FCFA to Support Young Farmers

Farmer associations in Yaounde received FCFA 20 million of the package Last Thursday.

The government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has disbursed FCFA 116 million to assist locally-based youths involved in agricultural activities in the country. The money is geared towards improving on the working conditions of the young farmers, acquisition of farm inputs as well as the promotion of small mechanisation.

Speaking during the launching of the distribution of the government assistance in Yaounde last Thursday April 8, 2010, during which 20 farmer organisations in the Centre bagged FCFA 1 million each, the Secretary General in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Eko’o Akouafane Jean Claude, said the money is part of government’s support to projects that can create employment to fight poverty and boost economic development. The money was distributed within the framework of a project piloted by the Ministry code-named, “Support Programme for the settlement of young farmers (PAIJA). Through the programme, government selects, supports, supervises and follows up youths involved in agro-pastoral activities in their areas. According to the national coordinator of the project, Nkoulou Martial, the beneficiaries went through thorough screening before being selected and rigour would be employed to ensure that the purpose for which the funds are disbursed is attained. So far, pilot centres have been created in the South, Adamawa, South West and Centre Regions.

Some of the beneficiaries described the gesture as a new dawn for them and their associations promising to do all to ensure that the money boosts their activities so that they can live and let others live.