Evaluation of Some Technologies Developed by the Food Technology Laboratory of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development: Case of Cocoa, Coffee and Rice

The cultivation of plant such as cocoa, coffee and rice is practised by a large number of rural Cameroonian populations. Unfortunately, they are the most suffering of malnutrition, food insecurity and poverty. To improve their livelihoods, the Food Technology Laboratory (FTL) has developed some simple and innovative techniques to transform cocoa, coffee and rice and transferred them to producers. This study aims to evaluate the adoption of those innovations by producers. The survey was conducted in five most important markets in Yaoundé and in one pilot village named Bialanguéna. Data were analysed based on a comparison of the state before and after the acquisition of innovative technologies by producers. Changes observed in the food and economic habits were evaluated. The results show that cocoa products are the most adopted ones. Bialanguena women and Yaounde cocoa producers convert some cocoa beans to cocoa powder and cocoa butter for their therapeutic and nutritive needs. Yaounde cocoa producers go further to commercialize them and generate incomes. This is now their main source of financial income. Therefore, they can afford for food and housing of quality. These innovative technologies could be considered as an alternative to ensure food security in rural area. But the vulgarisation of technologies must continue to reach a large number of producers.