Cameroon moves towards the professionalization of the coffee-cocoa sector

A framework agreement was signed Tuesday in Douala between the ICCC and four producer organizations.

The Interprofessional Council of Cocoa and Coffee (ICCC) has observed that nearly 25 years after the liberalisation of the coffee and cocoa sectors, producer organisations in general, are struggling to cross the level of professionalization.

This recall was made by the Executive Secretary of the ICCC, Omer Gatien Maledy, during the signing of a convention framework between the Agency and four producer organisations in Douala.

The CICC portrayed a worrying picture of the sector, resulting from this lack of professionalism.

Firstly, in terms of production; facing an old orchard and low yields and the ageing of the labour force, the producer organization have failed to equip themselves with small equipment for the maintenance of plantations, or ensure their supply of plant material.

In addition, at the level of marketing; Subject to the dictates of buyers, the Producer Organization (PO) does not have sufficient means to equip itself with rolling equipment which allows them to regroup the products of their members, or to build storage infrastructure, weighing equipment and quality control equipment.

Finally there is the problem of funding. With no credits for production and in the absence of a system for credit campaigns, producers often agree to sell the products at low prices that do not comply with the technical routes with regard to post-harvest (fermentation and drying), thereby sacrificing the quality.

The ICCC believes that these shortcomings must be corrected very quickly, and that this should pass through the professionalization of the PO. This resulted in the signature of the framework convention signed on Tuesday, which provides support for producers.

Among other activities planned are; improving the quality through a technical support; the insertion of young people in the production through the programme 'New Generation'; the rejuvenation of the Orchard; the rationalization of internal marketing; the promotion of local transformation initiatives, etc.

The first four eligible PO for this accompaniment with the convention has been signed, are distributed in the Central and Littoral and altogether have 5 700 members.