The Minister of Scientific Research, Madelein Tchuinte, was joined at the inauguration by the Governor of the West Region, Augustine Awa Fonka, and the President of the West Regional Council, Dr Jules Hilaire Foka Foka.

The inauguration of the new branch of the Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD) took place last week. It was accompanied by the distribution of agricultural equipment. The opening of this branch in Bayangam, in the Koung-Khi division of the West region, will contribute to the development of agricultural production in the region.

IRAD Bayangam will specialise in the production of potatoes. This will provide opportunities not only in terms of employment, but also in supplying the agri-food industry with this much sought-after crop. This specialisation is based on scientific parameters that were presented by the Resident Representative of IITA in Cameroon and the Director General of IRAD. The high altitude required to grow quality potatoes was one of the reasons given.

The Bayangam branch of IRAD is attached to the Bangangté station of IRAD. It reflects a desire for specialisation that takes into account the environmental characteristics of Cameroon’s agro-ecological zones.