Announcement of Small-Scale Farmers in Cameroon to Gain from Improved Extension Services on April 2, 1990

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. *Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 90/67 Contact: Marjorie Messiter (202) 477-3642 SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN CAMEROON TO GAIN FROM IMPROVED EXTENSION SERVICES WASHINGTON, April 2, 1990 -- Cameroon is taking steps to increase farm production and the incomes of more than 700,000 small-scale farmers through a project to strengthen agricultural extension services. The World Bank is supporting the project with a $31 million loan. The nation's economic growth depends heavily on agriculture, which employs 75 percent of the population and generates 25 percent of export revenues. Nine out of 10 farmers are smallholders, and many of them are women who are the main producers of foodcrops for home consumption and for the market. By focusing extension services on smallholders, the project will channel more assistance to women farmers. Under the project, national and regional extension services will be reorganized and strengthened to include systematic visits by extension agents to farmers and to provide the agents with technical support. Training programs will also be provided to improve the management-capabilities of implementing agencies and to strengthen the skills of extension agents. By directly involving research staff, farmers and extension agents in adaptive research and farm trials, the project aims to develop more effective methods of disseminating new seed varieties and technology to farmers. Financing will be provided to ensure the availability of improved seed varieties to farmers. The World Bank loan is for 20 years, including five years' grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.75 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.25 percent on the undisbursed balance. NOTE: Money figures are in U.S. dollar equivalents.