Agricultural sector to invest 1.5 b in more than 1,000 youth

The Agropastoral Vocational Training Support Programme(AFOP), has just completed its first installation with slightly more than 1,000 young frontrunners in the agricultural sector, according to sources close to the government project.

The AFOP programme was implemented in the 10 regions of Cameroon by the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock since 2008

After devoted training attained in specialized AFOP program centers, the youth received a sum of 1.5 million FCfa each, from the government for an agro-pastoral project, according to sources.

This corresponds to an overall budget of 1.5 billion FCfa apart from the C2D funds, our sources indicated.

In the coming years, these inaugurated youth are expected to increase agro-pastoral production in Cameroon, a country with many production deficits.

Based on the statement by Ango Pierre Blaise, the coordinator of AFOP program, these new and young additions would contribute more to the fight against unemployment in the country, thanks to the creation of about 1,700 new direct and indirect jobs.

The agricultural sector is proving to be an important source of employment in Cameroon. Although still a small industry, this sector officially employs about 75% of the country's workforce.