The Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Ekona in Fako Division has a new Chief of Centre in the person of Dr.Ives Bruno Efombagn Mousseni.

Dr. Efombagn Mousseni was officially installed on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, by the Assistant Director General of IRAD, Joseph Moen Abedimo.

The Secretary General at the Southwest Governor’s office, Clement Fon Ndikum, presided over the ceremony.

The outgoing Chief of Centre, Dr. Kingsley Agbor Etchu, goes to Yaounde on promotion.

Dr. Efombagn, who was appointed on December 15, 2015, has a PhD in Genetics from the University of California and has since undertaken a series of trainings in France, USA, China and other countries.

Efombagn entered public service in 2002 as a Research Assistant in Nkolbison where he worked on a plant stimulant program and a cocoa and coffee research program.

He also served as Technical Supervisor for cocoa as well as Assistant National Coordinator for the national project on cocoa in 2011.

He is now in charge of many programs dedicated to the production of cocoa and coffee.

The Assistant Director General of IRAD charged the new Chief of Centre to promote development-oriented research.

“This region is very strategic as it is the bread basket. It is at the heart of cocoa and palm production. The Ekona branch of IRAD is very big and covers the Southwest, Littoral and the Maritime Division of the South Region,” said Moen Abedimo.

He stressed the need for respect of hierarchy especially the Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, administrative officials and the public in general, discipline, respect for public property and subordinates and ensure revenue-generating sources.

Dr. Kingsley Etchu told the new Chief of Centre, “The challenges are enormous because the farmers are expecting more from us as the years go by and we must stand up to this challenge. We have a duty to provide updated seeds to the farmers as their knowledge of good farming practices grow year by year. My first obstacle is this improved seeds projects.”