FIRST MEETING OF THE IFAD ROOTS AND TUBERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES/PROJECTS Douala, Cameroun November 2007 Contribution of the PNDRT - CAMEROON André MBAIRANODJI Officer in Charge of Production/Processing CASSAVA PRODUCTION

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION Introduction Current situation of production activities Main activities carried out by the PNDRT/Results achieved –Real impacts on beneficiaries –Implementation procedures –Good practices/Innovations –Difficulties and solutions –Main challenges for the future and required/anticipated actions Conclusion

INTRODUCTION  Cassava production in in Cameroon is estimated at tonnes for an area of hectares i.e. a yield of t/ha.  The production chain aims at improving:  Productivity through R&T intensification and diversification within small-farming systems;  Multiplication of improved foundation plant material by networks of farmer-multipliers;  Integrated pest management;  Sustainable soil management.  Production activity is dominated by women and is primarily intended for domestic consumption.  The cropping system is extensive, with intercropping. There is very little single cropping.  Opportunities for cassava production in Cameroon include the availability of fertile land and of labour, the women growers’ dynamism and openness to innovation, and good collaboration among actors.

CURRENT SITUATION OF PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES AGROECOLOGICAL ZONES

CURRENT SITUATION OF PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (continued) YearProduction (tonnes)

CURRENT SITUATION OF PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (continued)  The cropping system: extensive and with intercropping (85% of farms).  Single cropping: on some farms (average density of plants/ha).  Three types of plot can be distinguished:  Individual, small (0.5 to 1 ha/year);  Individual, large (5 ha/year);  Community (> 5 ha/year).  Supply of plant material:  In old fields (unreliable quality);  From specialist multipliers. The availability of this plant material is not always guaranteed.

CURRENT SITUATION OF PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (continued and concluded)  The most valued varieties are local varieties because of their: Availability; High dry-matter content; Sensory properties; Production cycle long enough for them to be kept in the field for a relatively long time.  Plant material requirements: cuttings/year.  The PNDRT is closely involved in the multiplication and distribution of improved cassava plant material.

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Establishment of cassava farmer field schools (FFSs). Establishment of multiplication fields for improved cassava plant material.

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Establishment of cassava farmer field schools Results/Impacts on growers 70 FFSs established: : 309 growers (82% women) trained in 10 FFSs in cassava production and integrated protection techniques: technical package, growers’ knowledge of diseases, rapid multiplication of cuttings, other lessons learned. Yield: t/ha: : 730 growers (517 women and 213 men) trained/in training in 20 FFSs : growers (71% women) in training in 40 FFSs cuttings: produced in the FFSs, already harvested Sale of cuttings: 25 CFAF per cm cutting

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Establishment of FFSs  Establishment method Identification of groups on the basis of well-defined criteria; Presentation of introductory modules on the FFS; Identification of the site for the FFS; Establishment of the FFS; Animation/Monitoring of the FFS (the length of the training period is based on the cropping cycle); Harvesting.  Target group Cassava growers.  Good practices/Innovations Disease/pest control is biological or based on cultivation methods; Every trained grower is a potential trainer; A trained grower should train 10 more growers; The plant material produced is productive and healthy and is a source of income; The improvement in yield is visible.

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Establishment of FFSs Difficulties: School fields invaded by straying animals; Lack of dynamism of some groups. Solutions: Fencing the FFSs; Insistence on group dynamics before selection. Main challenges: Establishment of FFSs in all the villages of the PNDRT; Estimation of the take-up rate of FFSs. Required/Anticipated actions: Gradual increase in the number of FFSs; Organization of a survey to evaluate the take-up rate of FFSs; Further reflection on the way trained farmers hand on their knowledge to their colleagues once their training is over.

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Multiplication fields for improved cassava plant material Results/Impacts on beneficiaries cuttings made available to about 1044 beneficiaries : –IRAD : ( 41-15, 24-25, 8061, 8034, 8017, 6889, 92/0326, Escape 32, 91/427, 91/0234, TME1, 92/0057 & escape); –IITA : (92/0326, 96/1414, B.Bulk P6, 8085, 96/1762, 95/0109, 92/0057, , 96/0023 & ); –Farmers’ organizations : (8017, 8034, 8061). 261 ha planted; Sale of multiplied cuttings by beneficiaries (25 CFAF per cm cutting).

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Multiplication fields for improved cassava plant material  Establishment method –Identification of beneficiary groups –Preparation of the ground –Signing of agreements with research institutions –Delivery/Reception of plant material –Training in multiplication techniques –Monitoring  Target group -Cassava growers  Good practices/Innovations –Production of healthy plant material –Distribution of healthy, productive plant material throughout the country –Micro-propagation by cuttings (multiplication of two-knot cuttings) –Certification of the plant material used by the relevant departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Main activities carried out by the PNDRT Multiplication fields for improved cassava plant material  Difficulties: Late delivery of cuttings Low capacity for cutting back cuttings  Solutions: Acceleration of the processing of non-objection requests IRAD and IITA: increase in the number of staff engaged in cutting back  Main challenges: Establishment of stockyards under the sole responsibility of the PNDRT Meeting of growers’ needs for cuttings  Required/Anticipated actions: Search for supplementary funding Boosting of collaboration with research institutions, international organizations and the other partners involved

CONCLUSION  FFSs: a powerful tool for transferring production and integrated protection techniques; 70 FFSs established;  674 growers trained and in training in production and integrated protection techniques; every trained grower is a trainer;  Yields obtained through the FFSs: t/ha (+ 11 t/ha);  cuttings (improved varieties) made available (covering 261 ha);  Heavy demand for cuttings: alternative sources of funding must be sought other than the PNDRT;  Need to boost collaboration with research institutions (IRAD, IITA), NGOs and CIGs.

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