The Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development, who doubles as the Initiator, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Frontier Agro Industrial Programme-FAINAP has disclosed a vast strategy to develop the unique diversity of Donga Mantung through agro pastoral activities.

Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry made the statement in Nkambe on March 22 during a groundbreaking ceremony with partners and stakeholders.

According to Dr. Fuh Calistus, FAINAP's vision is geared towards developing Donga Mantung with emphasis laid on encouraging large scale production, transformation and the development of agro industries. These actions, he added will also ensure that storage facilities, marketing channels and branding is carried out to instill growth and stability.

Harping on the promotion of second generation agriculture, Minister Fuh Calistus disclosed that they have targeted to increase maize production in the Division to 300.000 tons per year on about 50.000 ha.

In addition to the maize sector, FAINAP CEO also revealed that strategies have been put in place to increase Pal oil to 150 tons and 20.000 ha of new farm land would be developed. To kick-start the process, FAINAP shared 2 tons of improved maize seeds to farmers to encourage the development of maize clusters while in the months ahead, maize seed multiplication farm will be established in Ako and the Mbaw plain.

The seed farms are expected to boost maize production as well as encourage second cycle maize farming in the Division. He used the opportunity to express thanks and appreciations to FAINAP partners such as PIDMA, PRO-COM-PH, IRAD, ACEFA, AFGRILAND, AGT and the National Maize Programme amongst others.

On his part the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard congratulated FAINAP and its partners for their efforts in promoting second generation agriculture in the Division. He called on the beneficiaries to use the support for the purpose that it was intended. Agriculture, he emphasized is the backbone of the economy.

On the other hand, the National Coordinator of PIDMA, (World Bank) sponsored programme hailed FAINAP for its efforts in promoting large scale production. Ngue Bissa Thomas said PIDMA could be indifferent in this strive reasons why his structure supported FAINAP with 1 ton of improved maize seeds.

"We are ready and looking forward to work with FAINAP in setting cooperatives in the Division. And we are also ready to give more support to make sure that this programme succeeds. Donga Mantung has the rich ecological potentials to produce the desired results", he told journalists.

It should be noted that the Frontier Agro Industrial Programme seeks to also introduce mechanized agriculture in the Division with prospects of establishing clusters and production basins. The idea is to establish a functional industrial zone with diversified industries linked to the maize, oil palm and diary sectors. As the Mayor of Nkambe Council, Ngabir Paul Bantar puts it, there is no other way to go industrial than to go agricultural.

The Mayor of Ndu, Bunyui Emmanuel warned that FAINAP is apolitical and frowned at the fact that someone wanted to use the exercise to gain political points.

This is due to the fact that a dance group from Binju was dressed in CPDM outfit. He said development should be void of such tendencies given that it may scarce potential partners.