My work in Cameroun

Since march 2008 I am now in Cameroun as the country representative for Broederlijk Delen (BD). Having worked the previous 7 years in the forestry sector (mainly on Community Forestry or FLEGT policy work) I am grateful to be back in my real domain - the agricultural sector. BD is supporting 15 local partners in the field of sustainable rural development. For logistical and development reasons BD focuses on three regions in Cameroon - the Extreme North, North West and the great Center-South. Most of our partners are small organizations working directly with farmer groups and associations.
In the past weeks I have visited most of my partners and could learn about their work. During my trips I could experience with my own eyes the huge diversity we have in Cameroon. The Extreme North reminds me very much of the Senegambia. I felt like I have returned to my roots in Africa, seeing the wide open Sahel plains with groundnut fields, donkeys, mud houses and experiencing the hot days. The only real difference for me was that the majority in Cameroon is Christian, whereas West Africa is Islamic. So I had the permanent urge to use the Islamic greetings 'Salam Alaikum' but soon realized that this was the wrong place. Life in the Extreme North is rather difficult as it is very dry and the nature harsh. It seems however, that the harshness of the life is compensated by the warmth of the people and a very 'no-nonsense' appeal. Most of our partners in the Extreme North are around Maroua and work on the improvement of the soil and agricultural production, the marketing aspect of the products, and the strengthening of farmer groups and organizations with the aim to improve the lives of the people. The real threat to the lives there is the ongoing desertivication and with it the further destruction of valuable and scarce agricultural land. [To be continued...]