Flavien KOUATCHA: the engineer who proposes aquaponics to revive agriculture in Cameroon

Article written by LeBled
Thanks to this new innovative technique, Cameroonians will now be able to practice agriculture with greater ease.
“The powers of tomorrow will be those that have understood the major role of agriculture in economic growth,” said Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). This assertion, supported by other international organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), amply demonstrates the place of agriculture at the highest summit of nations. Apart from oil and energy, which are considered as key factors in the development of countries, agriculture is now considered the most reliable wealth to support sustainable development.

Africa is the richest and most prolific continent according to Ban Ki Moon’s statements on agricultural potentials. African soil is very rich because it concentrates the most minerals able to provide food, good growth. Despite this proven potential, the black continent has not yet managed to take off to hobble the world’s largest economies. The agronomists attribute this situation to a bad general policy of local governments.

Cameroon, like most of Africa’s major agricultural reserves, still can not find the best alternative to get their agriculture out of the rut. The country should strengthen its productive capacity to make its economy even more competitive while meeting the needs of the subregion for the supply of basic necessities. This approach involves not only an increase in the volume of production, but also the implementation of innovative strategies in culture.

Flavien Kouatcha – DR
A young Cameroonian engineer takes things in hand

When the Cameroonian head of state called the youth during his last speech on February 11, to more involvement in what he called “a sector of wealth”, he was probably not yet aware that they were already in action. There are so many of these young people who attacked this sector very early on. All areas are explored by these young people on the quest for revolution.

Flavien Kouatcha is among these young engineers who understood the issues of this sector that is considered the future of the nation. General engineer passionate about agriculture and founder of “Save Our Agriculture” (a start-up that advocates for the promotion of agriculture), this young native from the West in Bamileke country has already left to be on the list of leaders in creation. After training at the UCAC-ICAM Institute, this young person decided to return to his country of origin to participate in its emergence. He will set his bags in several companies at Jovago.com where he practices as chief public relations officer. The passion for the agricultural community will cause him to resign to definitely embark on this adventure he calls “my pride”.

Aquaponics is how he decided to name this innovative technique of culture. It is a form of integrated aquaculture that combines a plant culture in symbiosis with fish farming. It is the droppings of fish that serve as fertilizer for the cultivated plant. Clearly, it is an innovative technique of culture that will reinvigorate agriculture in the country of Paul Biya. This technique has already found its way elsewhere, particularly in Asia where it is well integrated, but also in Europe where it is still in the experimental phase. This young person hopes to significantly increase vegetable production in a first resort, allow individuals to grow their herbs at home and provide a solution to the logistical problem that still sends a good proportion of Cameroonian agricultural products to waste.

© Simon Mbelek, Correspondence