The partnership deal between the United Agro-pastoral Farmers and LSA was reached in 2023. According to the agreement, LSA Seed Potatoes, a leader in potato seed production in France, would deliver quality seeds to meet the demands of the Cameroon market.
In November 2023, LSA Seed Potatoes representative, Asserrar Hafid met with his Cameroonian counterparts in Cameroon to discuss the deal.
“We discussed so many possibilities for how we can boost potato production in Cameroon with improved seed. LSA is a very good company that produces quality F1 seed, and remember that in the history of our country since the crisis started in the Anglophone regions, the research centre IRAD stopped working on some of these seeds, so this was the only way for us to maintain good potato production in the country,” Mogou Christopher, the founder of United Agro-pastoral Farmers Cooperative, told CNA.
The LSA based in France, is said to also support farmers by providing them with technical follow-up to boost potatoes farming.
“And LSA Seed Potatoes is not only supplying you seeds; the company follows you to the field to know the problems you’re facing and give you the best advice you need.” Mogou said.
On April 3, 2024, the United Agropastoral farmers Cooperative, Common Initiative Group, visited the Douala Sea Port to retrieve the first consignments of potatoes seeds from LSA. They are expected to make their first experiment with the 26 tonnes delivered from France.
“Diamant is a variety already registered in Cameroon so in this 26 tonnes, we have 22 tonnes of Diamant
Then, with other different samples that’s included for our farmers to test, these are Selena, Dounia, Lilia, Kenza, and Najah,” he revealed.
LSA Seed Potatoes is also aiming to expand its African presence by fostering a partnership with United Agro-pastoral Farmers Cooperative, whereby a team member would be appointed as technical adviser for Africa, CNA learned.
The United Agro-pastoral Farmers Cooperative is the only CIG in Cameroon that cultivates potatoes in large quantities, amounting to about 800 tonnes per year.
Santa, Mezam in North West region, based on the Common Initiative Group, has expanded its reach in the West region and can boost of tonnes of seeds for farmers.
The cooperative said it was also grateful for the help offered by the Ministry of Agriculture, which signed its permit to import foreign seeds into Cameroon.
“The government has also been a good partner because they facilitated the paper work for us. We appreciate government efforts to see that Cameroonian farmers have potato seeds through our efforts,” Mogou said.
