To transform agriculture: Stakeholders map ways to ensure efficient seed system in Cameroon.

The workshop was under the theme: “Towards an efficient seed system and the scaling up of high-performance technologies for the transformation of agriculture in Cameroon”.

It was organised by Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation, TAAT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation; the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, IRAD; and the African Agricultural Leadership Institute, AALI.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Monday October 21, TAAT Country Engagement Officer and Central Africa Regional Coordinator, Dr Christopher Suh, said the purpose of the gathering was to listen to stakeholders on the different challenges they have in Cameroon on the seed system.

“From the challenges we are going to gather, which the stakeholders will present, we are going to propose solutions that can be used to overcome these challenges, so that the seed system in Cameroon could be strengthened and then the productivity of the rural farmer should be doubled by the end of 2025,” he said.

Dr Suh added that: “In transforming African agriculture, we are using technologies that are available at the international agricultural research institutes and national research institutes. There are some technologies that are being kept in the shelves or are found only in these research institutes. So, our aim in TAAT is to take out these technologies to the common man who can use them effectively and with that we double our productivity”. 

“For example, we cannot be using local seeds when we want to double productivity. Local seeds that give two tons per hectare, but there are improved seeds that give five times that amount. So why continue using local seeds that cannot produce well? We also have other technologies that help in fighting against diseases which are readily found, but they are biologically friendly to the environment,” he noted.

Strengthening partnership for accelerated agricultural transformation

On his part, AALI Country Advisory Services Director, Prof David Bugeme Mugisho, said the objectives of the workshop were to establish and strengthen the partnership between the TAAT programme and the government's initiatives for accelerated agricultural transformation. 

“From this point of view, this workshop aimed to: identify interventions that the TAAT programme could bring to current and future agricultural transformation initiatives requiring high performance technologies and best practices to increase the productivity of smallholder farmers in Cameroon,” Prof Bugeme said.

He added that it was also to “bring together representatives of stakeholders in agricultural development in Cameroon to reflect together on strategies for developing an improved and efficient seed system at the national level”.

As far as expected results are concerned, he mentioned “exchange and sharing of experiences on the seed system in, both at national level, but also regional and sub-regional organisations of which Cameroon is a member, with the aim of improving the regulations of its seed system; and to carry out advocacy work likely to encourage the effective implementation of seed system regulations in Cameroon and in regional and sub-regional organisations, and to ensure their dissemination”.

Meanwhile, Dr Francis Ngome, Deputy Director General of IRAD, representing the Director General, Dr Noe Woin, said the dialogue between the stakeholders will diagnose Cameroon’s seed system and identify the technologies that will lead to agricultural transformation.

He said Cameroon has a substantial amount of arable land which, if properly exploited, will enable it to limit its food imports. 

“It is for this reason that the African Development Bank, to whom we are constantly grateful, has set itself the task of meeting certain challenges linked to agricultural production, through the TAAT Programme. The TAAT programme aims to help the African continent realise its potential by using high-impact technologies to boost agricultural production,” he said. 

Dr Ngome added that: “As a result, the role of IRAD, the State's secular arm in terms of agricultural research for development, is crucial in verifying these technologies, which are gradually being introduced and popularised”.

Strong seed policy crucial to develop agriculture

He emphasised that a strong seed policy is crucial to the development of a country's agriculture.

This, he said, is because it must: “Contribute to improving food security by providing quality seeds to guarantee stable and sustainable food production and strengthen food sovereignty, increase productivity by providing high-performance seeds that enable farmers to increase their yields, reduce dependence on imports and protect biodiversity, respectively through local seed production, reducing dependence on imports and promoting the conservation and use of local genetic resources”.

He said it must also to “create economic opportunities by generating jobs and income, and promote regional integration through cooperation between countries; and promote competitiveness with seeds that are adapted to local conditions, while improving climate resilience through their resistance or tolerance to climate change”.

“Thus, an effective national seed policy must be based on scientific research, involve local stakeholders (farmers, companies, communities), take into account the specific needs of agro-ecological zones and crops, be in line with agricultural and economic policies, and be regularly evaluated and updated,” Dr Ngome stated.

Representing the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, the Technical Adviser No 1 at the ministry, Prof Eddy Ngonkeu, stated that the workshop is in line with the government’s resolve to boost the seed sector in order to transform the country’s agriculture.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3268 of Wednesday October 23, 2024