The Rice Value Chain Development Project launched its inaugural one-month training session on rice seed production, bringing together experts and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector. The program, which will convene different groups each week, started with Ndop A group this week. Held at the Pastoral Center Up station, Bamenda, the training covered critical topics over its first three days. Renowned facilitators from the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), including Research Agronomist Mr. Alain Christian, Dr. Funcha Felix, and other experts, led the sessions. Participants included Mr. Ismael Cheofor, Chief of Antenna for the North West Region and representative of the RVCDP; Madam Munji Victorine, Chief of Center at IRAD Bambui, and Mr. Ndimuangu John, Regional Delegate for Agriculture and Rural Development for the North West Region.
The training covered issues bordering on quality seeds, paddy seed production, crop management, water management, weeding out weedy rice, post-production activities, and farmer field schools. With a bold vision to increase rice production by 750,000 tons by 2030, the RVCDP aims to enhance food security, create employment opportunities, and support farmers. This initiative is poised to empower farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive growth and prosperity in Cameroon’s agricultural sector.This training will equip the farmers with the knowledge they need to farm rice in perfect quality and great quantity, respecting best practices involved therein. The same training programme is expected to take place in the West and Far North Regions in the days ahead. This training comes at the heels of the distribution of farm inputs to the Rice cooperatives in the North West, West and Far North Regions.