Some 226 cocoa and coffee farmers in Bangem Sub Division, Kupe Muanenguba of the South West Region, have benefitted from a consignment of farm inputs from the Cocoa and Coffee Development Fund, FODEC.
The distribution ceremony took place on May 17, 2024 at the Divisional Delegation for Agriculture and Rural Development, MINADER, Kupe Muanenguba.
FODEC’s coordinator, Ekome Mbonde Michael regretted that Bangem has never benefited from such an activity.
He said Muongo Division and Melong sub division in particular have been benefiting routinely. “It was due to recent lobbying by a son of the soil, Denise Ngole of Ekanjo Bajoh that the initiative was extended to Bangem.” He added.
According to Ekome, the objectives of this year’s program is to fulfill FODEC’s inputs donation promise to cocoa and coffee farmers in Bangem, create awareness of such opportunity and boost the production of cocoa and coffee in the sub division.
The Coordinator explained that the FODEC project is a three years agreement put in place by the government to reach out to every farmer without an intermediary.
He said the government grants subsidies to farmers by paying a percentage of farm inputs, while farmers pay the rest. He said the payment phases include; 40% government and 60% farmers, 20% government and 80% farmer and 10% government and 90% farmer for the first second and third years respectively.
Concerning the eligibility of farmers, the representative of Ntambeng Cooperative Credit Union Ltd, Fon Christian Che said they must have an account at the cooperative, where they deposit their own part of the finance.
He stated that beneficiary farmers must own a coffee or cocoa farm of one hectare and above.
“When the farmer complies with this, he or she stands the chance to benefit. Let other farmers register at the sub delegate’s office to enjoy these benefits”. Fon added.
The inputs distributed include; bags of fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides and fungicides. Each farmer received six bags of fertilizer, insecticides, pesticides and fungicides.
Speaking to The Ultimate, the sub delegate MINADER, Bangem, Njabe Bridget who supervised the process, thanked FODEC and partners for fulfilling their promise to Bangem.
She said though many farmers accused her of scamming during the sensitization phase, she was elated that the project has been successfully implemented.
Simon Edietah and Esambe Dorothy Mbange, some beneficiary farmers thanked FODEC and all partners for wiping their tears in the midst of price hikes of farm inputs. They promised to effectively apply the products in their farms for increased output.
By Glovise Forsoh
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Exceptional report 💪♥️