At open door day: SOWEDA marvels public with dev’t strides, offers inputs to farmers.

Besides presenting its contribution to the development of the South West Region, the management of the institution used the day to offer inputs to farmers from the six Divisions that make up the Region. The exercise also coincided with the launch of the planting season in the Region.

The Director General of SOWEDA, Dr Besong Ntui Ogork, said the goal was “to propel government action in agriculture and rural development in the South West Region”.  

He described the institution under his control as a lamp lighted by government for the development of the South West Region that cannot put under the table.

Dr Besong Ntui urged members of the public to go beyond the Open Door Day to make use of what SOWEDA offers them. 

“We are ready to welcome more people this year who want to access our activities, services and interventions,” the SOWEDA DG said.

90,000 tonnes seedlings to farmers

He said in 2024, SOWEDA aims to hand out over 90 tonnes of seedlings to farmers across the Region. 

The variety of seedlings to be distributed to farmers, Dr Besong Ntui said, include; maize, cocoa, cassava, plantains, white pepper among others. 

He SOWEDA produces huge consignment of planting materials that are given to the population every planting season.

Introducing white pepper farming in South West

Speaking to the press, Dr Besong Ntui also said they used the exercise of the weekend to introduce white pepper farming to the South West Region. 

The South West Region, he said, has the right agro-ecological zone that supports the cultivation of white pepper.

White pepper, he said, has the potential to empower farmers to earn more with the ability to mobilise more resources from the sale of their products. In this light, he encouraged the farmers to use the inputs judiciously.

Buea DO prescribes resilience

The Divisional Officer, DO, of Buea, Abba Abdouraman, was among visitors who saluted the contribution of SWOEDA to improving the wellbeing of farmers. 

He urged farmers to continue to work hard and remain resilient so as to produce what citizens would consume. This, Abba said, would be in line with the import-substitution policy of the Head of State, Paul Biya.

Beneficiaries laud SOWEDA

One of the beneficiaries of farm inputs, Mbeno William, saluted SOWEDA, stating that, it will boost yields.

“I am very happy with the farm inputs I have received today because they will help all cooperative members improve yields and make more money,” Mbeno said, adding that: “This new variety of maize seedlings and some products to spray our cocoa will help increase our harvest given that the price of cocoa is very high”.

Nkemtambi Pauline, another beneficiary thanked SOWEDA for doing the right thing at the right time. Nkemtambi said the donations will enable farmers to get the best from their farms.