To the end of the world and back: Lomie, Cameroon and why I'm in West Africa.

There are so many things I could write about from the past week that it was difficult to determine exactly what I should focus this blog post on. I mean, I could write about my new found appreciation for running water (let alone warm water), clean bed sheets, internet, and paved roads…. But, I’m sure a lot of you out there are wondering what exactly it is I’m doing in Cameroon!? So first and foremost, I will attempt to answer this question.

 

In my first post on this blog, I discussed how I am working with the Campo Ma’an Model Forest (which again, is not an actual “thing”, but more a decision making approach… just to confuse you all more!), but am working on a project called B-ADAPT: Eco-Agricultural Business for Adaptation to Changes in Climate. This is a 14 month project, financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (rest in peace, CIDA!). The first phase of the project worked with agricultural producers to increase production through improved seeds and natural bio fertilisers. It also changed planting techniques through growing specific plant species (for example, corn and peanuts) together.  

 

The second phase of the product is looking to create profits from the increased crop production to finance the project long-term (as the seeds and bio fertilisers are not cheap), beyond the end of the CIDA funding. This is where I come in (cue theme music)! As a Market Study and Value Chain Advisor, I will be looking at the various products, transportation chains, demands, linkages etc. and making recommendations. This work will involve me visiting and consulting with local communities, comparing product prices at different markets, conducting interviews etc. all in my broken French…. Bring on the field work!

 

Tomorrow, I at long-last (provided things don’t change, which it seems around here they do often!) head to Kribi where I will be living for the next 5.5 months. Stay tuned for photos from my new neighbourhood!

 

But, for now… here are some photos from the past week, which I spent in Lomie for a 5 day workshop for the B-Adapt project:



Enroute to Lomie, we stopped at the production site for the natural bio fertilisers. Above, millet is being planted in the prepared soil, sand, and mycelium mixture.

Above: Views in Lomie.

Above: Aysha and Luc on one of many strolls through the "neighbourhood".  

 

The bulk of my time in Lomie was spent inside for a five day workshop. Timeline mapping is pictured above; an activity which gave me flash backing to EAO LEAN training (eep!).  



Note: the title for this blog post comes from Suzanne's quote last week: "Going to Lomie, it's like going to the end of the world". This was said in reference to the roughly maybe ~150km from Abong Abong (where the paved road ends) to Lomie, which takes an average 5-8 hours to drive. Expect this number to increase dramatically during rainy season, as the road is basically just muddy pot holes. This results in a very isolated, but also beautiful town.

Much love!
- C