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To improve quality, boost output: IRAD, CENEEMA partner to advance modern farming.

by Mercy Fosoh
29 Aug 2026 02:04
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R-L: Dr Noé Woin & Mebande Bate née Ekotto Minkouna brandishing signed agreements

The Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, IRAD, and the National Centre for Studies and Experimentation in Agricultural Mechanisation, CENEEMA, have signed a five-year agreement to modernise agriculture through research, mechanisation and innovative agropastoral techniques.
The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, was signed in Yaounde on August 20, by IRAD Director General, Dr Noé Woin, and CENEEMA Director General, Mebande Bate née Ekotto Minkouna Andrée Mélanie.

According to IRAD, the agreement establishes a general framework for collaboration between the two public institutions.

It is aligned with the agricultural objectives of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030 and the country’s development vision for 2035.

The institute explained that under the partnership, IRAD and CENEEMA will pool human, material and financial resources to improve agricultural production through research and mechanisation.

IRAD added that they will also jointly finance activities carried out by bodies responsible for implementing and monitoring the agreement.

The two institutions, IRAD said, are expected to execute activities planned under the memorandum, comply with the agreed terms and work towards completing the responsibilities assigned to each party.

According to the agricultural institute, CENEEMA will open its facilities to researchers from IRAD and provide them with training.

It will also place its expertise in agricultural mechanisation at the disposal of IRAD, which carries out agricultural research and promotes agricultural development on behalf of the State.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Woin said the partnership would enable both institutions to jointly address challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector.

“There is no doubt that the partnership between IRAD and CENEEMA, officially launched today, will enable us to effectively tackle the many challenges facing our country together. These include the effective implementation of the import-substitution policy,” Dr Woin said.

According to IRAD, the two institutions will work together throughout the five-year period to connect agricultural research with mechanisation.

The arrangement, IRAD said, is also expected to facilitate the introduction of innovative agropastoral techniques into agricultural production.

The agricultural institute furthered that the agreement comes as the government pursues an import-substitution policy aimed at increasing domestic production and reducing dependence on imported products. The policy also seeks to strengthen Cameroon’s food sovereignty and food security.

According to figures cited during the announcement of the partnership, the agropastoral sector employs more than 60 per cent of the population and accounts for between 15 and 20 per cent of Cameroon’s gross domestic product.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3891 of Thursday August 27, 2026