Economy

Centre Region: Gov’t hands over tractors to agricultural hubs to boost mechanised farming.

by Mercy Fosoh
11 Apr 2026 22:32
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MINEPAT official handing over of keys to beneficiary

The government has through the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, delivered tractors to two agricultural hubs in the country’s Centre Region.
The equipment, distributed as part of the government’s second-generation agriculture policy, is aimed at increasing output in maize and cassava while modernising farming practices.

The keys to the new agricultural machinery were handed over recently in Yaounde, in a ceremony presided over by the Inspector General in charge of services at MINEPAT, Jaël Christine Mbambande.

Beneficiaries included agropoles based in Ntui in the Mbam and Kim Division and Nkolmetet in the Nyong and So’o Division.

According to officials, the initiative targets private-sector agricultural projects focused on large-scale production and processing, with the aim of strengthening food supply and agro-industrial capacity.

In Ntui, the agropole received an 80-horsepower tractor, adding to two tractor kits previously supplied. The site had already benefited from the development of 120 hectares of land through ministry support.

With the new equipment, maize production is expected to rise sharply from 274 tonnes to 1,650 tonnes annually.

In Nkolmetet, known for its quality cassava production, two tractors of 100 and 80 horsepower were delivered, complete with ploughs, a pulveriser and a ridger.

The agropole is projected to increase its output from 600 to 800 tonnes per year, while expanding into processing cassava into bâton, starch and bakery-grade flour. An additional 20 hectares have also been developed there.

Speaking after receiving the equipment, Dominique Balla of the Ntui agropole expressed appreciation for the state’s support and pledged to extend the benefits to producers across his area.

Célestin Lucien Ndzana of the Nkolmetet agropole described the tractors as a major step forward in improving productivity.

“These engines are additional support to everything we already receive from the government. These tractors will enable us to move from traditional agriculture to intensive semi-mechanised farming. We will improve our yields and even our productivity,” Ndzana said.

According to the government, the move is designed to strengthen mechanisation in farming operations, reduce the physical burden of agricultural labour and make the sector more attractive and accessible, particularly to young people and women.

The provision of modern equipment is also expected to accelerate the transition from traditional farming methods to semi-mechanised and intensive production systems.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3754 of Wednesday April 08, 2026