Farmers in the South West region of Cameroon joined their peers worldwide to celebrate International Cooperatives Day under the theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All.”
The event, held on July 6th, emphasized the crucial role of cooperatives in the region’s economic development, particularly in the aftermath of the Anglophone Crisis.
The celebration was presided over by Jackson Ntapi, the Regional Delegate for Agriculture and Rural Development, who underscored the importance of cooperatives in achieving sustainable growth.
He highlighted their role in the ongoing efforts to rebuild the South West Region.
“This is the 102nd celebration of International Cooperatives Day. Especially after the crisis, we are rebuilding the South West region. We are counting on cooperatives to play a very active role. If we are involved in building, they will be involved in sharing the dividends that will come from the revamping of the South West region,” Ntapi stated.
The event featured a parade, educational talks, and interactive discussions.
Farmers pointed out socio-political unrest and high input costs as significant challenges.
The Regional President for Farmers, Ndedi Bao, expressed concerns about farmers being exploited by middlemen due to a lack of direct access to certain government services.
“Despite the government’s efforts to ease our work, some farmers rely on middlemen for operations, which often leads to exploitation. If the government could allocate about 5% of the state budget to agriculture, Cameroon would grow. If that is not done, we’ll still be a burden,” Bao said.
International Cooperatives Day traces its roots back to the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) in 1895.
The ICA has been instrumental in promoting and advocating for the cooperative movement worldwide.
The first International Cooperatives Day was celebrated in 1923 and has been observed annually since, on the first Saturday of July, to align with the ICA’s anniversary.
The day has become a significant occasion for cooperatives to showcase their impact, promote cooperative principles, and foster solidarity among members globally.
It highlights the ongoing commitment to advancing the cooperative movement and its role in building a more inclusive and sustainable society.
The celebration concluded with the presentation of certificates to deserving cooperatives, recognizing their contributions to the community.
