(Business in Cameroon) - On March 9, 2018, Thomas Ngué Bissa, coordinator of AIMPD received 500 tons of yellow (Pannar 12) and white (Pannar 53) hybrid corn seeds in Douala.

According to official sources, this is the first part of an order of 1000 tons. The second part should be delivered in April. AIMPD officials reveal that the seeds will be distributed to producers in the 10 regions of Cameroon to ensure the availability of quality seeds for a successful 2018 campaign.

Thanks to these seeds, farmers can produce at least 4 tons of corn per hectare while with the variety they currently use, they can only produce 2 tons per hectare. AIMPD thus expects to increase the production by 160,000 tons this year.

By selling the products at CFA150/kg (it can be CFA250 during some seasons of the year, editor’s note), farmers can generate CFA24 billion.

The AIMPD explains that these seeds will be distributed to corn producers cooperatives but the other producers can request them if they have already prepared a site for the production.

These producers can send written requests to AIMPD’s regional units in Yaoundé, Douala, Bafoussam, and Garoua or to the representation of the agriculture ministry in their region.

To ensure that the seeds are well used, the institution informs that it will multiply its agricultural counseling to the beneficiaries, from when they receive the seeds to the day they sell the harvest.

A joint initiative of Cameroon and World Bank, AIMPD aims at boosting productivity and competitiveness in the value chain of corn, cassava, and sorghum. It is also aimed at increasing the production to meet the demands expressed by agribusiness companies.

Brice R. Mbodiam