For their valuable contribution to the national dairy sector, a team of scientists from Cameroon’s Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD)—led by Professor Henri Dieudonné Bayemi Pougue—have been awarded the ‘Golden Lion of Scientific Excellence,’ a special grand prize presented by the President of the Republic of Cameroon, which carries with it a financial award of 10 million CFA francs.
Agriculture is vital to the Cameroon’s economy, accounting for approximately 25% of the national GDP. At present, due to their low milk production, the majority of cattle are neither herded nor milked, and instead are used as draught animals. However, the country’s growing population and increased urbanization have led to a dramatic rise in demand for milk.
Cameroon produces only 76% of the milk which is consumed domestically, importing the remaining 24%. In fact, to meet projected demands, dairy farmers will have to double their production of milk by 2020. Improving agricultural output – and the milk production of dairy cows in particular – is a priority for the government. Motivated by the clear and growing need to improve domestic milk production, the Government of Cameroon approached the IAEA in search of a solution.
