Agriculture, Livestock Census To Gulp Over FCFA 20 Billion

Technical and funding partners have assured government of their commitment and willingness to support the operation.rnrn rnrnPreparations are intensifying ahead of the head count of agriculture and livestock in the country as announced by the Head of State in June 2015. Government, through the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, MINADER, and Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, MINEPIA, with technical and funding partners under the guide of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, held a round table conference in Yaounde on December 7, 2016, to agree on support expected from national and foreign bodies.rnrnMINADER and MINEPIA bosses, Henri Eyebe Ayissi and Dr Taïga were glad at the response of partners, saying their commitment was proof that the plan of activity would be respected. “We need financial and technical support from partners. They have confirmed their availability and commitment to the exercise,” the Ministers noted. Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi said the census exercise was expected to gulp a whopping FCFA 20 billion, FCFA 8 billion of which has been mobilised by government for activities spanning 2016-2018. Experts are however still working on the exact budget for the operation.rnrnThe plan of activities, the Coordinator of the General Agriculture and Livestock Census, RDAE, Laurent Manga Bela, said was already spelt out. Mapping started in September this year to end by May 2017, in collaboration with BUCREP, it was revealed. He also explained that the preparatory phase is expected to end by April 2017, with test samples on agro pastoral product...