"01 administrative block, 01 diffuse light storage warehouse, 01 laboratory and 01 greenhouse". The Bayangam branch of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) was solemnly inaugurated on 15 March 2024 by the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI), Dr Madeleine TCHUINTÉ.
The ceremony was attended by, among others, Augustine AWA FONKA (Governor of the Western Region), Professor NNANGA NGA (Chairman of the Irad Board of Directors), Dr Noé WOIN (Director General of IRAD), KOMI FIABOE (Country Representative of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Cameroon) and His Majesty Georges Désiré POUKAM II (Bayangam Paramount Chief).
Thanks to its geographical position and the altitude of its site, this facility has been identified as a prime location for the production of first-generation potato seed. So much so that it benefits from the expertise of international scientific partners such as the International Potato and Sweet Potato Centre (CIP), the University of Horticultural Sciences in Bengalore (India) and many others. The Nkolbisson reference institute's DG is convinced of the institute's potential to become a Specialised Research Station (SSR) for potato production. This promise was reinforced by the words of the IITA Country Representative: "Bayangam is the ideal place for potato cultivation. So it's not by chance that this locality was chosen". In his welcome address, the mayor of Bayangam, Gilbert METCHEKA, widely praised this choice. This structure is "a marvellous opportunity for development, to tie in with the second-generation agriculture that the President of the Republic, Paul BIYA, is so keen to see", he added.
In her inaugural speech, MINRESI solemnly acknowledged and above all praised all the efforts made by the BCM and the DG of IRAD in creating and building this infrastructure. Naturally, to make the most of this invaluable tool for local and national agricultural development, the member of government, a local elite, asked his people to make good use of the modern infrastructure acquired from the government.
On this occasion, Dr Madeleine TCHUINTÉ solemnly presented certificates of participation to the 250 women who had been trained in good agricultural practices.
The Communication Unit
Dr Noé WOIN, DG of IRAD
''This site enables us to produce the best potato species.
"This IRAD centre was set up because the Bayangam site is ideally located, both geographically and in terms of altitude. In fact, this site enables us to produce the best vitro-plants in the laboratory, as well as the best potato species. Thanks to the site's advantages, IRAD researchers had already begun work on the new facility, which was inaugurated today. Hundreds of seed growers and hundreds of students have been trained. And above all, it is at the centre of Cameroon's international scientific cooperation with countries such as India and Germany, through its secular arm IRAD. Today, we have a greenhouse that produces quality potato seedlings. We already produce 16 varieties of common bean as well as lowland maize varieties. In a nutshell, this is one of IRAD's 55 centres across the country. And this centre is destined to become a specialised station, given its geographical position and altitude.
Compiled by Pierre AMOUGOU