Improving food security and revenues

Community Action for Development aimed to help 500 farmers from villages in Bangem to improve their food production, nutrition and revenues, while protecting the environment. Organised in ten officially registered groups, they were to be trained in sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming, agroforestry and modern beekeeping. Farmers would receive training in group governance, leadership and financial management. Modern agricultural practices would prevent soil degradation brought about by slash and burn techniques and the reforestation of three plots of land will contribute to improved access to water and fuel wood.

By the end of the project, 477 farmers ( 243 men and 234 women) were organised in 10 officially registered farmer associations. Thanks to the training, the farmers collectively produced 248.2 tons of food, of which 100.9 tons were consumed at household level and 147.3 tons sold on, generating $ 85,390 of income. The income was used for savings, and provision of micro-loans to farmers, payment of children's school fees, ploughed back into project activites and shared among members as proceeds. Some of the farmers were beginning to engage in value addition of their farm produce to increase their income and redus post-harvest losses. In addition, 5,222 trees were planted around two degrade water catchment areas, restoring their viability and functionality.

Founded in 2003, Community Action for Development (CAD) is a Cameroonian organisation that focuses on the protection and sustainable development of rural populations, with a particular focus on women and children.

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