Cameroon
Capital: Yaoundé
Population: 18,060,382
Population below national poverty line: 48%
Bóthar in Cameroon:
Bóthar has been working in Cameroon since 1995. Bóthar has sent a number of airlifts to Cameroon throughout the years, the first airlift of 20 dairy heifers was sent from Ireland in August 1995, 1000 day old chicks were airlifted in June 1998 and 40 pigs were sent from Ireland in March 2000. When it has not been possible for Bóthar to airlift animals from Ireland, Bóthar has sourced animals in other countries to be airlifted to Cameroon. This included 60 dairy heifers in October 2004 and 70 dairy heifers in September 2004 from South Africa. Bóthar works with a number of animal species in Cameroon such as dairy cows, snails and honey bees.
Cameroon Project Profile
Project title:
Snail Production
Location: Kupe-Manenguba, Meme and Fako Divisions in South western Cameroon
Number of families: 322
Animals: 100,000 original placement snails
Other inputs: Funds to purchase equipment, seedlings, orchard tools, land and labour force
Training: Group development and management, improved snail production technology, cottage snail processing and sales promotion
Brief synopsis: This project, involving snails, is taking place in the South West and Littoral provinces. 322 farming families have been set up with snail farms and many have established orchards and vegetable gardens. HIV/AIDS awareness and voluntary testing are aslo taking place. Profits from the snails are such that one group has established a nursery and others have planted paw paws, calliandra and acacia.
Pass-on obligations: Each family is required to pass on what they received themselves.
Expected benefits: It is hoped that the families involved will see a 30-40% increase in income.
Co-financing partner(s): Heifer International
Local partner(s): Heifer Cameroon, Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Other relevant data: Giant snails are regarded as a delicacy in the region and as such will fetch a high price for the farmers.
