Story, Akumany David
The Prime Minister, Head Of Government Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute has saluted the initiative of partnership spearheaded by the ICT university and its Brazilian counterpart to boost Agriculture in Cameroon.
The Prime Minister was speaking Yesterday. This was during an audience he granted the President and founder of the ICT University, Prof Victor Mbarika and the Brazilian delegation.During the audience, PM Dion Ngute was categorical that the partnership will go a long to boost the Agricultural sector and create jobs for many Cameroonians. The PM also called on them to meticulously follow the guidelines of the project that is touched lighted by President Paul Biya’s vision to modernize the agricultural sector in Cameroon.
The Prime Minister also assured the delegation of the full support of government to modernise agriculture in the country.
The Head of the Brazilian delegation Prof Flavio Henrique Vasconcelos De Medeiros of the UFLA University underpinned that they are using this partnership to join forces with the ICT University in order to enhance Agriculture in Cameroon and Africa.
He said: ” We are a long term University when it comes to agriculture for the past 100 years now. Our goal is to combine forces so in all the different domains we cover”.
Prof Flavio added that: “With Cameroon and the popularity the ICT University already has, we can use this project to benefit the whole of Africa in terms of training, giving power to the young entrepreneurs”.
Prof Flavio as well underscored that the enthusiasm he has experienced since his arrival to the country is one that can push the project through.He said “I was impressed with the zeal I saw in the young people with this partnership we will establish cooperation that is going to set an example to the whole world”.
Prof Mbarika on his part said the project seeks to go beyond the local style of agriculture to delve into technical agriculture with the use of modern technology. The goal he said, is to employ 10000 young Cameroonians within five years.
He said: “We are launching digital agriculture because many young Cameroonians think Agriculture is for old and poor people but we want to demonstrate that with Artificial intelligence and robotics we can do Agriculture not only for local consumption but for major exportation”.
About Project
The Agricampus-500-ICT-U project is an innovative initiative by ICT University aimed at promoting digital agriculture and entrepreneurship among students in Cameroon.
The project has a five-year budget of 996 million FCFA and is expected to generate revenues of 830 million FCFA.
Project Objectives
The project seeks to train 10,000 students in digital agriculture over five years that will enable easily integrate the socio-economic landscape of not only Cameroon but Africa at large ,develop practical skills in agricultural production, processing, and marketing, foster entrepreneurship and job creation in rural areas and enhance food security and nutrition in Cameroon
Project Components
The first is Digital Agriculture integrates ICTs, artificial intelligence, and agricultural robotics, practical Training students work on 0.125-hectare micro-plots to apply theoretical knowledge, mini Local Processing Unit that adds value to harvest and strengthens the local value chain.
There is also incubation of Agro-Entrepreneurial Projects that is to supports 500 rural microenterprises
The project has received endorsement from the Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, who recognizes its potential to address youth employment, professional agricultural training, and food sovereignty in Cameroon
