Cameroon is being represented by the Agricultural Institute for Reasearch and Development (IRAD) at the 62nd edition of the Salon International de l’Agriculture de Paris, (SIAP) which opened on 21 February 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in France. The event, presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron, runs until 1 March 2026 and brings together agricultural stakeholders from around the world.
IRAD, acting as the State’s technical arm for agricultural development, is exhibiting a broad range of plant materials and processed agro-food products. The institute’s pavilion presents certified plant seeds covering several crop varieties, 100% Arabica coffee, biscuits made from potato, cassava, rice and maize flour, white and black pepper, Mendime Mezong, cocoa nibs and Ndjindja in both sweetened and unsweetened forms.
Also on display are non-timber forest products including Djansang, pépé, rondel and “four sides”, powdered chilli, dried shrimps, as well as bio-pesticides and bio-fertilisers in granular and liquid form. A range of Cameroonian culinary spice blends, such as bongo spice and yellow sauce spice, are also being showcased. According to IRAD officials, the presentation highlights research outputs aimed at improving productivity, value addition and food processing within Cameroon’s agricultural sector.
The participation follows IRAD’s recognition at the 60th edition of the fair in 2024, where its 100% Arabica coffee received the Farmers Choice Award. The distinction was granted for product quality and aroma, reinforcing the institute’s research profile within Central Africa and beyond.
The Paris exhibition serves as a platform for promoting agricultural innovation, facilitating partnerships and expanding market access. By presenting improved seeds, processed food products and biological inputs, IRAD’s presence aligns with national objectives related to food self-sufficiency, food security, agro-industrial development and import substitution. The event gathers farmers, researchers, policymakers and agribusiness operators, offering opportunities for technical exchange and commercial visibility.
Through its participation, Cameroon positions its research-backed agricultural products within an international marketplace, highlighting both primary production and value-added transformation as part of its broader economic and agricultural development strategy.
Mercy Fosoh
