As part of PULCCA project: CDENO trains, equips 600 NW farmers on honey production, fish farming.

The distribution process took place in the presence of North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique. 

Also present was the Director General of North West Livestock Development Fund, CDENO, Shupong Michael. 

The distribution, which is in its 6th edition, is under the Emergency Project to Combat Food Crisis in Cameroon, PULCCA, sponsored by the World Bank, through the government of Cameroon.

During the distribution exercise, 300 producers of fish in ponds benefited from hand nets, digital PH meters, Aquatic thermometers, Seines, Tilapia/clarias fingerlings, and clarias feed.

Each beneficiary present received one hand net, a Digital PH meter, one Aquatic thermometer, a Seine (landing nets), 500 Tilapia/Clarias fingerlings and 15 bags of Clarias feed (2mm,4mm of 45%, 15kg).

Other 300 beneficiaries from the honey sector each received five Kenyan hives, five Iron hive support, one Bee keeping suit, one stainless steel smoker, a Portable gaz torch, a pair of new keeping gloves, a pair of boots, two 20L of plastic food bucket, three 20L honey packaging container, and five beehive tubes.

Before handing the items to the beneficiaries, they were trained by experts on sustainable fish culture in ponds and enterprise development, and sustainable honey production techniques to ensure efficient use of the equipment and inputs.

The initiative is expected to solve the problem of honey and fish importation in the North West Region and Cameroon at large, by making available quality and quantity honey and fish in the markets.

Beneficiaries urged to make use of donations 

While handing over the equipment to the beneficiaries, authorities challenged them to multiply fish and honey farming in the Region, by making them available in the markets and at affordable prices. 

According to the Director General of CDENO, Shupong Michael, the efficiency of the initiative will help curb the growing level of food crisis in the North West Region and Cameroon at large.

“These items will enable you boost the production and productivity of fishery and honey products in the North West Region; by making available enough fish and honey in the market at moderate prices in order to ameliorate food crisis in the North West Region. This will equally have a positive impact on the living standards of your families. I therefore recommend the efficient use of these inputs that will be given to you today in order to meet the expected objective of the PULCCA project and the government policy on import substitution,” Shupong said.

Shupong, in an interview after the exercise, revealed that the feedback from beneficiaries in the communities is marvelous. 

He emphasised that the institution and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, are available to further assist the farmers; in case they face challenges in the implementation.

On his part, North West Governor, Adolphe Lele, thanked the farmers for their efforts in fighting food crisis, and also for their efforts in promoting peace in their communities.

“I urge you to make good use of these equipment and input, this will likely increase the production of fish and honey, in the region, and its availability in the market at moderate prices to meet up with the objectives of the PULCCA project to combat food crisis in Cameroon,” Governor Lele said.

He equally thanked the World Bank for coming through the government, to assist especially the population of the North West Region, who he said have been suffering from the over nine-year armed conflict.

Beneficiaries promised to multiply yields 

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ndichambere Isobel, a honey producer, and Ful Henry, fish farmer from Boyo Division, assured authorities and the population of the Region that they are going to increase productivity and make available quality and affordable honey and fishes for consumers.

“We thank CDENO for the training they have given to farmers like us. We are promising the administration that as we are leaving here today, we are going to start immediately to do the work, and we’re hoping that in few months to come, we’re not going to go out of the region to look for fish,” Ful said.

Ndichambere, on his part, said: “I am thanking the Head of State for the love and concern he has for Cameroonians, especially those from the North West Region. I am here to tell the PULCCA team that this is a project that will change our lives. It’s a sustainable project that will stay on even to benefit our children and families. We are not going to keep these materials, we will make sure that we improve in the honey industry to see that we no longer import honey,” said.

As the distribution phase of various inputs and equipment to livestock farmers by CDENO, under the PULCCA project comes to an end, the Director General, Shupong Michael, revealed that the project has so far assisted 900 poultry farmers, 300 pig farmers, 300 ruminant farmers, 300 milk producers, and 600 fish farmers in all seven Divisions of the Region.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3520 of Friday August 01, 2025