Sweet taste of success for cocoa farmers

The village of Ngat in Cameroon has become a training centre for the production of cocoa seedlings following a successful Plan project to improve farming and marketing techniques and raise household incomes.

Although the soil in the area is fertile and rainfall abundant, agricultural productivity in Ngat was low prior to the project, and so was school enrollment. In a meeting with Plan in 2007, the community discussed the obstacles they faced, including high post-harvest losses and poor marketing of their farm products.

In collaboration with the local agricultural ministry, the community and Plan designed and implemented a farmer field school. Thirty local farmers enrolled to receive full training in the production and marketing of cocoa, and 1,500 seedlings were provided to start a new farm.

Demonstration plots were established where new plant varieties and farming techniques could be tried, with training sessions held at each stage of the crop cycle.

Model farm

Now, Ngat has become a local model for the production not only of cocoa seedlings, but also coffee and palms, and is a major attraction for farmers from nearby communities keen to learn new techniques.

Richard, one of the farmers who took part in the project, said: “I now train the farmers who could not take part in the initial training. I am already an expert in the production of cocoa. In addition, the method that we use allows for protecting the environment.”

Another group member, Mark, added: “The project has changed our way of cultivating cocoa. We spend less money and get better results. The savings mean I can send my children to school.”