A New Era for Food Crop Research in

A cooperative project of the Cameroon Institute for Agronomic Research (IRA) International Intitute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the United Stat.s Agency for International Development (USAID)

Project No. 631-0013 November 1987 A sistance by USAID to ing research which other the agriculture sector countries in the region can of Cameroon is a vital use. input in the national develop- The NCRE project is com­ ment strategy. The assistance plemented by USAID assis­ provided to the National tance to the University Center Cereals Research and Exten- of Dschang, which represents sion program of the Institute he National Cereal the other arm of our support for Agronomic Research is Research and Extension to agriculture by strengthen­ especially valuable because it . Project (NCRE) illus- ing agricultural education is making available the best of trates the successful partner- faculties. USAID's long-term the world's agricultural tech- ship and cooperation of the commitment to food crop nology through its linkage and research in Cameroon is with the International Insti- the U.S. Agency for Interna- evident not only by funding tute of Tropical Agriculture tional Development (USAID). cereals research through and the international agri- NCRE has become a 15-year, NCRE for fifteen years but cultural research centers. 1 $70,000,000 project of the also by undertaking the have noted with some pride Government of Cameroon to research project in tropical the professional growth of the which USAID has contributed roots and tubers. Cameroonian research staff $43,000,000. This booklet I am impressed by the who have joined this project documents the impressive accomplishments of the NCRE and I look forward to their results of the first five years. project and congratulate the becoming the scientists and The long-term commitment Government of Cameroon's leaders of a dynamic and pro- is a historical one for USAID. Minister of Higher Education ductive agriculture sector. It demonstrates our determi- and Scientific Research, the nation to be a dependable, Institute of Agronomic long-term partner to a stable Research and USAID/ ' iK and committed country. The Cameroon on their successful / benefits of NCRE are twofold. collaboration in implementing First, Cameroon is able to this research program. H. E. Paul Biya President strengthen its agricultural Republic of Cameoon research system to maintain its policy of food self-reliance. Second, the research results hM , . are relevant and transferable M. Peter McPherson

to neighboring countries, U.S. AgencyDircor for which places Cameroon in a International Development leadership position in produc­

2 CON TNTS

INTRODUCTION 4 SORGHUM & 18 Agricultural research in Under low rainfall conditions Cameroon has a double of the growing region for impact, once for Cameroon sorghum and millet, higher and again for Africa as a yielding varieties and region, because Cameroon is improved cultural practices an agricultural research are essential to meet future producing country. needs.

NCRE 8 TESTING & LIAISON UNIT 22 The partnership and Developing and maintaining cooperation of the information channels between governments of Cameroon farmers, researchers and and the United States, extension agents is essential through the NCRE project, is for research to have an impact a long-term commitment to on agricultural growth. food security. COMMITMENT 26 10 NCRE is developing Maize variety development knowledge and operational intensified through the NCRE approaches with national project, benefitting from IRAs scientists to enhance their previous ten years of ability to identify problems, successful varietal analyze alternatives, and development work in both the formulate strategies that highlands and lowland achieve food security. regions. COOPERATING 14 INSTITUTIONS 32 Many West and Central African countries stand to ACRONYMS & benefit from the rice research ABBREVIATIONS 34 underway in Cameroon, especially those with similar PERSONNEL 35 agro-climatic conditions.

3 Agricultutal researchin Cameroon has a double impact, once for Cameroon and again for Africa as a region, because Cameroon is an agricultural research producing country. Development Strategy for Food Crops "n Cameroon's national In recent years government agricultural development support for food crops .Lstrateg,; one of the specific research has more than objectives set in the Fifth doubled. Part of the reason Five-Year Plan (1981-1986) was for the increased emphasis on self-reliance in food food crops is that Cameroon production. This objective is has a population growth rate further iterated in specific of three percent or more. At priorities that have been the same time its rural identified as areas of population is declining due to concentration within the rural rural-urban migration and sector, including improvement aging. This trend can only of farmer productivity increase the need for food through research efforts and production at a time when information availability, there may be less capacity to Cameroon has been produce it. Approximately virturally self-reliant in food two-thirds of Cameroon's 8.9 production even though public million people remain in the investment has been directed rural areas of the country. By largely toward cash and the year 2000 only half of the export crops in the past. population is expected to Nevertheless, analysts have reside in rural areas. looked to the long term and determined that foc4 self­ The government of Cameroon, sufficiency cannot be consciousof the Importance assumed. Experiei ce of agriculture in the develop­ ment of a nation, has Iden­ elsewhere in West and Central tifed qualityagronomic and farming method research as a Africa is a grim reminder of key factorin the successful the tentative nature of food try'sImplementation long-term food of the coun­ producfion. productionplan.

4 vIL Agricultural Setting Small-scale farmers dominate in food crop production, with most of then' farmiiig one to three hectares of land. The majority of farming operations are carried out by hand using traditional cropping systems and traditional crop varieties. "A. A network of agricultural production companies, development societies, cooperatives and regional development authorities constitutes a support Aging and rural-urban migration are infrastructure for modern- contributingto adecline In the rural ization of many small farms. population, while thc overall population Some of these organizations Is growing at arate of three percent or more. This trend is reducing the capacity are area- and crop-specific, for food production at a time when practice mechanized farming, greater production Isneeded. and utilize improved varieties and agronomic practices. Others are set up to assist KoussER. small-scale farmers, often with minimal inputs. Limited and uncertain rainfallreduces Land Diversity agriculturalpotential In the Northern pro- ouA vinces. With less than 800mm distributed TCHATIBALI Cameroon is a land of rivers) over lessrun than only 90seasonally. days, the Farmer'sMayos (dry. risk diverse climates, ranging from typicalof crop offailure Sahellan in this regions part ofthroughout Cameroon is humid tropics on the west Africa. coast of Africa to the Sahelian zone in the Extreme North Province. Rainfall in the humid tropics can be as high as 5000mm with 250 rain

The Institute of Agricultural B Research (IRA) has an exten­ sive network of research centers and stations IRA Infrastructure and throughoutthe country. This NCRE Research Sites distributionensures a research capability In the various agroclimatic zones and DIRECTORATEC supports the government's CENS S policyof Integrated SUBSTATIONS development.

6 days per year, while inthe V Agronomic Research (IRA) Sahelian north total rainfall is became the organization less than 800mm distributed throtigh which the NCRE over a period of less than 90 project was implknted. IRA days. Inbetween these has under its jurigiction a extremes is a regular National Cereals Research succession of climatic zones Program, one of 22 different broken by intervening progranis for agronomic mountains and plateau areas research in Cameroon. which affect both temperature In keeping with the and rainfall. government's policy of Soils in Cameroon are integrated development, IRA highly variable in composition, works throughout the country. fertility and in their Burning crop residues underground is a There are research centers and geographic distribution. These the first year but destroys soilorganic stations located in each agro­ matter and soil structure. Cereals range from highly weathered research can provide alternatives to tradi- climatic zone. Programs such soils in the southern forest tioral practices,such as this one which as IRAs cereals research with low nutrient holding program join with these capacity to alfisols and grown. In this respect, the centers and stations, as vertisols of the savanna, both IRA network of research appropriate, for research of moderate to high centers and stations provided across a range of agro-climatic productivity. There are also an excellent staging ground conditions and cropping or soils of volcanic origin found for cereals research and the farming systems. in Camerjon. These soils, basis for the NCRE project to Most of the cereal crops in along with the sedimentary strengthen the cereals research Cameroon are grown either as materials of the flood plains program within the IRA mixed crops or in rotation and deltas, tend to be the system. With this base of with other crops. Suitable most productive. operation and the complete varieties and agronomic Logistical Challenge cooperation of IRA, the practices in these cropping NCRE project was able to get systems require a multi­ This combination of off to a fast start and to disciplinary input. IRA cereals variation in soils and climate function effectively, researchers, working out of created an enormous logistical different stations across zones, challenge for tlhe NCRE IRA are able to capitalize on the project. In order to establish Under the Ministry of expertise of their colleagues, an effective research program Higher Education and both on the NCRE team itself for each of the cereal units, it Scientific Research, and those in other IRA was necessary to devise Cameroon's Institute for research programs, to address multilocational testing for each these added dimensions of of the crops in all (or a their research. representative sample) of the areas in which the crops were

7 The partnershipand cooperation of the governments of Cameroon and the United States, through the NCRE project, is a long-term commitnient to food security. National Cereals Research and Extension Project (NCRE) T he National Cereals Development (USAID) agreed Research and Extension to participate in funding the Project (NCRE) was NCRE project and committed conceived and designed in the $7.9 million toward its first late 1970s as a means to assist phase. The government of the government of Cameroon Cameroon committed $6 in achieving its long-term million for this start-up food production goals for the period. For the long-term principal cereals: maize, rice, 15-year timeframe for this sorghum and millet. The project, the government of strategy for NCRE to Cameroon and USAID have a contribute to Cameroon's combined commitment of $70 future needs was to fully million, $27 and $43 million, support the Cameroon cereals respectively: research program with a twofold mandate: first, to Technical Assistance strengthen Cameroon's The International Institute institutional capacity through of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) IRA for cereals research, with was contracted by USAID to special emphasis on training; provide technical and material and second, to facilitate the assistance to the project. As adaptation and transmission of research results to farmers. Most of the cereal crops grown in Cameroon are grown Funding either as mixed crops or in rotation with other crops. The In its continued support to challenge for cereal resear­ agricultural development in chersvarieties Is toand Identify agronomic superior prac­ Cameroon, the United States tice suitable to farmers in a wide range of agrocllmatlc Agency for International conditions.

8 an international agricultural scientists are in fact a part of research center already the nal jonal system, with engaged in collaboration with research geared toward Cameroon, IITAs ability to solving problems of mutual provide competent, interest. This united effort has experienced researchers and introduced some novel aspects its capacity for technical into the national cereals backstopping were obvious research program. For the advantages over other first time in IRA, a project potential contractors. has worked to become a The Research Team bridge between research stations, extension agents and Although the composition of farmers. NCRE's Testing and the NCRE team evolved Liaison Unit offered a new according to need during the approach in bridging first phase of the project, it traditional gaps between these began with a maize breeder, entities. Also for the first time maize agronomist, cereals in IRA, there is a strategy agronomist, rice breeder, rice underway for institution agronomist, sorghum and building on a long-term basis, millet breeder, agricultural geared to strengthening the economist, extension system and its many agronomist, a chief of party components through training and an administrative officer, of personnel and building its Members of this team were infrastructure. assigned to various IRA research centers and stations Benefits throughout the country. On the technical side, The Pieces Fit NCRE benefits are evident in project achievements Total integration of the specifically focused on NCRE project into the problems or technologies that Cameroonian system has been have built on, strengthened one of the most important and improved cereals aspects contributing to its agriculture in Cameroon. The success. Participating NCRE project's four major research units (Maize, Rice, Sorghum and Millet, and Testing and Liaison) have achieved notable success. Their success is a large part of the story of the National Cereals Research and Extension Project.

9 Maize variety development intensified through the NCRE project, benefitting from IRA's previous ten years of successful varietal development work in both the highlands and lowland . Potential for Increased Maize Production he NCRE Maize Cameroon is shown in Figure 1. Research Unit has This higher yielding 90-day achieved successes in variety is a direct product of both the highland and NCRE's maize improvement lowland zones of Cameroon. program and its objective of The Maize Improvement and developing stable, high­ Breeding Program identified yielding varieties for the short new varieties that can yield cropFing season of the twice as much as the varieties Sudano-sahelian zone of being used by farmers. For Cameroon. the highlands, one superior Agronomic Findings variety has been released to complement improved On the agronomic side, a materials previously developed multitude of experiments have and introduced by IRA. New been conducted ranging from populations have also been fertilizer and popluation trials established which will be the to residue management sources of future varieties. In practices. Some of the results the lowlands, two superior are striking. For example, maize varieties have been NCRE agronomists identified for the savanna and forest areas. Early maturing, streak resisting maize varieties developed and A Promising Lowland Variety introduced to Cameroon by IITA have made a special con­ The peformance of tribution to the NCRE Maize Research Unit and to the CMS-8501 (Cameroon Maize farmers of Cameroon. Streak Is a yield-depressingdisease Series, 1985, 1st release) at that threatens maize produc­ several locations in the tion in Cameroon and throughout much of Africa lowland savanna of Northern where maize is grown.

10

determined that a single Maize Performance at Several application of fertilizer on Locations of the Lowland maize can double yields (see Savanna of Northern Cameroon CMS-8501 90 DAYS U Figure 2). Another finding is Grain Yield (T/Ha) TZPB 115 DAYS (MOST WIDELY USED) M

the specificity of planting 9.5 dates for maize that can make 8.5 a three-tonne" difference in 8.4 83 yield (see Figure 3). The main 8.1 objective of the maize 7 i agronomy component is to 6.7 66 develop appropriate and 6.2 6.1 improved packages of cultural practices for maize farmers. Clearly, the kinds of results these researchers are getting can only have a positive impact on maize production in Cameroon. These are but a few examples of the Maize Research Unit's successes and L I are intended only to illustrate BERE PITOA SANGUERE TCHOLLIRE KAREWA GUIRING KISMATARI the diversity and scope of their work. Research Effects of Different Rates and Sources of Fertilizer on Maize undertaken by this unit has Grain Yield (T/Ha) been massive in scope and 15-20-15-6-1 18-46-0 7.4 20-10-10 involved not only the NCRE 6.9 maize researchers but many 6.5 other organizations, 6.1 6.3 institutions and individuals. 5.8 Collaborating Institutions Numerous internationally known maize materials from ITA, CIMMYT, national maize improvement programs

Dramatic yield Increases are possible with maize In Cameroon. NCRE researchers have introduced an improved maize variety cabable of Increasing farmers' yields by one tonne per hectare. Agronomic research has shown that a single application of fertilizercan double yields, and that Control 100 200 300 Control 100 200 300 Control 100 200 300 plantingdates alone can make a three-tonne difference In yields.

12 in Africa, varieties previously Cotton Development Broader Implications developed by IRA and local Company), MIDENO (North Typical farm yields of maize varieties provided by farmers West Development Authority), in Cameroon are about one were screened by the NCRE SODEBLE (Wheat tonne per hectare, but NCRE Maize Research Unit. Development Society/ researchers consider that with Multilocational trials were Company) and CENEEMA improved seed varieties, conducted throughout the IRA (National Center for Study improved cultural practices network to determine which and Experimentation with po maize materials grow best Agricultural Machinery). of between 2.0 and 3.0 tonnes and where. Collaboration in Other collaborators included per hectare are obtainable in this undertaking included ten the Ministry of Agriculture farmers' fields. Higher yields different IRA stations, plus and the World Bank's Center- will require a relatively parastatals2 and rural North project. Trials also modest increase in production development projects including involved hundreds of farmers costs, but they are within the SODECOTON (Cameroon throughout the provinces, realm of possibility for Cameroonian farmers. Maize Effect of Planting Dates on Grain Yield yields as high as 4.4 tonnes Grain Yield (T/Ha) per hectare have been attained

8.4 8.5 CMS-8501 TZPB in on-farm trials under farmer 8.2 8.1 management. Future Needs At the present time Cameroon is self-sufficient in maize. This position may be at risk as the rural population declines and the overall 4.9 population increases since maize is a staple food in Cameroon. Production constraints related to low maize yields are many, but include lack of improved varieties adapted to the various agro-climatic zones and poor agronomic practices. Cameroon's cereals research program is addressing these needs. The NCRE project has made 22/5 29/5 5/6 12/6 19/6 22/5 29/5 5/6 12/6 19/6 notable contributions, but much work remains to be 'Yields are given in tonnes per hecta; (i tonne = 1,000 kg). For comparison purposes "kilograms done if Cameroon is to per hectare" is approximately equal to "pounds per acre." 2Parastatalsinclude rural development projects, agriculturalproduction companies, cooperatives maintain self-sufficiency in and regional development authorities that are established or sanctioned by the government, maize production. Many West and Central African countries stand to benefit from the rice research underway in Cneroon, especially those With similaragro-climatic conditions. Rice Holds Promise for Cameroon he NCRE Rice Research found that green manuring of Unit has made signifi- transplanted rice can increase cant contributions to the yields by up to 30 percent. rice production of this This is a low-input country. Rice lines have been technology, as the green developed through the efforts manure crop is grown on the of NCRF rice breeders that plots during the off-season have such a capacity for when the land is fallow. production that they can triple Agronomic research has rice yields. Another also determined that puddling breakthrough has been the before transplanting results in introduction of low- a 50 percent increase in yield temperature tolerant varieties over the yield obtained under (two such varieties are now the local system of land available to farmers). These preparation (spading). Results varieties can be widely grown of three-year trials have where altitude-related low determined the optimum age temperatures have historically for seedling transplants of inhibited rice production. short-duration cultivars is four Concentrating efforts in to five weeks, while longer- developing high-yielding varieties, the project's Rice Research Unit has also Cold oern rice varieties Reserchnithas lsodeveloped through NCRE not introduced two higi-i- only benefit Cameroonian farmers but hold potential producing varieties for north elsewhere in Africa. Similar central and western agrocilmatic conditionsin Burundi and Rwanda, for Cameroon. example, are Inneed of cold tolerant rice varieties. Better Procedures Cameroon's leadership in developing these varieties is Through agronomic trials, an example of its ability to produce research of broader the Rice Research Unit has b,.nefit to the region.

14 duration cultivars can be transplanted at up to seven weeks without appreciable yield loss. As examples of successful research conducted on rice in Cameroon, these contributions of the Rice Research Unit should be placed in context. The examples given merely represent a part of IRAs rice research in north and western Cameroon and serve to illustrate some of the successes this unit of the NCRE team has achieved. Rice Areas The Rice Research Unit has focussed its research in support of the priorities placed on rice production by the government of Cameroon. Major Rice Growing Areas This focus is on the and Research Sites promotion of rice production through intensive cultivation U .10.1 LOCAlIONAL TESTIN1G5il1i A1CEPRODUCTO,I,,NCHD II MAGA in three major irrigated rice LtASlCI, C AP) POTENTIAL development FCCEPRTO[)IC1101 AREk I, AGOIIA projects: SODERIM (Society for the Development of Rice in Mbo Plain), UNVDA (Upper Nun Valley Development Authority), and SEMRY (Society for the Expansion and Modernization of Rice in Yagoua). In keeping with these priorities, the Rice Research Unit was posted at Dschang in the Western Province, about 34 kilometers from Mbo Plain and 150 kilometers from Ndop Plain h (see map).

15 Another area that is coming Rice Production Trend Ndop Plain into prominence for rice is Production (X1000 tonnes) At Ndop Plain, where Karewa, in the Upper Benoue 2o0 ­ UNVDA is stationed, the 1100 /alley area, North Province. meter altitude creates a low Irrigation facilities are now temperature constraint. An available in this region due to 160 associated problem is the the construction of Lagdo severity of sheath rot and Dam and the creation of a grain discoloration. NCRE large reservoir. 120 researchers targeted their Irrigated Rice Development research toward these NCRE's Rice Research Unit constraints. Several thousand has screened and tested 80 introductions were tested by thousands of experimental rice NCRE,researchers UNVDA collaborating and the from lines. Materials have come 0-Cer IDns t e from IITA, IRRI (International 40 Cameroon Institute of Rice Research Institute), IRAT Agronomic Research. Multi­ (Institute de la Recherche 'year testing has proven IR Agronomiques Tropicales et 1975 80 85 90 95 7167-33-2-3 to be extremely des Cultures Vivrieres), and stable. In collaboration with from national programs of IRA Station in Dschang, UNVDA this variety has been India, China, Taiwan and Sri conducts many trials 'hat are identified as one likely to Lanka. a direct result of requests replace the standard variety from the parastatals desiring (TAINAN V) which has poor Testing specific information for their grain quality and is not Screening and testing has rice growing operations. The acceptable to farmers (See been done under the different parastatals provide land, labor Figure 4). ecological conditions of the and other inputs to support Mbo Plain irrigated rice growing areas of the research. Results of these The SODERIM project is Cameroon. Scientists have trials are often incorporated based at Mbo Plain in the been evaluating these into recommendations that West Province. The area is materials for their high-yield parastatals make to their about 700 meters aboe sea potential in combination with farmers. Given promising level and surrounded by resistance to blast, leaf scald, varieties, the parast,als are mountains. Rainfall is high brown spot lodging and cold prepared to move quickly into and light intensity is low temperatures, which are the their own seed production. during the growing period. major impediments to rice Each of the rice parastatals These conditions contribute to production. is in a different agro- problems of neck blast and Dschar. ecological area. This has leaf blast in rice. % meant that selection of rice le sin ce. The NCRE Rice Research varieties and agronomic screening by NCRE rice Unit, operating out of the investigations have been varied and tailored to regional needs.

16 scientists has identified a development, where a number of genotypes suitable community grows and for this location. All have revolves around agricultural moderate resistance to blast initiatives, bringing people, and their grain quality is homes, electricity, roads and superior to that of the the attendant businesses and mainstay variety, Tainan V. services that accompany this These genotypes have been growth. provided to SODERIM for their consideration and Technological Promise potential release to farmers. Technology developed by NCRE researchers contributes Upper Benoue Valley directly to this growth and Coliaboration with Labor requirements for transplantingrice development through has been potentiallyreduced by 75-80 researchers at the Karewa percent due to the efforts of NCRE Rice production efficiencies. For Experimental Farm has Research Unit scientists.This modified example, NCRE scientists, and adapted IRRI rice transplanterpro­ identified several promising previouslymises production available efficiencies to Cameroon's not rice working with SODERIM and genotypes for different farmers. UNVDA, adapted a rice maturity rice groups suited to transplanter (designed by this region. Cooperating with irrigated development projects IRRI) to ease the job of NCRE since 1982, the Karewa are having a profound effect transplanting. The equipment Experimental Farm is one of on production, which is was tested and demonstrated the few experimental areas in anticipated to reach 200,000 at SODERIM and UNVDA the country with irrigation tonnes by the year 2000. The plots to cooperating farmers. facilities and capabilities. SEMRY project alone already The transplanter, as modified, From the collaborative results produces more than 75 reduces transplanting time obtained on irrigated rice, percent of the total rice from 25-30 days to 6-8 days authorities concerned with the produced in Cameroon. for a farmer planting one development of the region Effects hectare of rice. It is expected (Upper Benoue Valley) have that the transplanter will be been convinced of the Rice production is having a widely adopted by rice potential for irrigated rice as a far-reaching effect in farmers over a large area. viable crop. As a result, newly contributing to the Other developments, such as proposed projects in this area Government's integrated the cold tolerant rice varieties included rice as part of their development plans. Ndop developed through NCRE, not production scheme, town did not exist prior to the only benefit Cameroonian rice project there. Ndop's farmers but hold potential Future Considerations for existence is an example of the elsewhere. Similar agro­ Rice broader perspective of climatic conditions in Burundi Although rice is a relatively and Rwanda, for example, are new crop in Cameroon, it is in need of cold tolerant of growing importance in varieties. Cameroon's both the diet and the leadership in developing these economy of the country. The offers potential improvement for other African nations.

17 S. M ML

Under loz rainfall conditions of the growing region for sorghum and millet, higher yielding varieties and improved cultural practices are essential to meet fiture needs. Sorghum and Millet Developments

vr'r'he IRA Sorghum and has high yield potential Millet Program has without the use of fertilizer. kbenefitted considerably Sorghum variety S-35 through the incorporation of yielded 35 percent more than NCRE activities, especially the local check variety in through the Sorghum and multi-locational trials over a Millet Research Unit. Their three-year period. Similarly, combined efforts were in multi-locational, multi-year directed toward establishing a trials with sorghum variety solid base for the national S-34, 29 percent greater yields program. were achieved over the exotic Significant advances have check variety E35-1. been realized through the .,. identification of sorghum Introductions variety S-35 as one suitable Breeding materials of rainy for zones with annual rainfall season sorghum and pearl of less than 800 millimeters. millet were introduced from Promising lines have also ICRISAT and its ongoing been identified (S-34 is an programs in Africa, as well as example) where the rainfall from Nigeria, Burkina Faso allows a 110 to 120-day and many other national cropping period. Varieties previously grown in these Sorghum and pearl millet are zones have had low yields the main cereal crops grown in the semi-arid because they were 160-day them Cameroon.areas They ofare nor­ not varieties, only the staple foods, but their stalks provide fodder, In addition, one pearl millet fuel and shelter. This - deoendency, coupled with a _ _ _"_ __ cultivar, IKMV-8201, has been harsh environment, con­ identified as a short-cycle, tributes to the Inherent risk that farmers face disease-tolerant cultivar that region. In the

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19 programs. Muskwari (a Research Collaboration transplanted sorghum) The SAFGRAD 3 project has germplasm was collected from worked very closely with IRA various African countries by researchers in the northern the NCRE sorghum team. In provinces of Cameroon. all, 824 accessions of rainy SAFGRAD has collaborated as season sorghum, 583 the operational research accessions of pearl millet and component of the NCRE 142 accessions of Muskwari Sorghum and Millet Research sorghum were initially Unit, testing improved screened and tested for their varieties and agronomic potential in Cameroon. practices in farmers' fields. Priorities White-grelned sorghum varieties are The SAFGRAD project has preferred, althoughyellow-grained also assumed responsibility The primary aims of the sorghum Is important In some areas. All for studying the agronomic Sorghum and Millet Research sorghum Is produced for consumption. andc onomic The whitr-grained varieties are mainly and economic implications of Unit are the breeding of prepared as a porridge or made into suitable cultivars of sorghum 'ou-fou,"a bread-like preparation, new recommendations. and millet and the Feedback on farmers' results, development of production Hybridization Program concerns and problems are an systems that lead to higher Between 1981 and 1985, ten important contribution of this yields and great stability staff members from IRA- research team. The SAFGRAD across a range of Maroua Research Station were project, for example, environments. Another trained in hybridization conducted on-farm tests at 88 objective is the development of techniques. This training has sites during 1984 alone, suitable agronomic practices or helped to bolster the national confirming th,.productive improved varieties, hybridization program and is capacity of the NCRE-tested As important as improved an example of NCRE's sorghum variety S-35. These varieties are, they cannot be support to build capability in trials, conducted at the farm considered ready for farmer Cameroon cereals reserch, level, yielded 85 percent use until agronomic research The hybridization program is higher than the farmers' local has identified important expanding its effort- with this check variety. cultivation parameters for greater capability. In ICRISAT (International their use. Sorghum and millet generating Cameroon national Crops Research Institute for agronomists experiment to segregating materials, 120 the Semi-Arid Tropics) has determine, for example, the crosses have been attempted played an integral role in optimum planting dates, plant (local x local, local x exotic, strengthening millet and population and fertilizer and exotic x exotic) and are sorghum research in requirements for each variety presently in the F1, F2, F3 Cameroon. Working closely in a particular agro-climatic and F4 generations. with NCRE scientists, zone. This information is ICRISAT has provided and critical to ensure a variety's helped screen an extensive

3 success. SAFGRAD stands for Seni-Arid Food Grain Research and Developnent.

20 collection of germplasm in the The NCRE Sorghum and search for varieties suitable for Millet Research Unit also the northern provinces of collaborates with two other Cameroon. Relations have development agencies, SEMRY been fortified by the Sorghum and AGRILAGDO (Karewa and Millet Research Unit's Experimental Farm), with the annual participation in Ministry of Agriculture, the ICRISAT's in-house review. World Bank's Center-North Results of the Cameroon Project and with independent national sorghum and millet small-scale farmers throughout breeding program are the region. presented as a regular part of the review itinerary. Impiications for Sorghum Reciprocally, ICRISAT Red-grained sorghum varieties are exten- and Millet sivelygrown In the three ecological participates in NCRF's annual zones of the sorghum-growingareas of Considerable unfilled review and planning varties Cameroon. Red-grained potential exists for sorghum meetings. Bill," alocal beer. and millet in Cameroon. ICRISAT'S Genetic Yields in the north average Resources Unit has research needs, collaborating about 800 kilograms per collaborated with the NCRE in research trials, and hectare, but NCRE researchers Sorghum and Millet Research evaluating research results, consider that with improved Unii to evaluate 1,827 lines of NCRE researchers and, more seed varieties, improved Cameroon local sorghum broadly, IRA scientists serve cultural practices and germplasm, collecting data on as part of the research arm of fertilization, sorghum and morphological, taxonomic and SODECOTON, whose millet yields of 1.2 tonnes are agronomic traits. After mandate for rural obtainable. Sorghum yields of computer analysis at ICRISAT development includes cereals six tonnes per hectare have headquarters, a detailed production. IRA and been achieved on classification of the Cameroon SODECOTON interface demonstration plots. germplasm will be published, through a specific written Given the low rainfall and ICRISAT has also collaborated protocol agreem1 ent that uncertain rainfall conditions with IRA in a similar way elaborates how the joint of the growing region for with Cameroon millet research will be conducted, sorghum and millet, higher germplasm, collecting and Annual meetings between yielding varieties available for cataloguing data for storage IRA researchers and these conditions are essential and retrieval. SODECOTON scientists and to lessen farmers' risk of crop SODECOTON is a primary administrators establish failure. Although Cameroon is mover of agricultural research targets, including self-sufficient in both sorghum technology in the northern those specific to cereals and millet production, an region of Cameroon. This research. annual increase in yield of parastatal organization works approximately seven percent directly with NCRE will be required over the next researchers in identifying decade to maintain this self-sufficiency.

21 Developing and maintaining information channels between farmers, researchersand extension agents is essentialfor research to have an impact on agriculturalgrowth.w Developing Linkages Between Researchers, Extension Workers and Farmers

"r"' eveloping linkages field demonstrations. These Ijbetween researchers, efforts were geared toward extension workers and establishing linkages with the farmers is an explicit objective extension service, parastatal of the NCRE Testing and agencies and other Liaison Unit. It is also development projects. charged with transmitting Technology testing, primarily agronomic research results to of IRAs improved maize and extension agencies, with rice varieties, became a transmiting farmer's problems significant function of the to NCRE researchers and Testing and Liaison Unit. with considering some of the economic and social Expanded Scope consequences of agronomic The unit later broadened its research. perspective to incorporate an Early Mandate on-farm research DrinMntefirst three years methodology. Exploratory and During the first three years " of the project, the Training d and Liaison Unit concentrated Minikit trials, developed by the -,,- " Testing and Liaison Unit of the its efforts on short-term NCRE, contain all of the matsria!s necessary to con­ training, surveys to identify duct an on-farm trial: seed, biological and socio-economic fefrltiir, astring calibrated for planting distance, as well as constraints to production, the Instructions and auser response form. The TW has design and implementation of distributedmore than 1100 verification trials, and such kits to participating extension workers and establishing "pre-Atension" farmers.

22 - formal surveys became the in these zones, TLU modus operandi. On-farm trials verification and on-farm trials were designed with have helped to move proven consideration given to the materials from the research survey findings. These trials, station into the hands of initially managed by farmers. researchers, were eventually managed by researchers and Training Extension Workers farmers, by extension workers Following its early mandate and farmers, or by farmers for training, the TLU held themselves. The North West three two-week courses in and West Provinces were methods of on-farm systems divided into broadly-defined research for Ministry of recommendation domains, Agriculture (MINAGRI) field based primarily on altitude, demonstrators and parastatal rainfall, general soil fertility extension agents. In all, 110 and common maize-based extension workers participated cropping patterns, in these courses. Course M a Sobjectives were: to familiarize Mutual Support participants with basic The Testing and Liaison principles of food crop Unit (TLU) has worked closely production; to teach how to with maize and rice researchers work with farmers in and has contributed to their extending improved methods programs by testing their of crop production; to instruct materials and agronomic in carrying out basic socio­ practices. Maize packages, for economic surveys; and to example, have been developed offer training in how to for different locales, specifying conduct on-farm research appropriate varieties and trials. Collaboration with fertilizer applications for MINAGRI in training increased yields. In continued until the MIDENO collaboration with the NCRE (North West Development Rice Research Unit, improved Authority) organization irrigated rice varieties and assumed responsibility for moderate fertilizer applications training. With these linkages have been identified for two established, however, all three zones in the North West organizations continued to be Province. These regimes can supportive of each other's provide a yield increase of at programs. least one tonne per hectare more than the improved Collaboration in Training varieties already being grown NCRE researchers with the Testing and Liaison !.Tnit have also cooperated with IRA

23 Bambui Station scientists, by NCRE. Once the best MIDENO's Training and potential varieties and Demonstration Center staff, agronomic practices have been senior extension staff and identified, they can be Provincial Delegate for recommended to replace Agriculture technicians in traditional varieties and conducting training. This practices. training has included topics In working with MIDENO, related to the cropping IRA has assumed calendar in participants' work responsiblity for variety areas, laying out on-farm development and applied trials, and the use of new agronomic research with varieties and agronomic maize. On-farm testing and research trials. Through maize trials the TW has economic succeeded In defining promisingmaize assessment is technologiesthat can already be extended handled by the Testing and North West Province to farmers in specificecological zones. Liason Development These Include the Identification of L Unit of NCRE, and improved maize varieties and economic adaptive research is conducted MIDENO was created in rates of fertilizer fipplication. by the Provincial Delegation 1981 as an integrated rural NCRE and MIDENO for Agriculture. Extension of development institution for the recommendations is the North West Province. While What has been established prerogativereom ations of the theExtension its mandate includes many through MIDENO is a system Service. and varied development that works with various initiatives, IRA and NCRE sectors involved in agricultural Broader Perspectives interface directly with development. New Smallholder farmers in MIDENO's Extension and technological information is Cameroon encounter many Adaptive Research Programs. provided by NCRE to feed food crop production These programs represent through this system. A major constraints. At the same time, innovative concepts of role of MIDENO's Adaptive farmers typically make agricultural development in Research Program is to efficient use of the resources support of small-scale farmers, complement the work of at their disposal. Their Through a broadly based NCRE in providing the cropping systems and linkage between farmers, the Extension Service with cropping patterns have Extension Service and the information relevant to evolved ovater ations of investigative resource of IRA farming conditions and trial-and-error research of (including NCRE), there is a farmers' circumstances in the their own. capability in the North West province. What researchers can do, Province to address the On-farm trials are and an important role that a technical difficulties and conducted at MIDENO's nine production potential of the Training and Demonstration NCRE researchers and techni­ region's agriculture. Centers. Trials are designed to cians carefully record quan­ test appropriate varieties and this case of maize. TW agronomic practices developed verificationcnd on-farm trials have helped to move proven materials and methods from the research station Into the hands of farmers.

24 Testing and Liaison Unit can perform, is identify constraints to production that cannot be addressed using resources presently available to the farmer, and then investigate the possible solutions to provide the necessary resources. For example, if maize streak virus becomes a serious problem in a particular area, it is unlikely that farmers will have access to maize varieties that are resistant to this virus. The researcher can not only identify the constraint (maize streak virus) but can also provide varieties having resistance to this disease. The importance of developing and maintaining information channels between farmers, researchers and extension agents cannot be overrated. The concept of TLU is fully in concert with these important linkages. The NCRE Phase I Evaluation Report recognized the potential of this approach: "... the TLU concept holds promise to be a significant breakthrough in research management especially in regard to organizational structure and to research entity function. Whether the TLU will realize its promise depends on certain other aspects of management, and only time will test the viability and durability of the concept."

25 NCRE is developing knowledge and operationalapproaches with nationalscientists to enhance their ability to identify problems, analyze alternatives, and formulate strategies that achieve food security. Strengthening Cameroon Cereal Research Capability ereals research is more Professional Improvement ambitiotus than it used Cameroon scientists, to be in Cameroon. It researchers and technicians has a focus on the problems have strengthened their of farmers. It is national in capacity to address research scope and tied to the needs for food production international technology through professional network, while attuned to the improvement. This has been diverse requirements of agro- facilitated through NCRE climatic variablity in the support to training in three different regions of the ways: on-the-job training; country. It is generating "in-service" training (through technologies and short courses offered by methodologies that are international agricultural suitable and affordable to institutes); and degree-related farmers. This research is training. Training is a effective because of its comprehensive and integral effective integration in the part of the NCRE project, national system. IRA, IITA helping to strengthen the and USAID can be credited with long-term support to the process of institution-building Monitoring tours and project and strengthening Cameroon the woring regthe cereals research capability, but the government of Cameroon, the true strength of the IITA and USAID. They have also contributedto the plan­ national cereals research ning process Inproject In­ itiatives and research program is in its people. direction.

26 119~ Cameroon cereals research capability. Emphasis has been on the development of human resources as a strategy for building IR.s capacity to sustain an effective national cere als research program. Types of Training On-the-job training provided by NCRE scientists is not only geared to project counterparts but also to technicians and field recorders. Each of the NCRE research units has on-the-job training as part of their mandate. In-service training, primarily for technicians, has also been available to IRA researchers. It is more formalized, usually offered through one of the international agricultural research centers, and ranges from two weeks to six months in duration. IITA has offered a number of technicai short courses which IRA personnel have attended. Other short courses hqve been offered by IRRI, CIMMYT and ICRISAT. Another form of in-service training has been IRA scientists with higher degrees serving as visiting scientists at

"Learalng by doing" Is a con­ cept that describes on-the-job training, as researchers and technicians coordinate their efforts In establishingfield trials. This concept also describes the product or results of the msearch effort, Identifying technologies and methodologies suitable for farmers.

28 international agricultural actively participated in the research centers such as IITA process, they did not and CIMMYT More than 30 necessarily assume program technicians have participated leadership. Over a four-year in in-service training through period, these roles were the NCRE project. reversing. By 1985 Degree-related training has Cameroonian researchers were broadened and strengthened increasingly presenting the the expertise of reports and otherwise cereals research program. assuming leadership in the Promising scientists have reporting and planning received training in various process. They had also disciplines according to gradually assumed program needs. This training component on data analysis. responsiblity for organizing at the B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. these meetings. levels, has involved 13 cereals program researchers, IRA's Institutional Cameroonians in the along with researchers from Management following fields: maize, rice other IRA programs, IRA and sorghum breeding, grain Chiefs of Stations, The NCRE project storage, and in cereals representatives of seed demonstrates the importance and extension agronomy. production organizations, of institutional management Annual Reporting and development organizations, in project achievement. From Planning extension, and from various the sheer logistics of initiating international and other donor a complex project such as Professional improvement is projects and research centers. NCRE to the program a fundamental part of The NCRE project initiated planning and execution of building institutional capacity. these annual program project initiatives, IRA has As research competence planning meetings and IRA provided strong management. increases it is reflected in has enthusiastically adopted NCRE has been fortunate in program planning and them. this regard and has proven execution. This is most the potential of a project to evident, perhaps, in the Participation strengthen the host institution annual IRA Cereals and Those who have attended when management is skillful Farming Systems Programmes the planning meetings since in exploiting that potential. Planning Meetings. These they began in 1982 observe a Commitment to meetings bring together more marked changc in than 100 national and Infrastructure international scientists and participation over the years. NCRE represented a major researchers to present their In the beginning, IITA expansi presnte researchets adprn the scientists and other expatriate expansion of the IRAA research results and plan the researchers often presented program in cereals research. following year's research the reports and led the activities. These meetings are discussions during their attended by all of the IRA sessions. While the Cameroonian counterparts

29 A significant commitment was required of IRA both for offices and research facilities throughout the provinces. IRA • and USAID fund? were committed to su ,,piement these facilities with some new construction as needs arose. IITA handled procurement of research equipment and supplies through their budget for such basic items as scales, seed counters, shellers, and moisture meters. Some large Farmer field days have proved to be a powerful tool for researchers and extension workers. As many as 2000 farmers have attended a single farmer field day sponsored equipment was also secured by NCRE in collaboration with local and regional agriculturalorganizations. through the project, including threshers for both the Rice relationship to its sister centers Varietal selection and and Sorghum and Millet in the international development has been a long Research Units, laboratory agricultural research center process, but a successful one. analysis equipment for the system. This affiliation NCRE has identified maize, IRA stations in Bambui and accounted for early input from for example, adapted to the Dschang, and three tractors other international centers into three ecological zones and for the Nkolbisson, Maroua cereals research in Cameroon, suited to local production and and Bambui IRA Stations. It has fostered good working market requirements. As relationships between the another example, IIT~s maize Technical Assistance national cereals research germplasm has provided IITAs role in providing programs in Cameroon and streak resistance, badly technical assistance has been created a network between needed by Cameroon's maize pivotal. Not only has the IRA and international center farmers. These materials are research staff been highly scientists, critical for the continuing qualified, it has been Another international varietal development of motivated in conducting its dimension gained through Cameroon's cereals research research and in working with IITA was its access to a world program. national researchers. IITA stock of germplasm. With A third important scientists have shown a such tremendous diversity in dimension that has been serious commitment to agro-climatic conditions in evident through IITAs excellence in their research, Cameroon, literally thousands participation in the NCRE service to farmers and of plant materials were project is its experience in building the cereals research provided by or secured African farming systems and program in Cameroon. through IITA for screening. crop improvement. This IITA brought to NCRE an expertise has provided international dimension in excellent backstop capability more than one respect. An for technical assistance. obvious one is the institution's

30 remarkable job serving a variety of organizations across Cameroon's crop spectrum. Implications of Sustained Support The food production problems in Africa are well known. In addition to restra'nts posed by an unfriendly ecology, farmers in many countries have also labored under inadequate Farmer participationIn on-farm trails has helped to move research Information onto the farm while serving to feed Information on farmer's problems back to researchers, support from their Tested technologiesprovide extension workers varieties and methods they can governmental Cameroon farmersinstitutions. face the Research and Extension provides a critical and eneral situation imposed by The interface of research practical assessment of geeralrsituationment, by and extension, so often technologies at the farm level. the harsh environment, but ignored, has been of special It is at this level that the TLU through IRA they have the interest to NCRE researchers gives exposure to research support of a research in Cameroon. Their findings while extension technologies needed in the commitment to conduct workers and farmers are able diverse ecologies. Cereals effective research is dependent to verify the suitability and research ineCamereas on a continual feedback on adaptability of those findings. year by year intensifed its prevailing technologies, farmers' constraints and thefamrbte.TiisdeoIRAs Relations with National efforts and grown to serve the This is due to performance of recommended OrganizationsCameoonhasa wie rnge soundfarmer managementbetter. in IRA, technologies in farmers' fields. Cameroon has a wide rangestable From a practical standpoint of agencies which serve the government and reasonable this has made a producers of almost all food govene nt area research/extension interface an and cash crops. Each of them the institutional evolution will imperative, looks to IRA to serve as its continue and will be The Testing and Liaison research and development Unit of NCRE is novel in this arm. Some are powerful and accompanied by development regard. Because IRA energetic and press hard on institutions needed for management has determined IRA for technological support. agricultural growth. This to provide the structure, staff Some wait for IRA to deliver institutional evolution is and resources, this unit of its technology to them, and encouraging indeed for NCRE exists to ensure a others receive support at a camronn ine it research/extension interface, level between the two involves decision, and actions Technologies generated extremes. Through its 22 avalae to an ation through research are tested in programs, IRA is doing a be oang fo ica on-farm trials under extension general. This and farmer management.

31 he Institute of Agronomic For cereals research, this stablished in July 1967 as

Research (IRA) is one of collaboration is very active the first major African the five specialized with ITA, CIMMYT, IRAT, .i link in an integrated research institutes in the WARDA, IRRI as well as network of international Ministry of Higher Education regional organizations like research and training centers and Scientific Research. SAFGRAD. located throughout the Created in 1974, its operational Research funding of IRA developing regions of the structures comprise six comes mainly from Cameroon world, the International research Centers, 16 Stations Government. But IRA Institute of Tropical and 29 Antennas spread entertains a very active Agriculture (IITA) is an throughout the diverse technical cooperation with autonomous, nonprofit ecological areas of Cameroon. many agencies. The USAID is corporation with headquarters Presently, IRA employs about one of these, through projects on a 1,000-hectare 170 researchers ranging from like NCRE, Bean and Cowpea experimental farm at Ibadan, M.Sc. to Ph.D. degree CRSP and Root, and Tubers. Nigeria, in close proximity to holders. Others are CIRAD, ORSTOM, the University of Ibadan. Its Twenty-two research UNDP, FAQ, IDRC, the World location facilitates research in programs, both in cash and Bank and Gatsby Charitable three ecological zones of food crops, are being Foundation. Nigeria-humid forest, implemented by IRA. Eight of them are food crops oriented, namely: Research Cereals, roots and tubers, legumes, vegetable crops, Collaboration plantains, fruits, bananas and Matrix # : A pinneapples. . . S . o The Cereals and Farming Systems research programme Ira Cer and Staton, -. I - do have more than 40 MAROUA a StationX X X X -Xf scientists working in cereals NIOMBE X X X X improvement, agronomy, plant _B ANGX______xx __ xx_ X X Xx protection, pre-extension and EKONA farming x - .x x., ­ systems. Their results -o -n _'x- - :.- FOUM are X passed on to users BARONBIKANG X ... __ through collaboration with the IRADOUAA. Antennae . x . ':. Ministry of Agriculture and KOUSSER] x X X x government parastatal GYTrALE x x x x organizations like YMAGA A GOUA X X X X . . l ' . SODECOTON, UCCAO, M I x- x.

MIDENO, UNVDA, I-MAMT!BVOUNALOUM - x XX. x -x" - •, - : ,, SODERIM, SEMRY etc... souco7u TX ± xx .. In order to effectively carry SANGUERE X x. . out its assigned role of WHO LURE X x -. X - . increasing food crops x x - - X - - - - production and productivity SANTA _rom______X x, K x x X I' X' ,. in Cameroon, IRA collaborates MABUNGo x " ... x .X x..x, with many international &ANHoQU - X X - •x Research Centers. BANGG_' .

32 transitional, and savanna - countries. A food crisis in committed to helping and these zones are many of them has been developing countries in their representative of climate and building up over the years as efforts to meet basic human soil conditions in many areas rapid population growth, needs-to overcome the of Atrica. In addition, drought, and lagging problems of hunger, illiteracy, research is conducted in many agricultural production have disease and early death. areas of Africa in cooperation brought about a chronic food USAID provides assistance with regional and national deficit. through grants and loans programs. Four out of five of the which are used to support The "geographic mandate" of research programs of IITA are development projects and IITA includes the humid and crop centered: Grain Legume programs of governments, subhumid tropical regions of Improvement, Maize private institutions and the world, but the Institute Research, Rice Research, and international organizations. concentrates its research and Root and Tuber Improvement. These programs seek to raise training activities primarily on The fifth is the Farming income, eliminate hunger, the needs of sub-Saharan Systems Program. raise health levels, eradicate African countries. The central illiteracy and/or ease objective, in cooperation with he United States Agency unmanageable population national programs, is to I for International pressures. USAID operates undertake research to increase IL Development (USAID) worldwide in some 55 food production, employment, provides foreign aid on behalf countries. and income in those of the U.S. Government. It is In Cameroon, USAID has been assisting in the sectors of agriculture, public health, education and human resources since 1961. USAID supports Cameroon's goal of " ;e food self-sufficiency by helping the Institute of

-___ ~+ --,Agronomic Research's work in KISMAARIxx MWANG MBIRNI xxx improving productivity of Cooperating Organizations grains. In education and SEMR~y x X X X X X human resources, USAID UNVDA X X x X X supports programs to SODERIM X X X AGRILAGDO X X x X X-- modernize Cameroon's MIDEVIV X x x primary education system and SODEBLE X X Bai&om Rice Po1tec X X to train persons to be modern Proiect SEMENCIER X X X X managers in development SODECOTON X _ X X X X X ENSA x A x fields. in health, USAID's MIDENO x programs offer assistance in MOA Seed Production X x x x x UCCAO X x X training better qualified health WADA x x workers. A project is being M^N-G- Prlect Centre Nord x X X X I designed that will improve _V_ _ _ x xI health care specifically to MAISCAM x x x children and mothers. ME~ x x x X x' x USAID International Bodies also finances students to USAID x x xx xX x x pursue development-related MYIAx x x x x x x x x graduate studies in the U.S. CIRAD Off. GERDAD. x x x Since 1961, USAID has sm.G . Dx x Ix"- X X x provided almost $270 million IT x x to assist Cameroon's

SW^ARDA E x If x _ - development efforts.

33 AC SNM & 0BRVAIN

AGRILAGDO Karewa GERDAT Groupment PVOs Private Volun.- Experimental d'Etudes et de tary Farm Recherches Organizations AID Agency for pour le International Development de RTC Rural Training Development lAgronomic Mfonta, (United Tropical. Bambui States) ICRISAT International CENEEMA Centre Crops SAFGRAD Semi Arid National Research In- Food Grain d'Etudes et stitute for the Research and d'Experi- Semi-Arid Development mentation du Tropics SEMRY Company for Machinisme IDRC International the Expansion Agricole Research and Moder- CIMMYT International Development nization of Center for Center Rice Produc- Maize and IITA International tion in Yagoua Wheat Institute o, SOCAPALM Palm Oil Improvement Tripical Development CIAT International Agriculture Company Center for IRA Agricultural SODEBLE Society for the Tropical Research Development Agriculture Institute of Wheat CIP Centro Inter- IRAT Institut de SODECOTON Society for the national de la Recherche Development Papa Agronomique of Cotton CIRAD Centre de Tropicale et de SODERIM Society for the Cooperation Culture Vivrieres Development Internationale IRRI International of Rice in en Recherche Rice Research Mbo Plain Agronomique Institute UCCAO Union pour le ITA Institute of Centrale des Developpe Agricultural Cooperatives mentTechniques Agricoles de CRSP Collaborative Researchi Sup- MAISCAM CameroonTen l'Ouest poerc up- Maize Farm UNVDA Upper Nun port Program MIDENO North West Valley ENSA National Development Advanced Authority Authority School for MIDEVIV Seed and USAID United States FAO Food, FAO oodAuthrityInternationalFood Development Agency for Agricultural Authority Development Organisation MINAGRI Ministry of WADA Wum Area FEMEC Camercon Agriculture Development Evangelical NCRE National Authority Mission Cereals WARDA West African FONADER National Fund Research and Rice for Rural Extension Development Development Project Association

34 The national counterparts who served in the NCRE Project are as follows: Name Position Location Dr. Jacob A. Ayuk-Takem Maize Breeder & Bambui, Yaounde, NCRE Coordinator Nkolbisson Dr. Charles The Maize Breeder Nkolbisson Dr. Jean Tonye Maize Agronomist Nkolbisson Dr. Julius Takow Rice Agronomist Dschang Ms. Pauline Zekeng Extension Azronomist Bambui Mrs. Regine Aroga Entomologist Nkolbisson Mr. Ngoko Plant Pathologist Bambui Mr. Mart Samatana Socio-Economist Bambui Mr. Titus Nga Ngoumou Cereals Agronomist Garoua Mr. Jupiter Ndjeunga Socio-Economist Nkolbisson Ivlrs. Christine Poubom Extension Agronomist Ekona Mr. Manfred Besong Agricultural Economist Ekona Mr. Richard Kenga Sorghum Agronomist Marowa Mr. Anatole Mbeng Ebete Cereals Agronomist Garoua Mr. Jacob Eta-Ndu Maize Breeder Bambui Mr. Francois Meppe Extension Agronomist Bambui Mr. Ezechiel Pa!."am Administrative Assistant Nko!b sson Mr. Cletus Asanga Entomologist Dschang Mr. Fabien Jeutong Rice Breeder Dschang Mr. Bernard Soneh Cereals Agronomist Ekona Mr. J-B. Zangue Cheuka Maize Breeder Nkolbisson Mr. Claude Nankam Plant Pathologist Bambui Mr. Edward Ngong-Nassah Extension Agronomist Bambui Mr. Andre Djonnewa Sorghum Breeder Maroua Mr. Martin Ngueguim Extension Agronomist Bambui Mr. Celicard Zonkeng Maize Breeder Nkolbisson

The following national support staff served in the project: Name Position Location Mr. Mathias Tsabgou Tonfack Agricultural Technician Bambui Mrs. Grace N. Tima Agricultural Technician Bambui Mr. Jean-Claude Wafo Agricultural Technician Bambui Mrs. Mirabelle Karawa Agricultural Technician Bambui Mr. Thaddeus Ngwa Agricultural Technician Bambui Mr. Anthony Foraukon Field Recorder Bambui Mr. Abbas Abba Field Recorder Bambui Mr. Andre Ossombe Agricultural Technician Dschang Mr. Salonon Ebandan Agricultural Technician Santchou Mr. Martin Nguimatsa Agricultural Technician Santchou Mr. Michel Douanla Agricultural Technician Santchou Mr. Joseph Mbo Field Observer Santchou Mr. Dieudonne S. Sezine Field Observer Dschang Mr. Madgaji Field Observer Maroua Mr. Jean-Claude Ngongang Nono Agricultural Technician Nkolbisson Mrs. Esther Teke Agricultural Technician Nkolbisson Mr. Ferdinand Boyomo Agricultural Technician Nkolbisson 35 Mr. Emmanuel Bouambi Agricultural Technician Nkolbisson Mr. Michael Njume Agricultural Technician Nkolbisson Mr. Anatole Hounwa Agricultural Technician Ntui

Listed below are the technical personnel who served in the NCRE Project from 1981-1985: Name Position Location Dr. Emmanuel A. Atayi Agricultural Economist and Bambui Deputy Chief of Party, (became Chief of Party during 1 hase I) Dr. Thomas G. Hart Chief of Party Nkolbisson Mr. Daniel C. Goodman Administrative Officer Nkolbisson Dr. Jay :hung Maize Breeder Nkolbisson Dr. Animesh C. Roy Rice Agronomist Dschang Dr. D. Janakiram Rice Breeder Dschang Dr. Henri Talleyrand Cereals Agronomist Garoua Dr. Om Dangi Sorghum and Millet Breeder Maroua Dr. Joseph Kikafunda-Twine Extension Agronomist Bambui Mr. Dermot McHugh Agricultural Economist Bambui Dr. Leslie Everett Maize Breeder Bambui Mr. Toby Chamberlain Administrative Officer Nkolbisson Mr. Scott A. Welch Administrative Officer Nkolbisson Dr. Laures T. Empig Maize Breeder Nkoibisson

USAID personnel associated with NCRE from 1980-1987: James Williams Mission Director 1/80-11/80 Ronald Levin Mission Director 12/80-9/84 Jay Johnson Mission Director 6/85-Present Herbert Miller Acting Director 9/84-6/85 Eric Witt Agr. Development Officer 9/76-8/82 William Litwiller Agr. Development Officer 3/82-12/85 John Balis Agr. Development Officer 4/86-Present Richard Goldman Deputy ADO 10/7 8-9/82 Larry Dominessy Deputy ADO 9/82-9/86 Raymond Rifenburg Project Development Officer 11/78-6/82 Samuel Scott Project Development Officer 10/82-Present Abdel Moustafa Project Officer 9/81-12/84 William Judy Project Officer 5/85-Present Edward Egbemba Assistant Project Officer 12/83-Present

The views expressed herein are those of the author, Steve Kearl, and not necessarily those of the government of the Republic of Cameroon or of the United States Agency for International Development. Graphic design by Ron Stephens.

36