The US Ambassador to Cameroon, Peter Henry Barlerin, paid a working visit to Ngoulemakong, a small town in the Mvila department of the South region, on April 19. The visit was aimed at exploring opportunities in cassava production and processing in the area. Ngoulemakong has a population of around 18,000 inhabitants and is home to the Société coopérative des producteurs de manioc de l’arrondissement de Ngoulemakong (Socooproman), a cooperative of over 1,000 cassava producers.
During his visit, Ambassador Barlerin was accompanied by the Governor of the South region, Félix Nguélé Nguélé. The duo visited some of the cooperative's projects, including a 10-hectare cassava seed farm and the Ngoulemakong Cassava Processing and Marketing Unit (Utracom). The cooperative, which was established in 2008, has been involved in various activities, including production, processing, marketing, and training of its members.
According to Angeline Akoa, Chairperson of the Socooproman, the cooperative has been working to improve the lives of its members through various initiatives. The Utracom project, which was set up to process and market cassava products, is one of the cooperative's key initiatives. The project aims to increase the income of cassava producers in the area and improve their livelihoods.
The visit by Ambassador Barlerin is seen as a significant development in the efforts to boost cassava production and processing in Cameroon. The US government has been working with various organizations in Cameroon to promote agricultural development and improve food security. The ambassador's visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries in the agricultural sector.
Cassava is a major crop in Cameroon, and its production and processing have the potential to contribute significantly to the country's economic growth. However, the sector faces several challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of technical expertise. The Socooproman cooperative is working to address some of these challenges through its various initiatives.
The cooperative's efforts have been recognized by various stakeholders, including the government and international organizations. The visit by Ambassador Barlerin is a testament to the importance of the cooperative's work and the potential for collaboration between Cameroon and the US in the agricultural sector.
The US government's involvement in the cassava sector in Cameroon is expected to bring in new expertise and technology to improve production and processing. This could have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of cassava producers in the country, including those in Ngoulemakong.
Key points
- The US Ambassador to Cameroon, Peter Henry Barlerin, visited Ngoulemakong to explore opportunities in cassava production and processing.
- The Société coopérative des producteurs de manioc de l’arrondissement de Ngoulemakong (Socooproman) cooperative was established in 2008 to promote cassava production and processing.
- The visit is expected to strengthen ties between Cameroon and the US in the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of cassava producers.
