Objectives and Strategies
OBJECTIVES
*B The purpose of the Centre is to implement and coordinate research in agriculture and development macroeconomics. The Centre initiates research in the fields of agriculture and development economics and keeps abreast with the most recent domestic and international developments in agriculture and development economics. To this effect, the Centre will comprise of four key departments.
*B The Centre maintains data bases for small businesses and farm holdings. This is important in an environment in which operational records are not kept for most subsistence production activities.
*B The Centre provides assistance in areas of production techniques, marketing, financial and management analysis to agricultural holdings, small and medium-size businesses in Cameroon.
*B The Centre promotes information sharing and provide an effective mechanism to keep in touch with the rapidly growing frontier of knowledge through a more rationalised contact by experts in Cameroon with those in other regions of the World.
*B The Centre strengthens the ability of local institutions develop strategies, make policy, and implement plans for sustainable development.
*B The Centre assists policy-makers at all levels of government and the public to set goals, identify targets, assess progress, and communicate with constituencies and stakeholders.
*B The Centre ensures that its communication, publication and outreach program activities effectively identify, reach, inform and persuade relevant audiences of the need to incorporate better welfare and economic information into policies and plans.
STRATEGIES
*B Support and help improve small businesses and conduct development assistance by providing lessons learned from CIDR's research and consulting services.
*B CIDR's strategies for achieving the objectives involve working in partnership with selected institutions and carrying out a combination of collaborative field-work, research and analysis, and communication and dissemination activities designed to contribute directly to better understanding and strengthening of rural welfare policy-making and planning processes by leading local and international NGO's involved.
*B Contribute to the strength local institutions to develop and carry out natural resources management strategies, policies, and plans for sustainable Development.
*B Document, communicate and disseminate the knowledge gained from socio-economic research activities to public and private organisations in Cameroon, the international development community and the concerned regional NGOs.
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Programmes
"" CIDR....Cameroon's Premier Agro-economic Research Centre""
Training opportunities are provided for bee-keeping, tree growing, tree nursery management, artisanal fishing, modern dairy and animal rearing. Training activities are also carried out on issues relating to book-keeping, business inventory and financial analysis. The Centre assumes a leading role and work with collaborators within, and external to the Southwestern Region of Cameroon to provide assistance and support that fosters informed, participative and sustainable management of natural (humans, flora and fauna), environmental and cultural resources throughout Cameroon.
The CIDR initiates symposia and invites public lectures from leading scholars and professionals in the field of Rural Development and Rural Welfare.
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Research/Publications
""Cameroon's Premier Agro-economic Research Centre""
As part of its mission, the CIDR's research activity is oriented toward the development of knowledge to support training and technical assistance activities. It delivers innovative and effective research, technical assistance, and decision support services that build human and institutional capacity and promote sustainable economic and social development throughout Cameroon. Within this framework, our research provides a rigorous analysis and perspective on economic policy issues of Cameroon and the Developing World. We study major issues affecting Cameroon in search for an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of public policies. Our research studies thus allows us to serve as a bridge between the Government, the private sector, the academia and the general public.
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*B MAJOR RESEARCH-COOPERATION http://agriculture.tusk.edu/SFOTTA/Small_farmers.htm
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ON GOING RESEARCH STUDIES CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO PRINCIPAL THEMES OF RESEARCH
*B DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS & RURAL WELFARE STUDIES
1. "Optimal Adjustment of Agricutural Investments, Income Diversification and Household Food Security in Rural Cameroon".
*B FARM AND SMALL FIRM MANAGEMENT & PRODUCTION ECONOMICS STUDIES
2. "Economic Optimization of Crop Enterprises in Food Crop Farms in Cameroon".
3. "Economic Efficiency and Technical Progress in Rice Production in Cameroon".
*B AGRIBUSINESS & AGRICULTURAL MARKETING STUDIES
4. "Spatial Price Transmission and Asymmetry in Rice Marketing In Cameroon".
*B AGRO-ECONOMIC POLICY PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION STUDIES
5. "Agricultural Policy Reforms and Livestock Production in Cameroon".
*B NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT STUDIES
*B ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSEMENT STUDIES
6. "Private Domestic Investment, Overseas Remittances and Poverty Alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-country comparative analysis. A RESEARCH-COOPERATION http://asc.leidenuniv.nl/index640.html with the African Studies Centre (ASC)Leiden, Netherlands.
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Further information on CIDR is also available from the CIDR's bi-annual magazine RURAL ECHOES, which focuses on international developments on the field of poverty reduction research and also on the national activities at CIDR-Cameroon.
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Departments
CIDR..."Working With the People Towards Poverty Alleviation and Reduction"
To pursue CIDR's objectives, four key Departments work interdependently with each other.
*B Department of Statistical Survey and Microeconomics Research
This department is primarily concerned with research related to agricultural management and production economics. The department analyses and extends information concerning the economic interrelations within the agriculture and small-business firms in order to support extension work and improve the basis for management decisions in the country.
The department performs statistical analysis on representative samples of agricultural holdings in order to produce information on the economic conditions of agriculture and small-businesses in Cameroon.
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*B Department of Macroeconomics and Policy Research
The Department is concerened with the economics of the agricultural sector or branches thereof in relation to the Cameroon economy in general, and in an international perspective. Apart from carrying out specific research projects, the aim is to follow developments in the agricultural sector and provide information to be used in relation to agricultural economic and political questions.
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*B Department of Agricultural Consulting and Commodity Trading
This Department carries out survey, financial analysis, inventory and feasibility survey studies for existing and prospective would-be entrepeneurs in both agricultural (poultry, pig, cash-crop farm investments, etc.) and other areas of modern economic investment. Business and farm consulting services are performed on a cost recovery basis. The CIDR helps local farmers and small business proprietors to improve their resource-use efficiency and increase farm output at a lower cost, than previously.
The Department also carries out both the sale of modern farm equipments and inputs (fertiliser, pesticides etc.) and provides services of grading and trading of commodities such as cocoa, coffee, banana, oil palm, etc. Produce from local small farmers are prepared for marketing and exportation.
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*B Department of Education and Training
This Department provides Farm and Small Business Management Training Services to the public. This is not a school to obtain diplomas. It is aimed at providing short courses and training on modern business managment techniques to individuals who wish to be entrepreneurs.
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*B The Economic Intelligence and Information Dissemination Unit
This unit is responsible for the publishing and popularization of the activities of the CIDR. It takes charge of the publication of the bi-annual newsletter CAMEROON CHRONICLE. It is also responsible for agriculture and economic information dissemination via local radio programmes.
CIDR http://expage.com/Cidr ""The Gateway to Poverty Alleviation and Reduction""
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Staff and Partners
DIRECTOR
*B Dr E.L. Molua http://www.expage.com/emolua
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TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
*B Dr Cletus Chi (Climatologist)
*B Dr Henderson Tiku (Human Resource Economist)
*B Sissinus Akoh (Landscape Architect)
*B Dr Joel Utomakili (Agricultural Economist)
*B Levis Cheussom (Soil Scientist)
*B Mr Frank Ngoh (Agronomist)
*B R. Molua (Economist)
*B Sammy Lyonga (Geologist)
*B Julius Chupezi (Forester)
*B Benjamin Ngane (Forester)
*B Irene Molua (Environmental Engineer)
*B Samuel Taka (Agricultural Economist)
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FIELD ASSISTANTS
*B Fred Mokake
*B Peter Elio Njie
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CLERICAL STAFF
*B Benice NYAMBOLI
*B Hannah MBWAYE
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CHAUFFEURS
*B Tobias NGANJE
*B Likeve Z. MBWAYE
*B Paul BASSOK
*B Chrysanthus AZEH
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SECURITY PERSONEL
*B Simon NGU
*B Franklin NYARKO
*B Julius NEBA
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Contact
Economic Development Research and Agricultural Consulting without Borders
General inquiries may be directed to
CIDR-CAMEROON
P.O.BOX 58 BUEA
SOUTHWEST PROVINCE
CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA
E-Mail: [email protected]
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Links
"Poverty is like living in jail, living under bondage, waiting to be free"
In pursuing its objectives, the CIDR works in partnership with selected institutions, leading local and international NGO's in carrying out a combination of collaborative field-work. Co-operation programmes in research and analysis, communication and information dissemination are designed to contribute directly to better the understanding and strengthen rural welfare policy-making.
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*B International Research http://www.drc.org.nz/devaidorg.html#Institutes Centres
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*B International Agriculture http://www.cgiar.org/centers.htm Research Centres
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*B International Development http://www.drc.org.nz/devaidorg.html#United Centres
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*B International Non-Govermental http://www.drc.org.nz/devaidorg.html#NGOs Organisations
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*B Aid Agencies http://www.drc.org.nz/devaidorg.html#Country
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VACANCY
"As the state sector contracts, employment opportunities are evaporating."
This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Application from qualified women candidates are encouraged.
Professional experience in statistical analysis of data relating to economics and agriculture is essential. Experience in maintenance of large computerized databases and application of statistical software packages.
Working knowledge of English and French. Ability to write and to present statistical materials lucidly and effectively. Good knowledge of national and international statistical sources. Good knowledge of main application software particularly spreadsheet software. Ability to carry out research and summarize and interpret findings in statistical terms. Courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds. Willingness and ability to effectively use work processing and office technology equipment.
Qualifications and experience -
A minimum qualification of a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Statistics is desirable.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the Chief Researcher and Consultant, he/she will assist in the development and implementation of the work programmes of the Service. More specifically to:
carry out statistical analysis of household and agricultural data;
develop and maintain the computerized databases;
assist in the preparation of household income and agricultural indicators including the related socio-economic and demographic components;
participate in methodological work concerning the development of statistical methods and standards for the collection and analysis of food and agricultural statistics;
contribute to various analytical and technical reports pertaining to food and agricultural statistics;
assist in the preparation of the statistical publications produced by CIDR;
provide technical guidance to clerical staff;
perform other related duties as required by CIDR.
Salary offer is negotiable.
Deadline for Application: Complete application package comprising of University diplomas, CV, hand-written application and three letters of reference should reach the CIDR headquaters in Buea by the 27th of October 2002, at noon.
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News News News News News News News
""After One Good Harvest, We Need Three More to Return to Normal"
B Latest-News-on-CIDR's-Activities http://www.expage.com/cidr9c
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*B NEWS FROM CAMEROON
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The Secretary General in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Bernard Nwana was in the Bambili neighborhood recently where he graduated a new breed of Agricultural technicians and Senior technicians from the Regional School of Agriculture and the Technical School of Agriculture. The privileged few who qualified to obtain diplomas were reminded of their mission once on the field. Virtually everybody who was around to cheer the graduands reminded them of their priority to serve thousands of individual farmers so that they must adopt new agric. techniques with confidence.
The Director of the Regional College of Agriculture, Clement Gwanyama took time off during the event to sound-off about the quality of products from the institutions, and said RCA and TSA Bambili are veritable nurseries for the training of students into farmers, entrepreneurs and extension staff for government services and Non governmental organisations. Gwanyama challenged the graduands to rime to expectation and be an effective two way liaison between extension and research and other agricultural establishments. In the short and long of it, the Secretary General in the Ministry of Agriculture jumped for joy when he was informed that potentials in both institutions are encouraging with government to thank for support. He had warm words for staff of both institutions and promised greater attention this time around in budgetary allocations to give RCA and TSA Bambili a chance.
Training in both schools is a combination of theoretical courses on vocational training and practicals.
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The 6th board of administrators meeting of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development which held in Yaounde yesterday ushered in a new dawn on research in the country. With a budget of CFA 4,133,263,400 frs, administrators and researchers were once more confident that they would be able to find the muscle to carry out both laboratory and field projects to increase agricultural yields.
Board chairman, Abdoulaye Babale challenged researchers to the task, alluding to the link of research and development. In this vein, research results rather than aiming outrightly at academic exploits would henceforth be geared towards the needs of investors and other economic actors. But this would be a futile attempt he remarked, if there is no feed back which he said, must guide researchers in drawing up their programmes.
No doubt the board chairman described the funds from the World Bank and the African Development bank as vital for the new dynamism introduced into research. As it stands, both financial institutions have made available a financial package worth CFA 2,675 millions (65 per cent of the entire budget) while the State is channelling CFA 1,454 million into what is considered an ambitious research programme for 2000/2001. That probably accounts for the reason a large slice of the pie, over CFA 1,827 frs will be set aside for the programme while provision is being mode for over CFA 1,611 to up-date infrastructure and a meagre CFA 693,952 frs for running cost. As a booster, IRAD finances are being augmented as it benefits from payments of staff salaries through the Ministry of the Economy and Finance and some co-operation research projects.
Apart from financial obligations, the board examined reports of scientific activities undertaken in the course of the 1999/2000 fiscal year as well as the programme of activities for the fiscal year just beginning. In the words of the board chairman, the exercise would enable IRAD move on into a higher gear in its effort at contributing to the development of the country. That is why he said, the staff within the new dispensation would have to put in more. Particular mention was made to the inclusion of part of the activities of the 1999 /2000 programme which were not entirely carried out. The plea which came from the Director General, Ayuk Takem Jacob was situated within the financial squeeze IRAD had been experiencing before the relief from donor institutions.
In the trend of redynamising IRAD, the board also handed some promotion files for meritorious staff. Read-More...http://www.expage.com/cidr12b
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*B Economics-and-Development-News http://www.expage.com/cidr12c
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*B Local-News http://www.expage.com/cidr9b
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Indigenous Entrepreneurs
CIDR..."Working With the People Towards Poverty Alleviation and Reduction"
*B Tourism http://www.expage.com/IITAC
*B Catering-Services http://www.expage.com/ICSC
*B Agribusiness-1 http://www.expage.com/IAFC
*B Agribusiness-2 http://www.gastronomy.com/gourmet/coffee/index.html
*B Technology http://www.vstore.com/vstorecomputers/fakoelectronics/
*B Education http://www.expage.com/page/camerooneducationcorporation
*B Cameroon-Investment-Opportunities http://www.unido.org/ssites/inv/investopps/countries/Cameroon/navigator.htmls
*B Indigenous-People-and-Resource-Conflict http://www.bakwerilands.org/
"""Poverty is like heat. You cannot see it. To know poverty, you have to go through it..."""
"""If you have no relatives among high government officials, people treat you as second rate. If you have any problems with your business, or get in trouble with the police, you will lose your case and won't have your problems resolved. Those who have power and money will always win...""
"""Nobody is able to communicate our problems. Who represents us? Nobody..."""
"""A better life for me is to be healthy, peaceful and to live in love without hunger. Love is more than anything. Money has no value in the absence of love...""
"""Sometimes they will help you, sometimes not. First they will look at your face in order to decide if they will help you... if it pleases them...if you don't go with money (to bribe them), then they don't help you... This has been going on forever.This is why poor people cannot get help..."""
"""He's lying to the people. There's no roads, no money or food, yet he'll build a huge villa.When was the last time any improvements were made here?""""
"""Everyday I am afraid of the next"""
"""If you don't have money today, your disease will take you to your grave,"""
"""Before everyone could get healthcare, but now everyone just prays to God that they don t get sick because everywhere they just ask for money."""
"""If you don t know anyone, you will be thrown to the corner of a hospital!"""
"""In the hospitals they don t provide good care to the indigenous people like they ought to, because of their illiteracy they treat them badly they give us other medicines that are not for the health problem you have...""""
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