Meeting in Bertoua on April 9–10, 2026, members of the Agroecology Plus project team—led by SAILD—approved a training methodology in agroecological entrepreneurship designed for model farmers in the East and Far North regions.
The strategic meeting marks a turning point in the project “Scaling Up Agroecology to Strengthen Food and Nutritional Security in Four Departments of the East and Far North Regions of Cameroon” (Agroecology+), with the integration of economic and commercial considerations into the support provided to beneficiaries. How can we support the transition from agroecological production to agroecological entrepreneurship? What is agroecological entrepreneurship? These were the main concerns addressed during the discussions held in the East. Seated around the table were nine staff members dispatched from the Yaoundé coordination office and the regional branches in the East and Far North of the Service for Support to Local Development Initiatives (SAILD).
Over the course of two days, participants developed a methodology for knowledge transfer. They also identified several methods and tools for training in agroecological entrepreneurship. “We adapted the training content to local realities. Three main modules were defined: financial education, marketing, and negotiation. These topics were organized around learning methods such as practical exercises (role-playing, group calculations), and the use of anecdotes and examples grounded in the realities of local markets,” said Kévin Boucheke, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at SAILD.
A Training Manual on Agroecological Entrepreneurship
“The main training tool,” he said, “will be a standardized manual to facilitate on-the-ground training. “SAILD will develop its own training manual on agroecological entrepreneurship tailored to the specific characteristics of the Eastern and Far North regions. We expect it to be available by the second quarter of 2026. Although the primary language will remain French, local languages will be used to facilitate understanding—primarily Gbaya in the East and Fulbe in the Far North,” he added. Furthermore, a strategy for rolling out the training programs has been finalized. In each region, 30 model producers will be divided into two groups based on their level of entrepreneurial experience.
This initiative comes at a time when nearly 900 small-scale farmers, mentored by some 60 model farmers, are engaged in an agroecological transition. While production techniques are now well established, the challenges related to marketing and economic viability require a strengthening of entrepreneurial capacities. The training sessions on agroecological entrepreneurship will help foster an entrepreneurial spirit among small-scale agroecological farmers in the Eastern and Far North regions.
- Sharon Maché
