Yaounde to host an international fair for agricultural machinery in June 2015

Over a thousand participants from several countries and organizations are expected at an international exhibition of agricultural machinery whose first edition is announced for June 2015 in Yaounde, according to leaders of the Chamber of agriculture, fisheries, livestock and forests of Cameroon, promoter of the event.

"Only the producers who have confirmed their participation, it will amount to 600 peasant organization, with Governments and international organizations, in my opinion, it should get close between 1,000 and 1,200 companies", revealed Elissar Mbang Ekoutou Boubakary, General Coordinator of the fair.

Under the theme "agricultural revolution: issues and challenges of second generation agriculture in Cameroon", the first international exhibition of agricultural machinery (SIMAC) intending to take place at the end of the first half of 2015 in the Cameroonian capital, has as main objectives to promote the modernization of agriculture in the Central African country.

With more than 22 million people, Cameroon has made agriculture the mainstay of its economy, which takes up more than 60% of the active population.

Practiced on only 20% of arable land, this source of wealth is characterized by low yields for family farms who still turned towards the use of work tools essentially rudimentary.

The poor state of the roads is fully the challenge of food and agricultural self-sufficiency, although competitiveness in its exports to its neighbors (Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria), the country announced an important part of agriculture, provided by these family farms associated with modern production units.

According to Elissar Mbang Ekoutou Boubakary, "35% to 70% of production losses are the result of practices by the amateurs". The event is organized around five specialized pavilions dedicated to the administration and international cooperation, agricultural machinery, irrigation and innovation, agriculture, agri-food trades and local flavour then funding of rural projects by the rural World Bank.

The participation of international agricultural machinery manufacturers is also covered by the Organizing Committee. "We will find quality machines, at a cost accessible to our producers. We invited Turkey, Tunisia-China - who will be there with a massive participation, India and France, who hesitates a bit", explained Ms. Boubakary.

The United Nations food and agriculture Organization (FAO), the African Development Bank (ADB) and the German technical co-operation (GiZ) are cited among the international partners announced.