The project was implemented during the period 2002-2007 and was funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development of Africa, BADEA, The African Development Bank ADB, the Government of Cameroon and beneficiaries. The project promoted livestock and fish production and productivity in the South West Region. It covers the areas of livestock and fisheries development rural credit.

 

A.    INTRODUCTION
The Livestock and Fisheries Development Project has as global objectives; the Reduction of Rural Poverty, Creation of Employment, the enhancement of Food Security and the Fight Against Pouching in the South West Region. These objectives will be realized through activities which are divided into 6 components which are further divided into Sub-components. 

·   Component 1; livestock Development.

·   Component 2; Fisheries Development.

·   Component 3; Micro Credit Financing.

·   Component 4; Consultancy and Implementation Support

·   Component 5; Project Coordination, Management, Monitoring and Communication.

·   Component 6; Audit 

 

The effective implementation of this program within a period of six years is estimated at the cost of Fifty six million one hundred and twenty four thousand and twenty United State Dollars (USD 56,124,020), repartition as follows:

 Component 1, USD 39,589,520

  

·         Component 2, USD 5,187,000 

·         Component 3, USD 4,035,000

·         Component 4, USD 2,084,800.

·         Component 5, USD 5,137,700

·         Component 6, USD 90,000

B.     STRATEGIC CONTEXT                   
Country Context
 

1.      The Republic of Cameroon covers an area of 475,400 Km2 on the West Coast of Africa bordering Nigeria to the west, Chad to the north, the Central African Republic to the East, with Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to the South and a coastline of about 402 km. The population of Cameroon was estimated in 2010 at about 20 million inhabitants, giving a density of 40.8 persons per km2. The average annual population growth rate is around 2.2% and life expectancy is estimated at 53.7 years.

               

2.    Cameroon has abundant natural resources, including high value timber species, deposits of natural gas, iron, bauxite, cobalt and even gold. The agricultural sector produces cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, oil palm, rubber and banana. About 70% of the population depends on agriculture and pastoral activities for their livelihood. 87% of the poor live in rural areas.

 

3.      Cameroon is ranked 131 out of 169 in 2010 UNDP Human Development Report with a Human Development Index of 0.46. On its current trajectory, Cameroon is unlikely to achieve any of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with the possible exception of universal primary education and gender equality in access to primary schools.

                                                

 
The Country Economic Situation                               
 

4.      The average economic growth in the last five years was 3%, the growth rate was estimated at 5.6 to 5.9 between 2013 and 2015 The Cameroonian economy is relatively diversified, with services accounting for 46% of GDP, agriculture 19%, livestock/forestry 5%,fishery 1.5%, manufacturing 19% and oil and mining 9%. About 70% of the population depends on agriculture and pastoral activities for their livelihood. Subsistence agriculture is the mainstay of growth in rural sector.

 

5.      Cameroon is a member of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (Communauté Economique et Monetaire de l’Afrique Centrale, CEMAC), a monetary union with a supranational central bank and a monetary policy pegged to the Euro fiscal  policy is therefore the main macroeconomic instrument available to the authorities. The country’s medium-term fiscal strategy aims to limit the fiscal deficit during times of substantial oil revenues—in order to prevent future generations from being faced with unsustainable levels of debt, using revenues to finance growth-enhancing investments. The overall fiscal balance deficit of Cameroon is estimated at 2% of GDP in 2011.

 

6.      The average annual inflation rate was 2.6 percent in 2011 and is expected to remain below the CEMAC regional convergence criterion of 3 percent in the medium- term.

 

7.      The external accounts have benefited from the global economic recovery after the 2009 financial crisis; the external current account deficit is estimated at 3% of GDP in 2011.

 

8.      Cameroon debt stock stands at 10% of GDP with a debt-servicing requirement under 2% of government revenues. Debt relief obtained in 2006 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) significantly improved the country’s debt sustainability and provided some additional fiscal space for non-concessional borrowing for priority projects.

 

9.      While significant reforms were undertaken to consolidate macroeconomic stability,  Cameroon’s  growth  performance  remained  relatively  weak  and constrained  by:  underinvestment  in  critical  infrastructure,  an  unfavorable business climate, poor public financial management, a shallow financial sector and weak regional trade integration.

 

10.  The country has remained dependent on commodities and crude oil for export earnings and fiscal revenues.  The non-oil government revenue (13%of GDP), has remained lower than the average of other Sub--Saharan African oil exporters (20%) indicating the low value addition of the agriculture sector. In addition, Cameroon economic growth has strong spatial and geographic dimensions that increase inequalities in the country. In essence, the poor continue to be worse off, while the wealthy fare relatively better, underscoring the inability of the state to ensure an equitable allocation of resources to fight poverty.

 

 
Poverty Profile
 

11.  Poverty rate is estimated at close to 40 % of the population. Between 2001 and 2007, poverty has reduced sharply in urban areas by 5 points, particularly in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé, while in the rural areas; poverty has increased by close to 3 points, especially in the countryside of the Northern regions. About 87% of the poor live in rural areas and almost 94 per cent of the people classified as the poorest quintile live in these areas, as against only 2 per cent in Yaoundé, 2 per cent in Douala and 6 per cent in the other cities.

 

12.  Apart from the East region and the northern part of Cameroon, the other regions witnessed an overall drop in poverty levels. The two Northern regions (North and Extreme North) saw the biggest increase in poverty incidence, of 13.6 and 9.6 percentage points respectively. 40 per cent of people classified as the poorest in the country lived in the Far- North and 17% per cent in the North.

 

13.  The main poverty factors are: the household size, the level of education, the socio-economic group and access to means of production.

Country Development Strategy and Challenges
 

14.  Cameroon’s central challenge is to stimulate and sustain growth, and to ensure equitable distribution of wealth amongst its population. 

 

15. The main production challenge is related to the weak competitiveness of the production sectors and their low added value generation. The following obstacles to production were identified:

        i.            Difficult access to inputs (day-old chicks, fingerling improved seeds.etc); 

  ii.      Difficult access to modern agricultural techniques and other agricultural research innovations; 

iii.      Difficult access to credit;

 iv.      Insufficient rural sector development support infrastructure (tracks,  roads, warehouses, slaughter-houses, cold chains etc);

      v.            Difficulty in marketing livestock, often because of a very long marketing chain and lack of organize value chain flow; 

    vi.            Technical and financial weaknesses of socio-professional organizations.

 

Development Strategy
 

16. The Government of Cameroon has strong ambitions for its future, as reflected in its "Vision 2035". This policy document serves as the anchor for the new Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2010-2020) and envisions Cameroon as an "emerging nation, democratic and united in its diversity" by 2035. Its main objectives include: 

(i)     Reducing poverty to a socially acceptable level;

(ii)   Becoming a middle- income country and

(iii)  Reinforcing national unity and the democratic process.

 

17. The Poverty Reduction Strategy ambitions to boost GDP growth to an annual average         of 5.5%  over the period 2010-2020 and speed-up economic diversification and increase the competitiveness of national production. This is expected to reduce income poverty rate from 40 percent to 28.7 percent in 2020. Its major pillars are: (i) significant investment in infrastructure, (ii) strengthening human development and formal sector employment and (iii) improving good governance

 

 Livestock Sub-Sector
 

18. The livestock Sub-Sector accounts for an estimate of 5% of the GDP with a 2.3% growth rate. Livestock rearing contributes 17% of the rural production and constitutes the major source of income for 30% of the work force. There are four types of livestock rearing in Cameroon; these are: cattle breeding, rearing of small ruminants, poultry farming and pig farming. The forest zones and high plateaus are characterized by the predominance of small-scale livestock breeding made up of small ruminants, poultry and pigs.

 

According to the available statistics, national herd is composed of 6 million cattle, 2.6 million sheep, 2.9 million goats and 0.6 million pigs. The rearing of cattle is relatively important in the North, Adamawa and North West Regions. The two Regions that have been particularly associated with dairy production in Cameroon are the Adamawa Plateau and the North West Region. In the South West Region, small and medium-size cattle farmers are found mostly in Manyu and Kupe Muanenguba Divisions. The production of small ruminants, pigs and poultry is not sufficient to meet the needs of the population. 

 

Fisheries Sub-Sector
 

19. The Fishery Sub-sector in Cameroon accounts for about 1.5% of the GDP. The average annual production of Cameroon’s fishery industry is currently estimated at 175,646 tons including 7,428 tons from industrial fishing, of which 93,218 tons derived from artisanal maritime fishing and 75,000 tons from inland fishing and aquaculture. The number of maritime artisanal fishermen is estimated at 34136 of which 82% are foreigners from West African countries. Inland fishermen and fish farmers are estimated at 90,975 persons. The number of fish mongers in Cameroon is estimated at 9,500 persons and women make up 68% of this number. The Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal industry (MINEPIA) data show that the annual demand for fish products amounted to approximately 30 million tons. Imports of fish products in 2010 were 150,000 tons. In 2011 imports of fish products increased by 30%, leading to foreign exchange expenditure of approximately 100 billion CFA francs. The most common processing methods are smoking and drying which cover 75 - 80% of the production. This indicates that there is still a very large market in Cameroon for fishery product.

C. SECTOR   BACKGROUND OF THE SOUTH WEST REGION
 

The South West Region is one of the ten regions of the Republic of Cameroon.  It is bounded to the east by Littoral and West Regions, to the north by the North West Region, to the west by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean.

This region has a surface area of 24910km2   and is divided into six administrative Divisions; namely; Fako, Kupe-Muanenguba, Lebialem, Manyu, Meme and Ndian. These Divisions are divided into 31 Sub-Divisions.

       

The South West Region of Cameroon is endowed with a lot of potentials for the production of livestock and fisheries. Unfortunately these potentials are not well harnessed to give the wonderful results expected. It is therefore very important to put up a programme to solve the problems limiting productivity in this sector. 

The following are some of these potentials; 

 

The climate is tropical, characterized by high temperatures and prolonged rainy season. Most of the vegetation is ecologically rich tropical evergreen forest with about 5% made up of mangrove found in the maritime area. This is very important for fish reproduction.

 

        

The region has a very dynamic population of about 2.5 million inhabitants. Settlers from other parts of the country make-up 25% of this population, foreigners from other countries of the world make up about 5% of the population.

 

The South West Region has a high level of literacy rate but lack jobs to occupy the young educated populations that are seemingly frustrated with live. This young vibrant population, if orientated towards livestock production will be more enthusiastic and productive. 

  

This region has enough land which is suitable for livestock and fish farming activities. The long coastal boundary with the Atlantic ocean provide a vast surface for fishing activities. This region has many rivers in which cage fish farming can be developed.

 

This region has a long maritime border as well as land border with Nigeria which provides a huge market for the livestock and fisheries products produced. The South West Region also has boundary with the Littoral region which is the economic nerve centre of the Republic of Cameroon. 

 

The principal economic activities taking place in this region include the cultivation of tropical cash crops (cocoa, oil palm, coffee, rubber and banana) and food crops (mostly cassava, plantain, cocoyam, Irish potatoes and yam). About 60% of the populations of this region are peasant farmers involved in Sub-sistent agriculture.  Fishing is the main economic activity in the maritime areas of Ndian and Fako Divisions. About 95% of the fishermen in this region are foreigners from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin republic. 

 

The major corporations in the region include ; The Cameroon Development Corporation(CDC) which stretches into Fako, Meme, Ndian and Kupe-Muanenguba Divisions, PAMOL PLC in Ndian Division and Cameroon Tea Estate in Fako Division. These corporations carry out plantation agriculture and their products are sold locally and some part exported.

 

The common livestock reared in the South West Region includes goats, sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry. The non-conventional livestock rear includes; snails, cane rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, quails, rat mole, honey and other bee products. 

1.      LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTH WEST REGION.
Livestock production is a principal activity in both the rural and urban areas. What differs is the type of animals reared and the system of rearing.

 

1.1 Poultry Production

 

The compiled statistics from the reports of the six Divisional Delegations of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries in the South West Region indicate that in 2018, the population of poultry was as follows; 50332 broiler chicks and 55324 layer chicks were produced, 1741924 broiler, 1377582 layer birds, 8305 cockerels, 535853 local fowls, 10302 ducks, 644 pigeons, 215 turkey, 44 geese, 1583 quails and 21 guinea fowls.

 

These figures are by far lower than those of the year 2000, when the region was relatively stable and there was no psychosis due to avian influenza as in 2006. 

       

Poultry (local chicken and ducks) are extensive or in rare cases semi intensively reared in all the areas of the region. In most villages, every household has some poultry in free range.

 

In the Urban and Peri Urban areas some poultry farms are constructed and feeding provided to the birds.  This is in cases of commercial broiler production or commercial table eggs production. This is mostly in Fako and Meme Divisions and to some extend Manyu and Ndian Divisions.

 

1.2    Pig Production

 

 Pig farming is practiced in the whole region due partly to the prolific nature of the animal and easier husbandry practices. The rural population depends more on swine production than any other livestock production in the South West Region.

 

The breeds reared are cross-breeds of different exotic breeds (landrace, large white etc.) and sometimes with the local breed.

       

 The various housing system ranges from the traditional fence type to the suspended and cemented floor pens.

         

The South West Region has a piggery Centre that was constructed in Ombe. Unfortunately this centre has not been operational for some years now partly due to recurrent history of African swine fever incidences in the farm and partly due to lack of sufficient funding.

         

In 2018 the population of pigs in the South West Region was as follows; Fako 13928, Kupe Manenguba 3380, Lebialem 7397, Manyu 3012 and Meme 1655.Ndian had no pigs remaining. By the end of 2019 this population had reduced to less than 40% due to displacement of the population.

 

I.3 Small Ruminant Production

 

The populations of sheep and goats in 2018 according to the Regional Delegation of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (DREPIA) report are 25378 and 36709 respectively. Today there remain a high potential for the increase of the population of small ruminants in the region.

 

In the late 80s and early 90s, most households in the region had at least two or three small ruminants. Today some villages are void of these animals because of the effect of Pest de petite ruminant (PPR). In Fako and Meme Divisions all the oil Palm plantations serve as grazing land for sheep and goats. The leading Division in terms of sheep and goats rearing in the South West Region is Lebialem.  

 

Cameroon is involved in the world program to eradicate PPR. This will permit this project to enhance the rapid production of sheep and goats leading to the attainment of the project’s objectives.

 

 

I.4 Cattle Rearing

 

The South West Region has a lot of potential for cattle breeding especially in Manyu and Kupe-Muanenguba Divisions. The statistics report of DREPIA South West in 2018 indicate that the total population of cattle in the South West Region is 9120, Manyu alone having up to 5679. 

          

In 2018 alone 23004 cattle were slaughtered and inspected by MINEPIA services in the South West Region excluding those slaughtered clandestinely.

With the ever increasing population of people in the region, more will be required in the years to come. A greater portion of the cattle slaughtered in the South West Region come from the Northern regions through Douala and from the North West Region through Bachuo Akagbe.

 

The plains of Akwaya Sub-Division in Manyu Division and the hills of Bangem in Kupe Muanenguba Division are very suitable for cattle breeding.

 

I.5  Constraints to Livestock Production in South West Region

 

From the field investigations, the constraints to livestock production can be grouped into the following categories:

·         Very high cost of quality Feed, 

·         Low quality genetic material due to over inbreeding,

·         Scarcity of day-old chicks, 

·         Inappropriate or complete lack of livestock infrastructure, 

·         High mortalities due to high diseases prevalence 

·    Low technical as well as financial capacity of small farmers, 

·         Poor access to existing market,

·         Poor access to financial resources and

·         Frequent grazer/farmer conflicts.

·         Invasion of grazing land by noxious plants

·         High cost of veterinary products.

 

 

I.5.1 High Cost of Quality Feed

 

One of the constrains to livestock production especially poultry in the South West Region is the scarcity of quality feed in the market. Most of the small farmers in an attempt to maximize profit make their own feed without taking in to consideration all the necessary feed ingredients leading to retarded growth of the chicks which end up in low output and low profit. 

        

The small feed sellers in the market deceive farmers by mixing their own feed which is usually deficient in nutrients and then package it into bags of major feed companies thereby misleading farmers. In the case where quality feed from certified Feed companies is sold, the prices are usually very high and do not leave the poultry farmer the possibility of making any profit after the sale of their products. There is therefore a need to establish a community feed mill in every major town of the region.

      

Grazing lands are constantly being invaded by unwanted plants such as Bokassa grass and Bracken fern leading to degradation of the grazing land. During the dry season, hunters of wild life set fire on pasture in grazing lands.  This practice leads to upspring of young fresh grass which is succulent with low nutritive value and easily lead to bloat of the animals.  Although this practice help in the reduction of nematode eggs build up in the pasture, it degrades the soil seriously. 

            

There is the need to upgrade grazing lands by removing all the noxious plants and sowing quality pasture seeds such as Bracheria, Guatamala etc. Also plow some fields where only selected pasture seeds are planted. Implant two pasture seeds production centers in Akwaya Sub-Division in Manyu Division and in Bangem Sub-Division in Kupe-Muanenguba Division.

 

I.5.2 Low Genetic Materials and Lack of Day-Old Chicks

         

The cattle owners have the habit of managing their herds over many generations, this practice lead to the accumulation and manifestation of unwanted genetic material within the herd due to inbreeding.  The performance of the herd diminishes over time and mortality even increase as susceptibility to common diseases increase. 

         

There is therefore the need to remove all the males from existing herds and introduce selected bulls from other regions. This will reverse the negative effect of inbreeding.     

The scarcity of day-old chicks in the market has been an important limiting factor in poultry production in the South West Region. 

     

In the early 2000s Muyuka Agro Industrial Farms MAIF, produced quality day-old chicks (both broiler and layer), the importation of frozen chicken at that time rendered the business unprofitable. The company finally went into bankruptcy after the 2006 Avian Influenza psychosis.        

Today the only company producing day-old chicks in the region is the Chinese company in Ombe; this too has very limited capacity to produce.

      

Poultry farmers in the South West Region have to place their orders of day-old chicks from Douala and wait for many months or even up to a year to be supplied.      

A cooperative by name Muyuka Livestock Farmers Cooperative (MULIFCOOP Ltd) stated producing broiler day-old chicks in Kumba in 2016 but stopped production in the first quarter of 2017.     

The reason is that the Parent Stock farm is located in Malende in Muyuka Sub- Division where the temperature is high for parent stock. MULIFCOOP Ltd has acquired a 3hectas piece of land in Wokulo village in Buea Sub-Division for this purpose.            

There is therefore an urgent need to empower this cooperative which has the potentials to produce enough day –old broiler chicks to supply the South West farmers. 

                                                                                                                  

I.5.3 Lack of Livestock Infrastructures

        

Sometimes farmers cannot sell their products due to lack of a market place. There are some small broiler producers who find it difficult to sell their ready birds even though there are people who need the birds in the same town. The creation and construction of special markets for poultry products and others for pigs in the major towns of the region will solve this problem. Also the monitoring of livestock diseases will be made easier especially as all the products being sold in the markets will be registered.

The construction of small community poultry processing plants and abattoirs for pigs will help solve the problem of farmers loosing profit due to lengthy life span of broilers and fattened pigs.

      

The grazing lands in Akwaya Sub-Division and in the Bangem highlands need to be improved, they also lack well constructed vaccination pack and watering points. 

 

I.5.4  High Mortality due to Poor Management

         

Most of the livestock farmers in the South West Region register high mortality in their farms. This is partially due to the climatic condition (humid and hot) which favor the proliferation of parasites and other disease causing organisms. The main cause however is the lack of proper management. 

  

In poultry farms, the high prevalence of cocidiosis and white diarrhea are responsible for most cases of mortality. Cases of vaccine failure due to cool chain break, non respect of the vaccination program adapted to the farm etc are also very common.

     

In pig production, the main cause of death is the notorious African swine fever, Swine erysipelas and sometimes colibacilosis in piglets. Swine erysipelas responds to penicillin treatment unlike African swine fever which has neither vaccine nor treatment.

   

There is therefore urgent need to build the capacity of livestock farmers on farm management and disease control practices. Also a good knowledge of housing will be passed to them.

    

In the case of small ruminants, the main disease responsible for mortality in the region is PPR, foot rot and helminthosis sometimes are very devastating during the rainy season.  

     

Presently a regional vaccination campaign against PPR is ongoing and will last for three years with the objective of eradicating the disease. This will permit this project to achieve its objectives.

 

I.5.5 High Cost of Veterinary Products and Services.

        

Because of the high cost of veterinary services and veterinary products, the livestock farmers have the tendency to try to resolve health problems in their farmers themselves. This has led to the abuse of many antibiotics especially in the poultry sector. There is therefore the need to control the use of antibiotics and medication to control parasites in livestock farms. Emphasis will be on measures to prevent the spread of diseases in farms and to prevent re- infection in the same flock through the proper use of disinfectants.

 

I.5.6 Lack of Access to Credit Facilities                                                                                    

       

This is an important constrain to livestock farming. Banks are reluctant to grant loans for livestock and fisheries activities. They insist that the risk is higher than in other economic sectors. This makes it difficult for livestock farmers to expand their activities and thereby make more profit. Some farmers who have had difficulties in the past due to either lack of market for their ready product or disease hardly get a loan to re launch activity. 

Thus the necessity to establish a micro-credit scheme to enable farmers to expand their activities or even to re-start in case of interruption is very urgent.

 

II     FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN THE SOUTH WEST REGION

          

Fishing activity is very important in the South West Region especially in the maritime Divisions (Fako and Ndian). In the other Divisions, inland fishing is done to different extends.  Fishing activities in the South West Region can therefore be divided into 3 categories; Inland fishing which is principally artisanal, Maritime industrial fishing and Maritime artisanal fishing. Each of these categories of fishing is confronted with its constraints.

         

Inland fishing is done in Manyu Division in the following rivers; Manyu, Munaya, Mbo, Bache, Mbu, Mafi.  In Fako Division it is done principally in the Mungo River in Muyuka and Tiko Sub-Divisions. In Kupe-Muanenguba Division it is done in the Muanenguba Twin Lake, Lake Bernin, river Mungo, River Ohompe and River Mbie. In Lebialem Division, it is done in streams in Alou and Fontem while in Meme Division it is done in Barombi Lake, Meme River and Kumba Water.

 

Constraints of Fishing and Aquaculture in the South West Region

           

The main problems limiting the productivity of inland fishing include;

(i)      The use of chemicals to kill fish in streams,

(ii)    Over fishing without respecting periods of biological rest

(iii)  Non control of fishing equipment

(iv)  Post capture losses due to putrefaction 

(v)    Lack of a shop for the sale of fishing equipment

 

The problems of maritime artisanal fishing are similar to those of inland fishing except the use of chemicals to kill fish. However pollution of coastal waters of the sea with industrial by-products and oils from engines also destroy aquatic life. 

         

The problems associated with maritime industrial fishing include, 

(i)                 Non respect of fishing gears specified , 

(ii)               Non respect of fishing limit of 3 nautical miles from the coast line, 

(iii)             Fishing in prohibited areas

         

Aquaculture in the South West Region is poorly developed though it has existed over a very long period.  The problems confronted in the South West Region in carrying out this activity are numerous;

(i)      Very high scarcity of fingerlings, 

(ii)    Low level of technical assistance,

(iii)  Lack of access to credit to finance this activity 

(iv)  Inadequate sensitization of the population on the economic importance of this activity. 

 To render this Sub-Sector more productive by exploiting all the potentials available, a program need to be put in place to sub-mount these limiting factors. 

 

D. THE PROJECT

Location 
The Livestock and Fisheries Development Project phase II (LFDP II) will be implemented in the South West Region of Cameroon. All the six Divisions of the region will be engaged in this project though some activities will be more concentrated in some Divisions than others depending on their specificities.

Global objectives of the Project
The global objectives of the project are

1.      Create employment among the targeted population

2.      Ensure food security within the project area and beyond

3.      Reduce poverty in the rural areas and beyond

4.      Fight against Pouching.

Some of the Expected Results of the Project
The productivity of the rural actors in the livestock and fisheries sector is improved by building their technical capacity.

1.      The system of livestock farming is modernized and made more economically profitable and sustainable through the use of better equipment and proper housing (in the case of poultry and piggery).

2.      The genetic material in circulation in the local herds of cattle is improved through the introduction of selected bulls from IRAD.

3.      The grazing lands are enriched by over sowing of leguminous pasture seeds and removal of noxious plants. 

4.      Day-old chicks are available to farmers at all times through proper planning of their production in the Day-Old chick production unit in Buea.

5.      A new piggery centre is constructed, equipped and operational in the Konye Sub- Division.

6.      Quality breeder piglets are available to farmer groups involve in the production of piglets for fattening.

7.      Fingerlings are available to fish farmers through the proper planning of their production in the Barombi-Kang Aquaculture Centre and in the Manyu Fish Farming Center (constructed by this project).

8.      Inland fishing is more productive because of the institution of Biological rest to allow the fishes to reproduce and also grow in size.

9.      Livestock and fisheries products are available at affordable prices to the population.

10.  Environmental issues are taken seriously in the implementation of this project.

11.  Pouching activities have been put to an end in our Forest Reserves and Wild life Parks

12.  The question of gender is given serious consideration during the implementation of this project.

13.  The financial packages of all the actors involved in the livestock and fisheries value chain in the region is improved by at least 30%.

The Target Population
v  Youths of both sexes

v  Women of all ages

v  Hunters of wild game (in areas where pouching is rampant)

v  Men of all ages

v  Groups; (CIG, Associations and COOPERATIVES.)

v  Whole communities (pasture improvement, feed mill, etc)

JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT
The South West Region is endowed with a dynamic population which is ready to embrace changes that will lead to development.  This population which is very hard working needs just proper orientation and the necessary tools to embark on serious business.

 

In this post crisis period, when everybody is in need of some form of support to create a source of income, the opportunities offered by this project will create a multiplier effect in the productivity in the domain concern.  The coming of this project at this point in time is therefore divine.

        

This project will create jobs to absorb the many disgruntle university graduates in the villages. Some of these graduates were sponsored by poor parents who acquired small loans from village meetings (Njanggi groups) and all efforts to get employment through Concourses never yielded any fruits.

     

The technical capacity of small livestock farmers will be build up through seminars and workshops organized by this project.

    

The equipment to be used (cages) by farmers to increase productivity and reduce losses in their farms will be locally made to create employment.   

      

This project if implemented the way it is design, will render the poultry and the piggery industries in the South West Region very buoyant and endowed with the capacity to continuously expand as all aspects of the value chain are concern. 

      

Food security will be ensured and poverty alleviated in the course of implementing this project and long after its completion. 

    

The poultry markets created by this project and the slaughter plants put in place will be managed in such a way that no producer or producer group will be stranded with ready birds. The project will synchronize production with the available market. Stocking of the farms will be organized. This will eliminate the possibility of birds living longer than the protection limit of the vaccines they have received.

        

Pig production is very profitable due to their prolific nature and high ability to convert less valuable feed materials into quality pork. The construction of pig markets and abattoir will enable the beneficiaries to sell their animals easily whenever they are ready for the market.

            

The productivity of the existing cattle herds in the South West Region will be enhanced due to the improvement of the genetic material in circulation through cross breeding. The pasture will be improved in terms of quality and quantity.

           

The small ruminant population will increase through the distribution of quality kids and lambs to households in villages. These small ruminants will be reared alongside crop farming, thus generating additional income for the households. 

       

The microcredit scheme will provide the capital for farmers who want to expand their activities and even those farmers who dropped out of activities could start all over,

      

The implementation of the period of biological rest and the control of fishing equipment will lead to increase catch in inland fishing and even maritime artisanal fishing. The construction of cold rooms and ice production centers will eliminate post capture losses due to putrefaction.

    

The overall results obtained from the implementation of this project are very positive with wonderful socio-political and economic impact on the rural population.