Innovation Fund

Preparatory mission for ProDIDeDZR project

The team of the project for the dissemination of innovations for sustainable development in rural areas (ProDIDeDZR) in Cameroon was deployed from January 31 to February 13, 2024 in five (05) arrondissements, including two in the Centre region and two in the West region of Cameroon. ProDIDeDZRi s a third-party project of PRICNAC.

This mission aimed to achieve three results:

  • Project stakeholders are consulted;
  • Project sustainability challenges are identified (one of the recommendations of the synergies workshop held in Douala from September 27 to 29, 2023);
  • Relevant women’s and youth organizations likely to participate in project activities are identified.

In each locality, stakeholders were consulted. Fifteen (15) community-based organizations (Associations, GIC etc), local administrations (Délégué d’arrondissement de l’agriculture, chef de poste agricole and maire) and the IRAD research institute. Focus groups were organized with 07 women’s associations and one mixed association. Individual interviews were conducted with 18 leaders, including 08 men and 10 women. “Gambé Tikar is recognized as the largest maize production basin in central Cameroon, with a capacity of over 50,000 t/year, 11,000 maize growers and low yields (1.5 t/ha)”[1].

Techniques are rudimentary and environmentally destructive. Intensive use of bush fires, abusive use of phytosanitary products (herbicides). Maize growing is a tradition in the area and is “sometimes done to escape shame, as everyone must have their own maize field”[2]. The population does not use chemical fertilizers or improved seeds. No knowledge of innovations (biopesticides, biofertilizers). Corn cobs and stalks are very abundant in this production basin. At the end of the season, these residues are piled up and burned, as are the stalks by bush fires. These factors, combined with the strong commitment of the women, make Ngambé-Tikar a favorable location for ProDIDeDZR. The abundant agricultural waste will be put to good use for experiments in myciculture and biochar.

The sustainability challenges are enormous, and activities will need to be implemented in such a way as to address them effectively. Myciculture requires equipment that will have to be put in place to facilitate the continued valorization of corn cobs beyond the duration of the project. The involvement of government bodies (administration and town councils) ensures effective follow-up and the integration and capitalization of lessons learned and experience acquired during training courses over the years. At the end of the mission, four clusters were selected for project implementation.

  • The Gambé-Tikar cluster, with two main target associations (Gah women’s association, Yindji women’s association),
  • The Foumbot cluster, with the GIC Agro FESOBA,
  • The Ntui cluster with the women of SOCONTUI.

[1] Abanda Elie Délégué d’arrondissement de l’Agriculture à Gambé-Tikar

[2] Déclaration du maire de Gambé-Tikar