From February 07 to 08, 2024, SAILD organized a preparatory workshop at its premises in the Elig-Essono district of Yaoundé, in preparation for a survey to assess the level of appropriation of agroecology in the East and Far North regions of Cameroon.
Understanding, planning and coordinating a survey on the evaluation of considerations linked to agroecological practices and the market for agroecological products in the East and Far North were the main objectives of the workshop. The meeting brought together key members of the project team, including staff from the general secretariat of the Support Service for Local Development Initiatives ( SAILD), and those from the Maroua and Bertoua branches at the organization’s headquarters in the Elig-Essono district.
Over the course of two days, discussions enabled stakeholders to master the contours of the initial survey. “We are working in four departments in the East and Far North regions, including Mayo-Kani, Diamaré, Lom-et-Djérem and Haut-Nyong. In concrete terms, the aim is to determine the level of appropriation of agroecological practices by the local population, and to find out what the current level of marketing mechanisms for agroecological products is in these departments” explained Kevin Boucheke, agroecology specialist.
Two-month survey
According to him, the probable results could be the absence of support markets for the sale of agroecological products; and a minimum of adherents to agroecological practices, as he says they have been taught in the targeted regions for seven years now. The workshop also identified the dates, means and tools to be used for data collection in the field. “From preparation to submission of the final survey, the work is scheduled to take two months. Data collection will take two days in each region. The data will then be analyzed. But before that, exchanges are planned with traditional and administrative authorities. As well as the pre-identification and training of surveyors etc.” confided Kevin.
At the end of the workshop, participants were very satisfied, as they felt that the initial objectives had been achieved and that the actions to be implemented for an effective survey were clear. Responsibilities were also assigned. It is up to everyone to implement what has been said so that the final report of the survey initiated as part of the Agroecology+ project entitled “Scaling up agroecology to reinforce food and nutritional security in 04 departments of the East and Far North regions of Cameroon” is produced by the end of March 2025.
- Sharon Maché
