the project site. We procured more than 50 hectres of land for field trials and demonstration from the Kendem Traditional Council. This report highlights the action plan, activities carried out, results achieved, problems encountered, financial statement and recommendations.

Action Plan for 2004

  • Continuous contact visits to villages and sensitisation meetings with various groups
  • Capacity-building workshops for youth and women groups at training sessions
  • Evaluation and monitoring of trained youth groups and farmers activities
  • Establishment of a training centre at Kendem

Activities Carried Out

  • The envisaged multipurpose training centre was established in January 2004 in collaboration with the Kendem Traditional Council. The structure has a large training room and two attached rooms. A blackboard and some few sitting accommodations have been provided. The centre has served enormously well during the training workshops. More attention should be emphasized on equipping the centre to a better standard.
  • Field lectures on oil palm and cocoa production as the surest means to poverty alleviation. More than five contact groups in six villages were involved and the impact of the lectures are yet to be evaluated. However, more farmers are now involved in oil palm and cocoa production in the area. Marketing of the crops seems to be a major problem to farmers.
  • Distribution of oil palms and cocoa seedlings. About 2000 oil palms and 800 cocoa seedlings were realised during the training organised last year and were distributed to some 50 young farmers in the Kendem community. This activity has help increased awareness and presently more farmers are getting to know the Key Farmers' objectives. This exercise took place in June 2004.
  • Training workshops on the establishment and technique of oil palm/cocoa nursery took place thanks to some resource persons from IRAD and CCSP Kumba. We were able to achieve this important task with limited available means. This workshop involved about 516 participants in 19 training sessions and the knowledge acquired has helped the trainees themselves to create their own nursery for tree crops. This activity will become an annual rendezvous for more youths to gain new knowledge especially since about 40% of the trained youths operate farms of their own.

Problems Encountered

  • We were unable to cover the area during our sensitisation tours due to bad roads and the enclaved nature of the area.
  • Most workshops were delayed and some cancelled due to insufficient training materials and lack of resources to accommodate more experts and technicians for training.
  • The centre is yet to be well-equipped for the standard it deserves and that could accommodate more participants during training sessions.
  • The follow-up from these youths/farmers groups was hindered due to lack of means for the necessary trips to the field.

Financial Statement

Based on the accountant's report, income realised for 2004 was as follows:

  • Members and groups shares---------------------1.300.0000frs (increased by 100%)
  • Donations and grants-----------------------------------60.000frs (increased five folds)
  • Registration and membership cards ----------------140.000frs(increased by 50%)
  • The total income for 2004----------------------------1.500.000frs

For the expenditure, it stood as follows:

  • Stationary/secretariat duties------------------------------------150.000frs
  • Training workshop sessions -----------------------------------800.000frs
  • Salaries to workers (office/nursery)---------------------------300.000frs
  • Sundry expenses/transportation-------------------------------175.000frs
  • Total expenditure 2004---------------------------------------1.425.000frs
  • Net balance carried forward for 2005 stands at ------------------75.000frs

Conclusion and Recommendations

It should be appropriate for the Board to determine a date line when all shares must be contributed to enable proper planning of the various workshops and activities. This will avoid most of the difficulties experienced during training. Training workshops on poverty alleviation issues that can help farmers improve their income should be of priority to the association. The association should start seeking ways to expand its activities to other areas in the South West Province. The project officers should be encouraged to develop feasible and viable projects that could be submitted for sponsorship to donor agencies and NGOs. There is still a need for greater awareness of Key Farmers' activities within the enclaved areas of the South West Province.

To conclude, we extend our gratitude to all Board Members, collaborating institutions and farmer groups that in one way or the other, assisted and participated with us despite the limited means to achieve some of our objectives. This has helped to some extent in improving the standard of living of the rural people and reducing poverty in the enclaved and rural communities.

Humbly submitted by

THE COORDINATOR

2005 ANNUAL REPORT OF KEY FARMERS CAMEROON PRESENTED BY THE COORDINATOR, DURING THE BOARD OF EXECUTIVE MEETING HOLDING AT THE LIAISON OFFICE KUMBA ON DECEMBER 20TH, 2005

Introduction

I have the singular pleasure to present the stewardship of the executive management covering the period 28 December 2004 to 20 December 2005. Last year, emphasis was placed on lectures, training workshops, distribution of seedlings and getting the centre functional. These activities gave a giant step for the Association to help young farmers make the difference. Due to an increase in our income, we were able to achieved a good number of planned activities, thanks to the collaboration of the eminent board members. This report will present the action planned, activities carried out, results achieved, problems encountered, financial situation and recommendations.

Plan Actions for 2005

  • Continuous tree crops nursery and planting
  • Opening of trial and demonstration farms
  • Training workshops and partnership with G.S.S Kendem
  • Envisaged Agro-tourism at Upper Manyu River Basin
  • Continuous sensitisation and a follow-up visit
  • Equipping of the Training Centre

Activities Implemented

Effective establishment of the multi-purpose tree nursery training centre: This enables young farmers to acquire new skills. There is a need for essential materials to be provided to get the centre to the capacity and standard so that it can host other training workshops in the area by other institutions and NGOs.

Trial and demonstration farm was created in Kendem in June 2005: This enables farmers to improve their skills on new techniques of valuable tree crops. The maintenance of this farm has become a major concern and it is time we made good use of the more than 50 hectares procured from the Kendem Traditional Council for on-farm trials and demonstration.

Donation of farm equipment/materials: We donated some farm tools and nursery materials to members of the Environmental Club at G.S.S Kendem during the youth week in 2005. More than some 150 students participated in this training exercise.

Training workshop on crop production and marketing: We organised a training workshop on crop production and marketing with the OLAMEH (Oil Palm Growers) in Kendem in May 2005. Thanks to the Resource Persons who with little remuneration and transport allowances persevered under harsh conditions. Meanwhile, other training sessions took place in March 2005 for the young farmers and group leaders. The aspect of training (capacity-building) has become one of our major activities each year.

Lecture to create awareness: We organised lecture forums that created awareness and enlightened both youths and women on the importance of Agro-forestry as well as tree crops to reduce poverty. This was carried out from 20-30 April in the Kendem Community. The collaboration of ICRAF may be solicited in due course.

Fishery Project: Thanks to the collaboration of a German and Dutch Volunteers, an elaborate fishery project has been envisaged with some CIGs along the Upper Manyu River Basin. This accord took place early this December 2005. We are optimistic for its take-off in the near future.

Problems Encountered

  • There was low participation during most of the training sessions due to poor timing, bad roads and poor communication.
  • The absence of a Chief of Agric-Post in Kendem to help reinforce Key Farmers activities and mobilise the farmers.
  • Lack of adequate training materials and farm inputs for demonstration during training sessions.
  • Lack of means to purchase materials to equip the head office, liaison office and training centre.
  • Inadequate funding to meet up with envisaged planned activities.

Financial Statement

From the accountant’s records, income realised for 2005 was:

  • B/F account 2004----------------------------------------75.000frs
  • Members and groups shares----------------------1.600.0000frs (increased by 5%)
  • Donations and grants----------------------------------130.000frs (increased by 50%)
  • Registration and membership cards ----------------50.000frs
  • The total income for 2005----------------------------1.855.000frs

The gross expenditure stood as follows:

  • Stationary/secretariat duties------------------------------------175.000frs
  • Training workshop sessions/material gifts-------------------900.000frs
  • Salaries to workers (office/nursery)---------------------------450.000frs
  • Sundry expenses/transportation-------------------------------225.000frs
  • Total expenditure 2005---------------------------------------1.750.000frs
  • Net balance carried for 2006 (with cashier) ------------------105.000frs

Conclusions and Recommendations

Thanks to the increased contribution of shares from members and groups, we achieved our target this year. We do encourage the board to reach out for other sources of income for the association, as well as the need for members to increase shares and contribute early enough for disbursement.

Priority should be focused on better equipping the Centre, as it is gradually serving as a training centre for most meetings and sessions in the Kendem area. There is need for the expansion of the trial and demonstration farm and to raise more seedlings that will be distributed to farmers in due course.

With the launching of the Rumpi project for the development of the South West Province, it would be incumbent for the Association to seek ways of benefiting from their contributions so as to achieve our objectives of reducing poverty in the rural communities. Activities of the Association should expand to other parts of the South West Province. Collaboration with ICRAF may be an important tool to provide Resource Persons during training workshops on tree crops demonstrations.

I would encourage the Board members to keep up with the same spirit, hoping that the budget and planned actions for 2006 will be adopted in serenity and confidence.

I count on your usual collaboration and support.

Humbly submitted by

THE COORDINATOR