Bonanyang and Teze Agricultural Input and Access Program
In Bonanyang and Teze, two communities affected by displacement, overgrown vegetation had left main access roads in poor condition, cutting residents off from markets, farms, health facilities, schools and humanitarian services. Recognizing that safe, functional roads are the backbone of community recovery, ISDI stepped in with a community-based, participatory and environmentally responsible roadside vegetation-control intervention, one of the completed activities under our Agricultural Finance & Inputs Access program.
The intervention began with people, not products. Community leaders and representative structures from both villages were consulted from the outset, ensuring the purpose of the intervention was clearly understood, priority road sections agreed upon, and roles and responsibilities clarified with deliberate attention paid to the inclusive participation of women, youth and other community groups.
ISDI’s technical team assessed the identified road sections and mapped sensitive areas such as drinking-water sources, streams, farms, homes and schools to determine exactly where herbicide use was appropriate, and where manual or mechanical clearing was the safer choice instead.
Only once that groundwork was in place did ISDI provide the two communities with legally approved, appropriate herbicides, together with necessary protective equipment and safe-handling information. Before any product changed hands, selected community members received hands-on training in safe application, environmental protection, emergency precautions, and proper storage and disposal. Community representatives also attended a dedicated working session on herbicide use, after which products were formally handed over and acknowledgment receipts signed.
ISDI’s technical team committed to periodically monitoring road conditions, vegetation-control effectiveness, community participation, environmental safeguards, and unintended effects. The executive committees of the Village Development Associations in both communities were supported to establish ongoing maintenance mechanisms. The result is a meaningful step toward reconnecting displacement-affected communities in Bonanyang and Teze to the markets, farms, health facilities, schools and humanitarian services they depend on.
Empowering Farmers Through Organic Farming
ISDI is committed to strengthening sustainable agriculture by equipping farmers with practical knowledge and skills that improve productivity while protecting the environment. As part of this commitment, ISDI organized a participatory training program for farmers in Leboudi-Okola Subdivision, Leki Division, Centre Region of Cameroon, focusing on organic farming and organic manure production.
The training responded to growing demand for organic food and the need for farmers to understand sustainable production practices, including organic manure preparation, soil fertility management, pest and disease control, water management and environmentally friendly farming techniques. Participants learned to identify locally available materials such as crop residues, kitchen waste, market waste, animal manure, weeds and other organic resources and transform them into valuable agricultural inputs.
Practical demonstrations included composting, vermicomposting, liquid manure and Bokashi production, as well as appropriate manure application techniques. The training used a participatory and demonstration-based approach, allowing farmers to share experiences, ask questions and develop practical solutions to their farming challenges.
The program also introduced participants to Cameroon’s emerging legal framework for organic farming and emphasized sustainable production, biodiversity conservation, food safety and market opportunities. Through such initiatives, ISDI continues to empower farmers with innovative, affordable and environmentally sustainable practices that contribute to improved soil health, agricultural productivity, food security and resilient livelihoods.