MINADER Signs Protocol Agreement with AfricaRice and RVCDP to Boost Cameroon’s Rice Value Chain.

​The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) on Friday, 11 September 2026, signed a landmark Protocol Agreement valued at 246.7 million FCFA, (approximately 376,708 euros) with the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and the Rice Value Chain Development Project (RVCDP).

Director General AfricaRice & National Cordinator RVCDP at the Signing in Yaounde


The signing took place in the MINADER Conference Hall and was presided over by Mrs MBONG Grace, Secretary General, representing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. In her intervention, Mrs. MBONG Grace underlined the government’s commitment to modernizing agricultural value chains to improve local competitiveness and limit food imports. She urged project leadership to ensure the timely implementation of activities, stressing that the initiative must translate into concrete benefits for local farmers, processors, and artisans.



According to project officials, the agreement is expected to contribute to National Rice self-sufficiency, stimulate economic growth, and ultimately help increase household incomes in Cameroon.



Speaking during the event, Mr. Muluh Gregory Nguh, National Coordinator of the RVCDP, expressed appreciation to AfricaRice and the IsDB for their support. He said the partnership reflects continued momentum toward improving the rice value chain and expanding opportunities for stakeholders along the production and processing chain.



On his part, Project Agronomist, Mr Fuchi Thomas presented an overview of the project and the protocol’s scope.



In his remarks, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director General of AfricaRice, commended Cameroon’s efforts to advance food security and welcomed the IsDB’s backing. He also reaffirmed AfricaRice’s commitment to delivering results under the partnership.



The initiative will be coordinated through a joint Technical Working Group based in Bamenda and will apply a Reverse Linkage approach designed to transfer agricultural technology and expertise across four core pillars;

1. National Rice Seed System.   Strengthening seed production, quality testing, storage, and germplasm conservation.


2. Processing and Value Addition  Improving post-harvest technologies and skills to reduce losses and enhance market quality.


3. Local Equipment Fabrication.          Training artisans to locally manufacture specialized equipment, including rice threshers and GEM parboilers.

4. Institutional Technical Backstopping.  Providing targeted technical support to partners such as IRAD and UNVDA.


The two-year initiative is co-funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and AfricaRice, with the goal of strengthening Cameroon’s rice sector and reducing reliance on imports.

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