SOWEDA offers over 27M FCFA-worth inputs, equipment to cocoa, tomato farmer groups.

Beneficiaries received items like insecticides, fungicides, push trucks, sprayers, and organic and inorganic fertilisers for them to be able to increase yields.

For cocoa specific inputs, 30 producer organisations from all the six Divisions of the region; five from Fako, four from Kupe-Muanenguba, six from Manyu, five from Lebialem, six from Meme and five from Ndian Division. 

Each group benefited 310 sachets of fungicides, 17 litres of insecticide, two watering cans, one push truck, one sprayer and a cutlass. 

In terms of tomato, 30 tomato farmers from Fako Division from localities like Tiko, Tole, Limbe, Muea, Bonadikombo, Ekona and Wututu received inputs with the goal to enable them increase their technical capacities on how to produce tomato for the second cropping season.

Addressing beneficiaries during the ceremony, the Director of Administration and Finance at SOWEDA, Baloko Benson, said the institution was accompanying producer organisations with the donations, while also technically showcasing the recommended inputs to be used by farmers. 

“It is important to know that inputs are an essential component for improved yields in crop production,” he said. 

He explained that the items donated to cocoa farmers cost the institution over 22 million FCFA, while the tomato inputs cost 5 million FCFA. 

He explained that SOWEDA would not only end at the level of donation, but will do follow-up field inspections to some selected producer organisations to assess the rational use of these inputs and other items donated by SOWEDA. 

Speaking to the press after the donation, Teba Abel Kemba, the Sub Director of Crop Production, said the donation was a routine activity of SOWEDA to accompany the farmers to able to increase their standard of production and get a better living condition. 

He explained that the organic manure would boost the soil texture; ensuring farmers can get the right returns for their investments. 

Fidel EpieZitani, one of the beneficiaries, on his part, said the inputs would help boost his production as a cocoa farmer. 

He said the donation of the sprayer and chemicals will help him fight blight and other diseases that attack his cocoa farms. He promised to share his knowledge and inputs with other farmers.

Meanwhile, Nana, a beneficiary tomato farmer, commended SOWEDA for the donation given that he was receiving it for the second time to use on his tomato farm. He promised to use the inputs judiciously to get the same result like during the last farming season. He said the inputs from SOWEDA had boosted his production capacity and subsequently his revenues.

While symbolically handing over the items to the beneficiaries, Baloko Benson encouraged them to use judiciously. He promised that experts from SOWEDA are always available to listen and address the farmers’ queries about the use of the inputs given to them. 

“What we are giving to you are not enough. When you go back to the market, do not go and buy other products. Buy exactly the recommended products or inputs that we have given,” he told them. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3615 of Tuesday November 04, 2025