From a field demonstration plot to an Integrated Resource and Agricultural

Tourism Centre:

The case of Twantoh Mixed Farming Common Initiative Group (MIFACIG) BELO-NWR-CAMEROON

www.mifacig.0rg

KUH EmmanuelCentre Coordinator

RATIONALEProblems affecting yields resulting from poor soil fertility

Inadequate information and techniques to improve on the situation

Absence of livelihood activities to act as a driving force to motivation.

OBJECTIVESTo demonstrate the potentials for

transforming a diversified agroforestry demonstration plot into a resource center to act as a relay organisation to foster the training of farmers, extension agents and students in adoption of agroforestry technologies, and practices.

GETTING STARTED Emmanuel KUH from 1993...

Graduate of Agric SchoolOwner of a home garden and ‘small’ tree

nurserySelf employed member of a nameless group

of six

HOW DID WE GO ABOUT IT?Adequate production infrastructure

Rapid plantain multiplication propagator

Plant production units

Non mist propagator (rooting of cuttings

Giant propagators for rehabilitation of plant marcots

SPACIOUS DISPLAY FOR PLANTS

GOAT HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Piggery

Modern apiary with 50 bee hives

HOW DID WE GO ABOUT IT?Adequate training and lodging facilities

Conference hall-farmer-to-farmer approach

Guest house with single and double rooms Double

bed roomsSuit with a living room

Outdoor classrooms for small training groups and canteen for refreshment.

Multi-strata demonstration plot and organic garden incorporated with a medicinal plant garden

AchievementsCreation of satellite nurseries/diversifying production

With production capacity of more than 10 000 plants of marcots and grafted plants

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE• Lifetime magazine award

Dr. Ebenezer Asaah (ICRAF-Cameroon, presenting Award to Emmanuel Kuh (in white)

Challenges• Farmers’ needs and constraints

• Inadequate capital,• Redundancy in the adoption of modern

bee farming techniques, • Inefficient marketing strategies and

processing techniques • Absence of a strong marketing network

lurks in the honey business

MIFACIG Challenges

Challenges

Insufficient income: not enough to provide free trainings to farmers and to compensate the staff adequately.

Insufficient material to provide proper training and pedagogic tools for trainers.

Insufficient means of communication and distribution of services in far off communities.

ConclusionSuch scheme is not solely dependent on money.

Commitment, honesty and vision focused are guiding principle to a success story

Nowadays, farmers capitalise on financial aspect of community projects and rely on external inputs with little or no internal inputs.

Nonetheless, the financial aspect facilitates the realisation of a vision.

Multiplier effect demonstrated by dedication with little financial support at the initial stage shows that MIFACIG resource centre can do better with more support from scaling up partners.

THANKS FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION

www.mifacig.0rg