Fallout of Anglophone Crisis:

Gov’t Laments Disastrous Drop in Cocoa Production in SW Region

-Tasks new SODECAO management to boost production

By Deng Eric in Yaounde

Gov’t Laments Disastrous Drop in Cocoa Production in SW Region

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Henri Eyebe Ayissi has challenged newly appointed officials of the Cameroon Cocoa Development Corporation, SODECAO to do all it takes to increase cocoa production in the country.

             He made the call at the SODECAO headquarters in Yaounde on 13 August 2018 while commissioning into office Ngba Zacharie, Eko’o Akouafane Jean Claude and Enang James Enang as board chairman, director general and deputy director general respectively. The three officials were appointed to the helm of the institution by a decree of the president of the republic on 24 July 2018.

            “You have to ensure an increase in the land surface for cocoa production in the country; carryout a complete rehabilitation of cocoa farms belonging to SODECAO and create new ones, as well as relaunch support to cocoa producer cooperatives as a relay strategy to boost production,” Ayebe told the new officials.

            With government’s plan to increase cocoa production to 600.000tons between 2020 and 2025, the Minister said the country is on a good footing to attain this objective given the number of actions already carried out in 2018. He however regretted that despite the huge potentials Cameroon has in terms of cocoa, the ageing cocoa farms and the sometimes poor quality produce which does not meet international standards has not permitted farmers to earn better incomes in recent times coupled with price fluctuation in the cocoa market.

            Minister Eyebe Ayissi harped on the fact the production of cocoa moved from 200.000tons to 240.000 between 2010 and 2016. The production capacity presently stands at almost 300.000tons with one hectare of land producing 450kg.

            He went further to say production has been seriously affected by different factors especially the crisis in the South West region, one of the major cocoa production zones in the country.

The minister underscored the need for the new management of SODECAO to ensure better collaboration with partner institutions, cocoa farmers and economic operators.

            He urged the management to employ dialogue, consultation and good practices that can contribute to the country’s economic development.

            A call for total collaboration among all workers of the corporation was made by the agriculture boss who at the same time promised government and his personal support to the success of its actions.

            Retired Senior Treasury Inspector, Ngba Zacharie, Senior Civil Administrator Eko’o Akouafane Jean Claude and Agriculture Engineer, Enang James Enang have all promised to put in all their efforts to boost the cocoa sector in the country so as to merit the confidence bestowed on them by the Head of State.

“We have set out priorities and in the days ahead, we are going to carry out an administrative and technical audit which will help us know how to better manage the corporation,” the new general manager said.