The RVCDP has received 4.5 tons of basic seeds from the Institute for Agricultural Research for Development, IRAD. The seeds which can be planted on about 90 hectares of land, represents 50% of the quantity of basic seeds that IRAD is expected to provide to the RVCDP within a period of three years, as stated in the protocol agreement signed between IRAD and the RVCDP.
In a ceremony chaired by the Deputy Director of IRAD, Dr. Ngome Francis, today, 22nd May 2025 in the premises of IRAD Nkolbison, Yaounde, the representative of the National Coordinator of RVCDP, Mr. FUCHI Thomas, hailed IRAD for respecting the terms of the agreemebt thus far, and called on the farmers to respect the protocols that will be given them by IRAD on how to propagate the seeds, to ensure the quality of the end product.
Dr. NGOME Francis, on his part, reiterated the firm commitment of IRAD to the vision of the RVCDP to work tirelessly towards considerably reducing the importation of rice in the near future. Dr. MISSE Alain Christtian, focal point of the RVCDP in IRAD explained the role of iRAD on the project and the terms of the partnership between the two institutions.
The meeting ended with the symbolic handing over of the basic rice seeds by IRAD to RVCDP in the presence of the Country Representative of the IsDB, main sponsor of the RVCDP, Mr. MOHAMADOU Awal. If well propagated, these 4.5 tons of basic seeds are expected to yield over 350 tons of certified seeds for distribution to farmers for eventual planting.