Empower 10,000 Victims of Violence in Cameroon.

The ongoing project aimed at increasing local availability of safe, quality vegetables and empower conflict affected women and communities to enhance food security as well as achieving nutritional balance and poverty reduction.

Integrated Agricultural Association (IAA) significantly strengthened the country's food system in light of changing weather patterns and other challenges caused by the ongoing armed conflict in NW/SW regions and strengthen the affected communities with outreach and support. In 2024, IAA have reached 1028 people directly, from diverse backgrounds; including  women, men and youths with essential gardening skills, nutritional education and agroforestry resources and skills, created awareness about climate change through environmental education outreach, helping to achieve larger goals like food security, adequate nutrition, increased livelihood opportunities, climate smart or resilient agriculture, community building and gender equality for thousands of people in the following ways:

i.) Community Development: IAA boosted its integrated demonstration garden in Kumbo with land capacity of 5 hectares, which will serve as a community hub for learning and access to planting resources. The garden involves an apiary, seed multiplication, agroforestry promotion, hands-on learning on ecological and bee farming and the distribution of potato tubers and fruit seedlings to smallholder farmers to support the ongoing agricultural development. 

ii.) Home gardens support in Kumbo and Foumban: IAA empowered households with essential gardening skills and resources which resulted in the distribution of over 100,000grams of vegetables seeds and gardening tools to boost food production. Seed types distributed include; Cabbage, Carrot, Onion, Pepper, huckleberry, Cucumber, Okra, Tomato , Potato tubers, Sweet pepper, tree seedlings and Organic manure (2000kgs of cow dung) which resulted in 1350 gardens supported to increase food security and income level for 1350 people at the family/household level. Each seed type represents one garden and average family size is 10 members for 135 farm families supported. Tools include; 100 hoes, 100 watering cans, 100 machetes and 25 pairs of rain boots and 4000 tree seedlings.

In Foumban, IAA empowered 240 households with essential gardening skills and nutrition information which resulted in the distribution of 11,000 grams of vegetables seeds to boost food production. Seed types distributed include; Cabbage, 540 grams, Carrot, 5400 grams, Onion, 3500 grams , Pepper, 250 grams , Tomato, 250 grams , Cucumber, 400 grams which resulted in 1440 gardens to increase food security and income level for 2400 people at the family/household level in Foumban, West region of Cameroon

iii.) Nutrition and Diet: Empowered women on good nutrition practices, diet control and different nutrition options to reduce diet related diseases and malnutrition. With the message “Food is Medicine”, IAA implemented 10 workshops with 300 people that contributed to promoting public health and wellness through essential education on adequate nutrition and how to reduce food waste amongst conflict affected communities and women.

iv.) Environmental education and Agroforestry promotion: IAA engaged mixed age groups and community members on topics like deforestation, dangers of chemical fertilizers on agriculture, carbon emission and created awareness about climate change through regular environmental education outreach. IAA shared knowledge on agroforestry practices and distributed planting materials to 265 smallholder farmers who operate on less than 5 hectares of land. Ultimately, 15,000 trees were planted including, Moringa 1000, Cocoa 1000, Ricinodendron Heudeloti Known as Njansang or Essessang in Cameroon, 1000 and grafted pears (Avocado) 8000, and Prunus Africana 4000 in the Northwest and West regions of Cameroon.

EVOLUTION:

However, IAA recognizes that sustainable development requires continuous learning and adaptation to new challenges. This work enhances the leadership skills of its team, gain advanced knowledge in sustainable agriculture, and network with global experts in environmental management. By deepening their understanding of innovative practices and policies, IAA aims to scale up this initiative, increase its impact, and empower more women in Cameroon and beyond.

Your donation of any amount through GlobalGiving will go a long way to help us achieve our goals and continue to provide much needed services and assistance in our community.

Thank you for being part of our donor and supporter team!

Integrated Agricultural Association IAA, is spearheading efforts to fight malnutrition and hunger through sustainable agriculture. IAA trained 71 women and men on how to establish households gardens, given that with just around 600square meters a landless woman and a young person can have a garden that produces vegetables regularly within a 29-90 days cycle, to generate income and increase food security. IAA also distributed 2500 nitrogen fixing and trees of economic and medicinal value and 1000kgs of organic manure to participants to promote soil conservation and fight poverty. Young children were also engaged and received seedlings to plant with their parents so as to nurture love for nature and understanding of climate action and importance of trees on the environment and agriculture fields.

Integrated Agricultural Association IAA impacted diverse members of the community on good nutrition practices and diet control to reduce diet related diseases and malnutrition. With the message "Food is Medicine", IAA aims to promote public health and wellness through essential education on adequate nutrition and how to reduce food waste. 25 people, including women and men attended the workshop which was organized in Mbuluf village, Kumbo sub-division, Bui division in the Northwest region of Cameroon on the 15th of July 2024.

IMPACT:

IAA fights hunger & malnutrition by empowering communities through eco-friendly farming with donation through GlobalGiving and Support from other sources:

EMPOWERING FARMERS: they trained 71 women & men in eco-gardening (specifically within the home), disturbing 2,500 fruit trees & 1,000 kg of cow dung to replace chemical fertilizers & boost productivity.

HANDS-ON LEARNING: applying practical experience to build capacity in climate action, they taught youth & the community how to manage nurseries and select good seeds. Building trust & ownership between the community & the project, shifting power & resources into their hands! 

ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION: knowledge is power & with hands-on workshops on topics from deforestation to environmental stewardship, they are transforming young minds & communities into environmental heroes while bridging intergenerational learning 

TURNING WASTE INTO TREASURE: using locally available resources, they train smallholder farmers on how to produce organic fertilizer, reduce food waste, & adapt to climate change.

Funding is a challenge because IAA targets the pro-poor and funding cannot be raised by the participants and also, IAA has a non-profit status and cannot sell its services or any products to make profit that can be used to develop the project. Therefore, we must reach out to general public and international community for financial support to help us reach our objectives. We wellcome donation of any amount through GlobalGiving to keep going.

Thank you for being part of this incredible mission and for your continued support. With your donation, we will be able to empower our community, build resilient livelihoods and provide lasting solutions to hunger and malnutrition.

Thank You!