Cameroon's First International Cassava Festival Launches in Douala

The governor of Cameroon's Littoral region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, officially launched the first edition of the "All Kassava" festival on November 4. The event, scheduled to take place from November 11 to 16, 2024, will be held at the Maison du parti de Bonanjo in Douala. The festival aims to promote cassava cultivation and valorize its economic potential, with the goal of combating food insecurity.

The festival is sponsored by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Minader) and will showcase cassava's various uses, from food to industrial applications. Cassava is a versatile crop, with its root and leaves being consumed in over 30 different ways. It is used in various sectors, including food processing, chemical, cosmetic, and brewing industries. The tuber's potential for import substitution makes it a significant product in Cameroon's economic policy.

Yvette Doume, president of the festival's organizing committee and the non-governmental organization Fadec (Femme, action et développement au Cameroun), explained that the event aims to raise awareness among stakeholders about cassava's benefits. The festival will highlight the crop's advantages and derivatives, with a focus on promoting its economic potential. By valorizing cassava, the event hopes to contribute to Cameroon's food security and economic development.

The "All Kassava" festival is seen as a platform for stakeholders to discuss and explore opportunities for cassava production and marketing. The event will bring together various actors from the agricultural sector, including farmers, processors, and policymakers. By promoting cassava cultivation and use, the festival aims to support Cameroon's agricultural development and improve food security.

Cameroon's agricultural sector has been working to promote the production and processing of cassava, a crop considered well-suited to the country's climate and soil conditions. The festival's organizers hope that the event will help to increase awareness and interest in cassava production, leading to increased production and economic benefits for farmers and the country as a whole.

The Littoral region, where the festival is being held, is one of Cameroon's key agricultural production areas. The region's favorable climate and access to markets make it an ideal location for cassava production. By promoting cassava cultivation and use, the festival aims to support the region's economic development and improve food security.

The "All Kassava" festival will provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services related to cassava production and processing. The event will also feature discussions and debates on issues related to cassava production, marketing, and trade. By bringing together stakeholders from across the sector, the festival aims to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Key points

• The festival aims to promote cassava cultivation and valorize its economic potential to combat food insecurity.