Adamawa: IRAD board hails wheat, maize, soybean seed fields as backbone of import-substitution.

They were accompanied by IRAD Director General, Dr Noé Woin, and the Head of the Wakwa Centre, Dr Venasius Lendzemo.

The delegation visited sites in Wassandé, Wakwa, Mbang-Mboum and Dori, where large-scale plots of wheat, maize and soybean are under cultivation. According to IRAD officials, the fields form part of Cameroon’s drive to increase local seed supply and reduce reliance on imports.

Over 300 hectares under cultivation

Figures released during the visit show that IRAD has put in place 200 hectares of wheat at Wassandé, out of a planned 250 hectares for the 2025 season. In addition, 40 hectares of soybean have been cultivated across Wakwa, Wassandé and Mbang-Mboum, while 75 hectares of maize have been planted in Mbang-Mboum, Dori and Wassandé.

“These plots are dedicated to producing certified seed to support farmers across Cameroon,” Dr Lendzemo explained.

He noted that the wheat varieties being tested include B100, IRAD 1, IRAD 2, KENIRAD 3 and KENIRAD 4.

The Adamawa Region already provides 95 percent of the country’s wheat seeds, according to IRAD data, making it the central base for the cereal.

Enter IRAD officials 

At the close of the inspection, the Board president of IRAD, Prof Nnanga Nga, underlined the results observed in the fields, noting that the results show import-substitution is effective at IRAD.

“We visited seed fields of wheat, soybean and maize and realised this is a reality. IRAD supports farmers by giving seeds, by showing methods of cultivation and by demonstrating how they can produce in large quantity to sell on the market,” he said.

Prof Nnanga added that IRAD’s work was directly aligned with national policy.

“We are carrying out the action of the Head of State who speaks of import-substitution. IRAD is producing seeds, and the institution should also set up production units to show industrialists that they can adopt this technology,” he noted.

On his part, IRAD Director General, Dr Noé Woin, emphasised the strategic importance of Adamawa in the organisation’s seed multiplication programme.

“For the past 50 years, experiments in Adamawa have proved that more than 95 per cent of Cameroon’s crops perform better in this region. Because of insecurity in the North West and South West, most basic seeds now come from Adamawa,” Dr Noé Woin said.

He added that: “Wheat is expanding to more than 200 hectares, with maize, rice and soybean also under multiplication. These seeds are then distributed to production zones nationwide and to other African regions”. 

According to Dr Woin, the concentration of researchers and geneticists in Adamawa allows the institute to coordinate seed production and spread the results to other areas.

The administrators underlined that Adamawa’s seed fields now play a central role in the national strategy for food self-sufficiency. With wheat positioned as a flagship crop, supported by maize, soybean and other staples, IRAD’s Adamawa research centre has become the country’s main base for seed multiplication.

Visit to research lab, new equipment

The Board members also inspected IRAD’s reinforced research laboratory at Wakwa, where scientists are working on genetic improvement and agricultural innovations.

The visit included the presentation of newly acquired tractors and equipment purchased under the special wheat subsidy programme. The machinery will support large-scale mechanisation and facilitate seed multiplication in the region.

The inspection concluded with a reaffirmation of the Board’s confidence in IRAD’s ability to deliver improved seeds for cereals and legumes. Other staple crops such as cassava and beans, as well as forage species like Brachiaria, are also being multiplied at Wakwa to support the food chain.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3569 of Friday September 19, 2025