The ongoing 4th edition of JERSIC offers much for visitors at exhibition stands.

The ongoing fourth edition of the Excellence Days for Scientific Research and Innovation (JERSIC 2013) organised by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI) is a rare opportunity for fine research results to be displayed for public viewing and buying. The exhibition village at the courtyard of the Yaounde City Council is filled with products from the numerous research institutes in the country as well as from ideal researchers.

From the Institute of Geological and Mining Research with cooking instruments to the National Centre for Education with strides in social sciences in the face of natural catastrophes through IRAD, the privileged partner of agricultural development actors and strategic tool of the government on food security issues, the products on display are eye-catching. Research results on banana, snails, guinea pigs, rabbits heavy-weight fowls high-yielding cassava plants that can fetch as much as 30-40 tons per hectare are also on display by the Agriculture Institute for Research and Development (IRAD). There are also fine local construction materials with the Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO) consisting micro-concrete roof tiles, extruded bricks, ganito concrete floor tiles, compressed earth blocs and fired bricks to engender sustainable development at minimised cost. The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is also around with research results on biological control without pesticides for environmental control, different cassava species as well as the acclimatisation of banana seedlings in a green house.

While big names are captivating visitors with innovations in the traditional research fields, some individual researchers and research institutes are also using the ongoing scientific research forum to showcase their prowess in one field or the other. This is the case of Anagho Gilbert Bame of the Mushroom Production, Training and Research Centre who is stealing the show with dried mushroom, mushroom power milk, mushroom instant pap and mushroom juice for cardiovascular diseases. The same holds for Ndonwi Derick Shu whose Link Corporation carries out research and hands final products developed to Cowrie Product for marketing. Here, there are products like Ginger Tea and Nam Hot Pepper prevent, control and treat diseases of heart, circulatory, respiratory and nervous and digestive systems.

While the exhibitions went on in the courtyard of the Yaounde City Council, other participants of JERSIC 2013 took part in workshops that centred around the theme of the show, "Scientific research and technology in the face of natural catastrophes in Cameroon: Challenges and Prospects." The event ends this Thursday with an award of excellence prizes.