Mideno’s Schemes as Agent of Rural Agricultural Development: The Case of Maize Production in Mezam Division in Cameroon
Njimanted Godfrey Forgha *
Head of Divisions Tertiary Sciences, University of Bamenda, N.W.R, Cameroon.
Mbohjim Othniel Mobit
Department of Agricultural Economics, Catholic University Institute of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Dinah Gembom Phungeh
Department of Management Science, Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study assesses the efficiency of the micro credits of MEDINO in attaining food security via sustainable production with a case study of Maize under the Grass Field Participatory and Decentralised Rural Development Project (GP-DERUDEP).
Study Design: It adopts a survey research design
Place and Duration of the Study: MEDINO’s registered Maize farmers of the Mezam Division of the North West Region for a period of four months; January 2013 – April 2013.
Methodology: The logistic method of estimation was adopted with data gotten from a systematic selection of MEDINO’s registered Maize farmers with a total of 250 farmers sampled with 30 percent being women and 70 percent being male as well as falling between the ages of 20 – 60 years.
Results: It was realised the micro loans and agricultural educational scheme contributed significantly to the rural transformation but the rate of change in levels of production is impeded by the conservativeness of farmers in adapting to the present challenges towards food security.
Conclusion: Thus, the study recommends a more sustainable training of agriculturist in a complete curriculum as a sustainable solution. MIDENO should train farmers on writing sustainable agricultural projects that fetch real funding.
Keywords: Zero waste principle, Micro credit, Broad-based agricultural project, Sustainable production, Agro-Ecological Farming Practices, “Biomass”