LARDIN trains over 100 Limbe farmers on food transformation to cut post-harvest losses
BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
Over 100 farmers from Limbe and surrounding areas have been trained on food transformation, value addition, and marketing as part of efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes.
The one-day training was organized by The Legacy Action and Royal Development Initiatives, LARDIN, on Friday, August 14, 2026 during its “First Annual Summit on Food Transformation Sectors and Economic Development” in Limbe.
Empowering Communities Through Agriculture LARDIN, an NGO founded by US-based Cameroonian Geraldine Musi, focuses on empowering communities, strengthening livelihoods, and creating opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Speaking on behalf of the CEO, LARDIN Vice President Marie Nji said the summit aligns with that mission.
“Our President extended warm greetings and thanked you for partnering in this vision to empower communities and improve livelihoods,” she told participants.
“Transform Agriculture Into Prosperity" Keynote speaker Joshua T. Berglan, a multimedia creator and social empowerment advocate, said while farmers are called “the richest people” globally, that is not the case in Cameroon.
“That is why LARDIN’s drive is to transform agriculture in Cameroon into prosperity,”_ Ms. Nji stated. Experts shared practical success stories.
Jean Louis, founder of BIME Coffee, said he started small by processing Arabica and Robusta coffee into finished products now sold in Cameroon and Germany.
“Don’t start big. Start small, get into the market, and grow. Quality and packaging are key,” he advised.
Cassava and Tomato farmers seek support
Flaubert Tido Tysayem, CEO of Tessa Agro Tech, demonstrated how cassava can be transformed into flour for garri, pastry products, fufu, and industrial starch. His company farms in Bimbia and processes in Mile II, Limbe. “We need equipment to move to industrial scale,” he said.
Farmers from Wotutu, Ewongo and Bonjongo the Southwest’s tomato basket lamented the lack of processing units. Middlemen buy cheap and resell at huge profits in Douala, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
“We sell a basket for FCFA 700. Sometimes 1,000, sometimes 2,500. We desperately need a tomato transformation unit,”_ said Shackcopin Mbu, President of Wututu Farmers.
Government officials hail initiative
Limbe I Mayor, Florence Eposi Mbwaye, applauded LARDIN. “This is what our community needs. When the Head of State calls for youth self-employment, LARDIN has put the tools in their hands. Let’s clap for LARDIN,” she said.
Also present were Esther Ashu, Fako Delegate of SMEs, and Esomba Jr. Mosongo, Delegate of Youth Affairs, who commended the initiative for empowering young people.
Berglan urged farmers to switch to WhatsApp Business to market processed goods globally, adding that Cameroon’s natural resources can drive major economic change if transformed. The summit ended with the presentation of certificates.
Closing on behalf of LARDIN’s President, Ms. Nji urged farmers to apply the lessons. LARDIN’s motto: “Together we can transform Agriculture into Prosperity.”
Cross of participants pose with organisers after the event
