Mission/ Batchenga-Ntui-Yoko-Tibati-Ngaoundéré

From 22 to 24 July 2024, the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure took part in the High-Level Mission related to the project to develop agricultural land in the Central Plain, along the Batchenga-Ntui-Yoko-Tibati-Ngaoundere corridor. A 13-member delegation from MINDCAF, led by the Secretary General, personal representative of the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure. The aim of the mission was to conduct a large-scale awareness campaign among the local population on the implementation of the project and its expected outcomes.

The Government project to develop land and install large-scale producers in the central plain is considered as a major tool to speed up the implementation of the import-substitution policy and the development of ‘second-generation’ agriculture. It aims to help enhance the competitiveness of agricultural sectors by developing land and modernising production infrastructure. It gives a prominent place to the rural sector and recognises its role as a driving force in the economy. The first priority is to make a successful transition to semi-intensive or industrial rural production, which will ensure food security and self-sufficiency for domestic consumption; supply the processing industry and create a domestic market and consumption for outward-oriented sectors; and develop exports as well as improve the balance of trade.

First stop

Meinganga: Reassessment of land reserves

Through the mayor, the traditional authority and the representative of the elite, a group of people from different parts of this wide division of some 14,267 km2 denounced the procedures for the creation of land reserves. According to them, these procedures do not involve the 457 inhabitants of Mbere in the process. They require:

the need to reassess the land certificates, taking into account the rights of the villagers, as a prerequisite for any implementation of the Central Plain project;
that the land management system be developed on the basis of the Group Founding model, with 50% for the investor and 50% for the local population, supervised by the investor;
the need to set up a permanent framework for dialogue between public authorities, investors and the local people.

Second stop

Tibati: Reduction of land reserves allocated to agro-industries

In Tibati, local people voiced their deep-rooted concerns, despite their support for the Central Plain project, they expressed the deep concerns of the communities, which are based on:

The reduction of land reserves allocated to agro-industries, which were created without the involvement of traditional authorities and the local people;
the development and enhancement of secure areas for the people concerned, in the event of temporary eviction;
the increase of compensations paid;

Third stop

Yoko: 29,500 ha of council forest.

Yoko, in the Mbam-and-Kim Division of the Centre Region, was the last stop of the High-Level Mission relating to the Project for the development of agricultural lands in the Central Plain, along the Batchenga-Ntui-Yoko-Tibati-Ngaoundere corridor. The enthusiasm of the local people in respect of the Central Plain project did not inhibit their concerns, which include the following:

More awareness-raising among the people, to stop illegal sale of land, particularly those affected by the project;
Help to increase land registration;
Environmental protection;
Provide technical assistance to small-holder farmers;

They also wished that a strong focus be laid on land management and that the provision of land to deemed as their contribution to the project. More importantly, “the lease is the sole mechanism for ensuring that the income generated will benefit both the State and the local population”, they argued.

During the conduct of the activities marking the High-Level Mission relating to the project for the development of agricultural lands in the Central plain, along the Batchenga-Ntui-Yoko-Tibati-Ngaoundere corridor, the various speeches by representatives of the population, at all stages, converged almost unanimously on land issues. This is a clear indication of Mindcaf's key role in the achievement of this project.

Armand Claude Adiobo

Cadre/CELCOM

Published the: Aug. 14, 2024
in Regional News