By Fai Cassian Ndi
Of the several crops introduced to the Ndop
ecological zone, rice has had the most profound impact on the people and the
economy. This is no laughing or joking matter given the quantity of rice served
on tables every morning, at breakfast, afternoon at launch and evening at
dinner. The unwavering attention paid to the cultivation of rice by government
in its second generation agricultural policy and by the local farmers has
transformed the sector into a veritable asset to alleviate poverty and enhance
food security. Its ubiquity and the proportion
of the population engaged in its cultivation are all indices of its importance.
For all practical purposes, the introduction
of large scale farms has had a marked influence on the dietary habits of the people
of Ndop. Apart from extending the variety of food stuffs available to the
people of Ndop, the introduction of these crops have helped in breaking the
myth surrounding crops especially as it was in past considered as the
Whiteman’s preserve and or a food reserve during Christmas. Rice therefore has
been accorded a special social status to the farmers involved in the enterprise.
Created in 1970 with general objectives to
reduce poverty, contribute to food security, and increase agricultural
production and productivity, the Upper Nun Valley Development Authority-UNVDA
is going into records for its strive to improve lives, enhancing food security
and sufficiency in Cameroon . As part of their activities to mark this year’s
World Press Freedom Day, North West journalists grouped under the umbrella the
Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists-CAMASEJ stormed UNVDA
Headquarters to discover the marvels linked to rice production. The 30 journalists who were led by their the
National Vice President of CAMASEJ, Choves Loh and Rose Oba arrived Ndop at
about 10 am and were received by the officials of UNVDA. Instead of dinning and wining, North West journalists were more practical in their choice of embarking on a development venture that would trigger rice cultivation in the region.
Boosting
Productivity
Eco farms |
Harping on some of the major realizations of
the development Authority, the General Manager revealed that UNVDA is currently
working with close to 12,000 farmers. “As at 2014, UNVDA has moved from 2,500
ha of land developed to 3,000 ha out of the potential 15,000ha of marshy land
reserved for rice cultivation”, he continued. “ Two years ago our farmers
produced between 14,000 and 15,000 tons of paddy and now we have about 16,000
tons (in stock) which shows that we have stepped up from about 04 tons per ha
to 5.5 tons worth of paddy rice”. According to the General Manager of UNVDA,
Chin Richard Winkar, during the 2013 harvest for instance, paddy purchase was
4,730 tons as against 2,696 tons purchase in 2012.
On the other hand, Jacob Ndichia who
accompanied journalists to the rice fields said that close to 3000 ha of land
have been rehabilitated for rice production. Besides, he also revealed that
mechanized agriculture is given that UNVDA is putting 16 tractors at the
disposal of farmers as well as qualified extension workers, quality seeds and
farm inputs. Implicitly, with mechanized system, one hectare of land will
require just about 20 kilograms of seed as compared to 35 kilograms when it is
done manually. Moreso, the introduction of upland rice production is also expected
to increase rice production. The development of farms to market roads, the
rehabilitation of the dams and water canals in the farms and plots have
impacted on rice production.
Serving
Quality Products to Consumers
stock of paddy rice |
Chin Emmanuel Winkar says these successes
have been registered given the acquisition of modern and new equipment such as
the combined planter/harvester, the modernization of the rice mill which has
been existed for the past 30 years. The availability of a rice mill with the
capacity of processing 3.5 tons per hour and introduction of two cropping
seasons will increase production tremendously. In mitigating climate change,
UNVDA according to its General Manager has also introduced ecological farming
systems thanks to its collaboration with Eco-Farms Cameroon. This partnership
with ECO-farms which stands for Ecological Conscious Farming, according to the
management is currently working with a team from Brazil that also deals in rice
cultivation.
Challenges
ready to consume rice |
However, rice farmers are of the opinion that
UNVDA needs to revise its input supply programme given that they prices are the
same with market prices. Notwithstanding, an official debunked the accusation,
adding that UNVDA gives out inputs to farmers on credit; interest free whereas in the market they pay cash. Mami Christina a farmer in Bamuka Ndp appreciated the reforms in UNVDA. To her, gone-by are the days that they use to
give their produce to UNVDA and wait for months before payment is made. "I can gladly tell you that things have changed, our live-styles too. I am able to pay school fees for my kids, hospital bills and even save something at the end of every harvest. In the past it was hand to mouth but today we are gradually into business", she concluded.
Yet perspectives are high at UNVDA expanding the rice farms from 3000 ha to 7000 ha by 2016. Chin Richard says this will include the introduction of upland rice farming/ rain –fed rice which will enable farmers to move from “rooms” to large scale cultivation so as to facilitate land preparation. Speculations as to why this initiative has not reached the Mbaw Plain and Ako in Donga Mantung Division whereas the area also habours good potentials that are suitable for rice farming.
give their produce to UNVDA and wait for months before payment is made. "I can gladly tell you that things have changed, our live-styles too. I am able to pay school fees for my kids, hospital bills and even save something at the end of every harvest. In the past it was hand to mouth but today we are gradually into business", she concluded.
Yet perspectives are high at UNVDA expanding the rice farms from 3000 ha to 7000 ha by 2016. Chin Richard says this will include the introduction of upland rice farming/ rain –fed rice which will enable farmers to move from “rooms” to large scale cultivation so as to facilitate land preparation. Speculations as to why this initiative has not reached the Mbaw Plain and Ako in Donga Mantung Division whereas the area also habours good potentials that are suitable for rice farming.
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