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Agriculture

Background

Cameroon, like many African countries south of the Sahara, possesses vast agricultural potential that remains largely untapped, despite over 60 percent of the population being engaged in agricultural activities. The challenges faced by poor peasant farmers in accessing resources and sustainable farming practices have hindered the realization of this potential. Historically, shifting cultivation and fallow systems were the norm, aimed at improving soil fertility and yields. However, with the population surge in Cameroon from 7.7 million in the 70s to over 20 million in 2020, the resulting land pressure has led to overuse of land, causing a decline in soil fertility and productivity. In response, farmers have resorted to heavy use of chemical fertilizers and environmentally damaging slash-and-burn systems, exacerbating the situation.

Intervention Strategy

In an effort to address these challenges, SHUMAS has established an impactful agricultural program aimed at empowering poor peasant farmers. The program includes:

  • Establishment of the SHUMAS Integrated Organic Farm, Training, Production, and Demonstration Center in Kumbo Sub-division, Bui Division of the North-West Region. This center provides comprehensive training on climate-smart agriculture to unemployed youths, women, and leaders of poor peasant farming communities, offering long-term courses (10 months to two years) and short-term courses (ranging from one day to one month).
  • Provision of start-up capital of 1,500,000 FCFA or start-up materials to facilitate the establishment of individual farms.
  • Provision of farm inputs such as improved seeds, livestock breeds, labor-saving devices, processing equipment, and post-harvest handling devices.

Objective

Contribute to increasing food security and ending hunger among poor peasant farmers and unemployed youths through long and short-term training courses on integrated sustainable organic agriculture, supporting them with micro-credits and materials to establish their own farms.

Achievements

  • Trained and settled more than 14,000 poor peasant farming women and unemployed youths through long and short-term courses on Integrated Organic Agriculture, providing them with start-up materials and capital of 300,000 FCFA each.
  • Trained about 250 unemployed youths on Agro-pastoral activities and settled them with start-up capital of 1,500,000 FCFA to enable them to establish their own farms.
  • Provided farm inputs, tools, and labor-saving devices to 1,500 poor peasant farmers to enhance their agricultural productivity.
  • Through the feed production unit at SHUMAS BIOFARM, livestock farmers were supplied with poultry and pig feed at a very low cost.
  • Trained 400 FIOH (Future in Our Hands) women on sheep and pig production, providing a start-up of 20 tons of pig feed, 200 piglets, and 200 ewes.

Challenges

  • The pro-poor nature of the training makes it difficult for trainees to pay their registration fees.
  • Limited funds hinder the program's ability to reach out to more individuals in need.
     

GALLERY

(Different vegetables harvested from the SHUMAS BioFarm)

 

 

(Work on farm with tracktor)

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