The General Manager of the North West Development Authority (MIDENO), Cletus Anye Matoya, has reiterated his organization’s commitment to addressing food insecurity in Cameroon, particularly in the conflict-affected North West Region. Speaking during the launch of the Emergency Project to Combat Food Crisis in Cameroon (PULCCA) in Bamenda, the General Manager emphasized the pivotal role MIDENO will play in restoring food security for vulnerable communities.
The PULCCA project, launched by Cameroon’s Minister of Agriculture, Gabriel Mbaïrobe, is a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the country’s worsening food crisis. The program will target six regions severely affected by conflict and displacement, including the North West, South West, Adamawa, Far North, North, and East. MIDENO, one of the executing agencies of PULCCA, is responsible for implementing a critical component of the project in the North West Region.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of MIDENO admitted that food crisis is becoming a matter of urgency in the North West region. He explained that through PULCCA, MIDENO is committed to providing the much-needed support to farmers and agri-food processors. Over the next two years, MIDENO is expected to deliver essential tools, seeds, and agricultural inputs to more than 10,700 farmers, 60% of whom are women.
According to the Minister of agriculture, the urgency of the PULCCA project stems from the escalating food crisis across the country. Factors such as the Boko Haram insurgency, inter-ethnic conflicts, climate change, and the economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war have left 10% of the population facing acute food insecurity. Minister Mbaïrobe explained that over three million people are at risk, with over 113,000 facing emergency levels of hunger if urgent action is not taken.
In the North West Region, MIDENO is tasked with implementing Component 2.1 of the PULCCA project, which focuses on supporting food production for small-scale farmers. For the next two years, MIDENO will oversee the distribution of basic agricultural inputs, including improved seeds for crops such as cassava, potato, maize, plantains, and vegetables. The project's ambitious goal is to empower local farmers to produce sustainable and climate-resilient food.
MIDENO's efforts will also include capacity building for at least 8,000 beneficiaries, ensuring they adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to strengthen their resilience to climate change. Additionally, the authority will work to integrate 1,000 female refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) into local farming organizations. The focus on women reflects a conscious effort to bolster food security while promoting social cohesion in the region.
Minister
Gabriel Mbaïrobe speaking in Bamenda
Minister Mbaïrobe praised the PULCCA initiative as an essential part of government's broader efforts to rebuild conflict-affected regions.
"The PULCCA project aims to mitigate the short-term impact of food insecurity while also laying the foundation for long-term economic and climate resilience," the Minister said adding that "Through our partnerships with agencies like MIDENO, we are not only supporting immediate food needs but also ensuring that future generations can thrive in sustainable agricultural systems."
The launch of PULCCA in Bamenda coincided with the start of crucial distributions to farmers. Over 1,500 cassava farmers will receive thousands of cutting kits, while potato farmers will benefit from the provision of fertilizers and other inputs. The distribution of 351,600 plantain plantlets and 4,350 vegetable seed kits has also commenced, all part of a broader effort to equip farmers for the upcoming planting seasons.
As part of the project’s scope, MIDENO has acquired and begun distributing 45 power tillers to assist with food crop production, while 57 kits have been earmarked for cereal farmers. This mechanization of agriculture is a significant leap forward for many small-scale farmers in the region, who have long relied on traditional farming methods.
Through this extensive operation, MIDENO aims to uplift the most vulnerable households, using a targeted approach that prioritizes areas with the highest levels of food insecurity. Geographical, community, and household targeting will ensure that the resources reach those most in need.
The stakes are high, and the need for sustained intervention is clear. With over 265,000 vulnerable individuals in Cameroon expected to benefit from PULCCA, and MIDENO playing a vital role in the North West Region, the success of this initiative could have far-reaching impacts on the region’s stability and prosperity. General Manager Matoya’s commitment to ensuring that these goals are met is a sign of hope for the thousands of farmers who have endured years of conflict and food shortages.
For the North West Region, MIDENO's efforts offer a pathway toward recovery in a landscape deeply scarred by conflict. Hilltopvoices Newspaper has gathered that the project is funded by the World Bank, the Government of Cameroon and other financial partners of the government.
By Bakah Derick
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