Mamfe Diocese Agricultural Plantations
Improved Traditional and Second Generation Agriculture – Agric Village in Okoyong, Nchang and Njeghe Farms
Agricultural achievements were obtained through the Vocational Training Centre Demonstration Farm in Okoyong and establishment of plantations in Ayukaba and Njeghe farms with last two mostly cleared.
Maize crop processing was also done at the Okoyong demonstration farms which were established using second generation methods with tractors and accessories provided to the diocese by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Estimated harvest stood at ten tons. Crop processing limited post harvest losses that would otherwise have been the situation. Some maize was sold to get further chemicals for farms while some was donated to the rainbow orphanage that largely depends on sustainability from the Diocese.
At the level of the Diocese, seven parishes and deanery demonstration farms were cleared out of thirty one planned, with cocoa seedlings planted that were donated by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation with hopes to continue next year.
Caritas: Mamfe Diocese Plantations
Divine Providence Vocational Training Centre/ Agriculture Capacity Building using Modern Farm Equipment
Crop Production
Most of capacity building on agriculture for individuals is implemented by the Vocational training Centre.
Trainees are groomed on crop production including soil preparation, farm mapping, nursery establishments/transplanting, chemical use, pest management, modern farm equipment, etc. Methods applied are classroom courses, farm practical work, seminars, workshops and extension work. Trainees are taken every seminar to visit similar farms within and out of the environment and they draw from peer practices which visits add to skill attainment and quality of knowledge received.
The use and practice of modern farm equipment is an opportunity for trainees of the institution since such services are not available elsewhere in the entire division. As ex-trainees of the center, the youths can avail themselves of modern agricultural equipment owned by the Diocese to establish their own farms after completing their training.
Caritas: Vocational Training Centre Structures/Second Generation Agriculture including farm Practicals
Caritas: Picture: 1st Batch Vocational Training Graduates
Cooperative of Mushroom Women Producers was established in Okoyong Community by Mamfe Diocese. This intervention was provoked by requests of the women to improve their economic situation and financial stand. This independent activity was created for the women because they cannot attend regular classes as they have to cater for children, fend for their needs, etc all during the day. So far the women produce at very small scale due to lack of inputs, but contribute to improving protein intake for their families. With additional support, more inputs will be attained to produce more to market so overall family incomes and standards of living will improve.
Caritas: Picture: 1st Batch Vocational Training Graduates
Livestock Training/Animal Houses
Other achieved activities within this domain include livestock training and animal house establishments within the vocational training centre and beekeeping workshop that was organised for twenty four trainees of the centre which added to their livelihood skills. By the end of the training sessions, activities were replicated by the beneficiaries which showed that all trainees understood the skill process taught.
Caritas: Divine providence Poultry and Piggery
A Project Management workshop was also inbuilt into modules of the 2015 Pastoral and Economic week that acts as the General assembly of Mamfe Diocese. About two hundred participants (community leaders) benefitted from this opportunity which enabled most communities to design project proposals that were funded which has contributed to community development of their areas. Challenges with this activity was that huge number of trainees squeezed into the hall due to lack of resources to organise separate workshops. As a result, the assimilation rate was above average with no deliverables disseminated due to limited finances.
Caritas: Picture of Project Management Workshop in January, 2015.
Caritas: 2nd Generation agricultural equipment and some accessories donated by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Caritas: Livestock rearing-Piggery and poultry at Vocational Training Center (DPVTC) Bachuo Ntai.
Caritas: Demonstration Farm in Okoyong and Food processing
(maize) inside dryer and shredding in Okoyong demonstration Farm (maize, pineapple, rice, cocoa etc crops).
