(Business in Cameroon) - During a visit at Maga, in the Far-North, on June 17, 2019, agriculture minister Gabriel Mbairobe (photo), announced the government’s decision to provide XAF3.3 billion to rice producer Société d’expansion et de modernisation de la riziculture de Yagoua (Semry).

This fund will help Semry acquire equipment such as plough machines and power generators. “In the coming months, not only will the first rice shelling unit in Maga start operations, but we will also upgrade the second unit to increase its hourly paddy rice processing capacity from 5 to 9 tons,” the minister said.

Semry, which only survives thanks to the government’s subsidies, produces an average of 80,000 tons of rice per year. Most of its production is exported to Nigeria. The remaining being unable to meet local demand, Cameroon massively imports rice, affecting its trade balance.

BRM