The price that stands presently at FCFA 1500, in the most remote villages, with prospects of rising further, has brought joy and jubilation to South West Cocoa producers.
Cocoa producers of the South West region continue to smile, as the price of Cocoa keeps increasing as days go by. The price that ranged from FCFA 1450 to FCFA 1500 perkilogram, has reawakened the lost hopes and desires of the farmers, who for the past years have been crying for the government to step up the price of Cocoa.
The continuous rise in the market price, have not only brightened the faces of farmers, but has equally improve their livelihood and incomes. In appreciation to the government for responding to the farmers plea, the executive body of the South West farmers cooperative Union, SOWEFCU, headed by Patrick Esapa Enyong, hailed the government for the move, and urged farmers to unite as one in order to prevent further manipulation from middlemen. The president equally saluted the government for the numerous assistance rendered to farmers to increase production and improve drying. He noted the provision of solar ovens, in most rural communities, which helps to prevent smoke as was in the old days. While pleading for the maintenance of rural roads to ease evacuation to the cities, the farmers say, bad roads leads to increase in cost of transportation, as well as drop in price. “While responsible farmers will make good use of the high price to improve on their lives, others will spend everything on alcohol consumption as well as following up unnecessary court cases”, Esapa cry out.
A farmer in one of the remote villages in Mbonge subdivision disclosed that he can comfortably pay his children fees, take care of his home and pay his debt, with sales of few bags of Cocoa.” For the past years, I usually sell 10 bags of Cocoa for FCFA 500.000, but this year, with just 3 bags of Cocoa, I made more than FCFA 500.000. The price is very encouraging and we pray that it maintained”, the farmer attested.
The increase in the price of Cocoa has been interpreted by many as a measure by the government to curb poverty in the rural communities. The move will enable farmers realised more income from sales, save more money, take care of their families and match up with other business people and civil servants.
So far the South West region contribute 60 percent of Cameroon’s Cocoa. Out of this, 40 percent comes from Meme Division, with Mbonge and Konye subdivisions taking the lead.
Jude EFUTERCHA
