The South West Regional Chief of Sector for Cocoa Development Corporation, SODECAO, Nkemteba John Nanveh, says the state corporation is set to distribute 150,000 high-performance cocoa seedlings to farmers in the region for the 2026/2027 farming season.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Nanveh said SODECAO’s presence in the South West is a major boost for cocoa farmers in Kupe Muanenguba and beyond. He represents the corporation’s management in the region from his Tombel base.
Outlining SODECAO’s core missions, Nanveh said the corporation focuses on producing and distributing disease-free planting materials, creating nurseries to rehabilitate old farms, and replacing unproductive cocoa trees.
Other objectives include opening farm-to-market roads, protecting orchards through technical support and input distribution, and building the capacity of smallholder farmers.
“We structure farmers into cooperatives and train them on fermentation, drying, and storage,” he explained. “We also promote intensive agroforestry to prevent deforestation and encourage local processing and marketing.”
On opportunities for South West farmers, Nanveh cited the constant availability of high-performance seedlings from SODECAO nurseries, plus technical expertise for field monitoring, supervision, and farm management guidance.
Though cocoa remains its main activity, SODECAO also supports plantain multiplication, rural infrastructure like roads and water supply, cooperative capacity building, and marketing support for farmers.
For the 2025 farming season, Nanveh confirmed that government has subsidized seedlings to ease costs. “With just 50 FCFA, a farmer gets a seedling. Private nurseries sometimes sell for over 350 FCFA,” he said.
Addressing price volatility, he urged farmers to stay resilient, work with SODECAO field staff, adopt good management practices, and avoid pre-financing deals with local buyers.
“Demand for cocoa beans will rise sharply,” Nanveh predicted. “More processing factories are opening and climate change is cutting supply. Prices will get better than the 2023/2024 season. I’ve studied the traceability trend.”
He hailed the efforts of SODECAO Director General and Deputy Director Enang James Enang, saying their goal is to ensure farmers benefit fully from a sector that drives Cameroon’s GDP.
“Farmers should take advantage of SODECAO’s services for their communities and the country,” Nanveh added.
By Olive Ejang
