Regenerative agriculture: Voice of Nature trains farmers on organic liquid fertiliser production.

This was during a recent seminar in Buea that brought together 52 trainees comprising men, women and youth selected from Bwitingi, Bwiteva and Bokova villages.

Officials said the goal was to help the farmers boost their income in the face of climate change while reducing the destructive practice of shifting cultivation, deforestation and yearly encroachment into the Mount Cameroon National Park, a protected nature reserve.

It was disclosed that the training is part of a long-term project to train and engage 100 smallholder farmers in five adjacent communities to the Mount Cameroon National Park on regenerative agriculture.

The Founder and Executive Director of VoNat, Ndimuh Bertrand Shancho, said the farmers were imparted with knowledge and skills to improve crop yields while protecting the environment.

"Our goal is to train and engage farmers in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices to divert their attention from depleting wildlife habitats and encroachment into the Mount Cameroon National Park," he explained. 

One of the key topics addressed during the training was organic fertilizer production using locally sourced materials like fowl droppings, wood ash, and sunflower. 

Participants were equally schooled on the benefits of using organic fertilizer, especially in including improving soil fertility, crop yields, and reducing environmental degradation. 

Each participant was given a manual on organic fertilizer production. The manual, officials noted, is a guide for smallholder farmers to be able to independently produce and apply organic fertilizers on their farms. 

The Regional Chief for Conservation Promotion and Monitoring at the South West Regional Delegation of Environment, Promotion of Nature and Sustainable Development, Ndifor Gretel Nahsang, praised the initiative.

Ndifor encouraged local people to “participate in activities that help mitigate climate change impacts. We partner with organizations like VoNat to promote sustainable development."

One of the participants, Quinta Saker, said she is happy to have acquired skills in organic liquid fertilizer production. 

Saker said she had heard about it but having acquired knowledge on its production, she will start using it in her garden.

Another trainee, Mangoh Regina, told The Guardian Post that, the knowledge acquired will improve her farming skills. Mango remarked that: "I will definitely apply these new techniques in my farm".

By Ngang Nadege, Journalism student

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3470 of Wednesday June 11, 2025