CMR/10/113 - Production of Soyabeans to improve the incomes of vulnerable people affected by HIV/AIDS

Objective: Promote sustainable self-development by making beneficiaries the initiators of their own development. This project aims to improve the status of the beneficiaries involving them in the development of the soybean industry, in the production of improved seed and in the processing of it.

Background: The Cameroonian government has limited resources to fight against the poverty of the population and the diffusion of HIV/AIDS, the cost of living is very dear in the country and unemployment is rampant, which leads to severe consequences in society: increased banditry, lightness and sexual prostitution. In terms of health, the difficulties are numerous; the number of people living with HIV is estimated at 543,294 in 2007 including 44,800 children. According to the National Committee to Fight against AIDS (CNLS), the increase rate of HIV / AIDS is 5.2% in men, 4.3% for women with an average at national level of 4.7%. This destabilizes many families and affects all social levels. Despite the efforts shown by the state to alleviate the suffering of people infected by HIV / AIDS, many families living in poverty are still very vulnerable. In the western region PIPAD conducts development activities which include the fight against poverty, hunger, awareness of HIV / AIDS and the continuous research for means to stop or fight the disease. Dr. Martin Sanou Sobze a Cameroonian medical doctor co-founder of PIPAD contacted the 1%Fund. Ms Egal (AGN) gave positive feedback on this project and on PIPAD. Mr Martin Sanou Sobze came to FAO to present the project, he would be financed by PIPAD to coordinate and supervise the activities. Prepared by Maria Grazia Bovo – 03 November 2010

Use of Funds: Produce 2 tons of good quality Soyabeans seeds, purchase 80 kg of seeds, equipment and three mills, process soybeans and improvement of the cultivation. The project duration is 24 months. At the beginning of the project 80 kg of basic seed of soybean will be planted in an area of 1 hectare to produce a yield of 2,000 kg of seed. In a second phase 200 beneficiaries will receive 8 kg each to produce about 1000 m² and may harvest 200 kg of soybeans. 8 kg x 200 persons equal 1600 kg of seed. Given the initial production of 2,000 kg of soybeans in the beginning, the remaining 400 kg will be used for testing and training sessions on the transformation and improvement of soybean. The beneficiaries will receive from PIPAD proper training and adequate monitoring to ensure the success of the operations. The beneficiaries will provide the land to cultivate, and labor. Phase 1: 80kg of seeds planted in 1 hectare to produce 2000 kg of seeds. Phase 2: 400 kg used for testing and training. 1600 kg of seeds distributed to 200 beneficiaries, each beneficiary receives 8 kg and after cultivation harvests 200 kg.

Beneficiaries: 200