Adamawa: Elite plants trees in Bankim to protect environment, boost economy.

The trees were planted recently. This was in the company of some administrative and security officers.

The initiative, according to Mandap Théa, aims to strengthen the city's plant cover and develop an economy based on the extraction of neem oil.

“I initiated this project following the storms of February-March 2024 in Bankim, which left several inhabitants homeless. This is my contribution as elite of the region. For the moment, it concerns Bankim and the surrounding area. We will see how we can extend this heartfelt gesture to the entire area,” Mandap Théa.

According to him, the project equally seeks to protect nature which is increasingly exposed to the violent winds as a result of climate change witnessed round the world in recent years.

He believes that Bankim needs to protect itself more than ever before and his action as well as other initiatives, such as the reforestation project led by the Tikar teachers will play a great role in Bankim's vegetation cover. 

He noted that before the trees were planted, in May 2024, he had empowered youth on the importance of the agricultural sector in the development of their town and the country as a whole.

“Rice cultivation is a good lever for the import-substitution policy advocated by the state of Cameroon. The obstacle is the lack of support structures like IRAD. If we could set up an IRAD branch at Nyamboya, which is the crossroads of Bankim, that would be a good thing,” he suggested. 

The land, he stated, is still very fertile and rich and the rice cultivated on it is beneficial to Nigeria more, since it borders the area to the Mambila mountains, situated over a distance of 35 km. 

According to Mandap Théa, with the help Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from the North West Region now residing in Bankim, they have been able to change the habits of the people for the better. 

“They have helped the local population to intensify initiatives, process their raw materials, such as cassava and rice. They have been able to create an economy based on a multitude of small individual initiatives. So, as such I decided to introduce neem oil production with the planting of neem trees in Bankim,” Mandap Théa said.

He said this will not only help to protect the environment but also bring money once the trees are matured.

Neem oil, he explained, is reputed to be very bitter, but very nutritious as it cures chronic diseases such as diabetes. 

According to him, the oil is in great demand in the country and thanks to the number of neem trees planted, he is certain the quantities after extraction will undoubtedly boost the national and even international supply.

According to economic operators, a litre of neem oil varies from town to town. The precious oil is sold at 7,000 FCFA a litre in Ngaoundere and 10,000 FCFA in cities like Yaounde and Douala.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3203 of Monday August 19, 2024