Society

As cocoa prices rise: Manyu Cocoa Farmers Union thank Biya, promise to pay taxes.

Ntufam Tabe Besong Oben Richard, President of Manyu Cocoa Farmers Union cum regent chief of Kembong talking to reporters.

The Manyu Cocoa farmers Union in Manyu Division of the South West Region, has expressed gratitude to the Head of State, Paul Biya, for creating what they say is an enabling environment that has resulted in a historic rise in the price of cocoa.
The association members made their position known during a ceremony in the locality of Ekok, on the border with the neighbouring Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ceremony, staged Saturday July 20, was in preparation of the new cocoa season in the country.

Members of the association used the event to declare their commitment to pay taxes, respect state institutions and sell their dried cocoa beans to Nigeria.

Ntufam Tabe Besong Oben, president of the Manyu Cocoa Farmers Union, while speaking during the event, also expressed gratitude to the South West administration and authorities in Manyu for supporting their activities.

Ntufam Tabe said members of the association are pleased with President Biya, who he said advised young people to invest in agriculture. He said true to the President’s advice, they are reaping the fruits of their labour.

The President said all of them are supporters of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, party who are delighted with the work of government in the interest of farmers.

Tabe said they also work as a team, assisting farmers who have challenges taking their produce to the market and accessing chemicals.

He said the association organised last Saturday’s meeting a follow-up to a similar gathering organised in April this year.

Ntufam Tabe assured that members have been sensitised on the need to respect the guidance of regulatory stakeholders for peace to reign. He also appealed for subvention from the government to ease the burden of buying inputs.

Cocoa farmers brandish banners in show of appreciation to President Biya

Farmers urge youths to drop arms

The farmers used the meeting to call on young people still carrying arms in the bushes to drop their weapons and go to disarmament centres to start a new life.

This, according to Ntufam Tabe, is in line with the appeal of the Head of State. He also drummed massive enrollment on the electoral register.

The Union also asked the Head of State to seek another mandate in the upcoming presidential election. They said thanks to the leadership of President Biya, most of their peers, spread across the North West and South West Regions, are doing well in the cocoa sector.

The Manyu Cocoa Farmers’ Union was created several years ago but was only revived in 2023. The revival of the group is thanks to the celebrated leadership of its current President, Ntufam Tabe, who is also the Regent Chief of Kembong.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3176 of Monday July 22, 2024