Organic Potato Production in Cameroon
The Green Innovation Centers (GIC) programme of the GIZ in Cameroon has been promoting income generating and food security improving interventions that raise the incomes and food security of smallholder farmers through the implementation of innovations and good agricultural practices in key value chains such as potato. Efforts have been made to improve the production systems and crop management for higher yields and better quality of potatoes, as well as improving storage and processing of the tubers.
The efforts made so far mainly focused on conventional agricultural practices such as the appropriate use of mineral fertilisers and chemical sprays, but there is growing interest in sustainable organic farming practices and increasing demand for organic products in Africa. As part of the consortium (IFOAM, Naturland and FiBL) supporting Cameroon and other GICs with practical recommendations, techniques and skills for sustainable organic potato production, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL has developed this training manual on organic potato production for use by the Cameroon GIC and its partners. The materials are intended to provide trainers, lead farmers and farmers with information on basic approaches and relevant practices for potato production in a sustainable organic way, improving harvests with little external inputs, and improving product quality.
This manual builds on information from the technical guide for trainers on potato learning farms published in 2017 by the Green Innovation Centers for the Food and Agricultural Sector (ProCISA), expertise of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, feedbacks of experts in Switzerland, Germany and Cameroon, especially Herve Bouagnimbeck from the Groupement d’appui pour le développement durable (GADD) as well as on-sight impressions and interviews with farmers and local partners, and additional written sources.
Responsible authors: Gilles Weidmann, Irene Kadzere, Paul van den Berge, Lina Tennhardt (all FiBL)
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