» The farmers voice
News | 15 Feb 2006
NOWEFOR adopts ambitious action plan
-Identifies priorities for 2006
-Votes budget
-Prepares for autonomy
-Future very bright, says co-ordinator
The North West Farmers Organisation (NOWEFOR) recently held its annual general meeting at Mforya. The two-day event was hosted by the Mforya Integrated Farmers Union and was opened by the DO of Bafut Achuranjoh Zacheus in the presence of HRH Fon Abumbi II of Bafut

The annual general meeting took place from January 5th to 6th 2005 and it brought together delegates from all the eleven unions. After two days, the delegates were able to adopt a new action plan as well as the organisation’s budget for 2006.
Prior to the general assembly, much work had been done before to lay the groundwork for a smooth and hitch-free general meeting. Two self-evaluation meetings were held. The first was a one-day workshop that united all the members of the eight credit houses. The director of SAILD support equally attended this meeting. The participants had the time to look at how things went for the organisation in the year ending. They were equally able to identify priority areas of intervention for 2006. The second evaluation was with the leaders of all the eleven unions. This group was able to examine the financial management of the organisation and equally identify priorities depending on the weaknesses that were observed. This made way for detail budgeting and making priorities into the operational plan of the organisation.

Two major activities characterised the first day of the general meeting. After verification of the quorum and the examination and adoption of the previous minutes, there was the presentation of narrative report as well as financial report. Most of these went on smoothly because much had been done in advance. Later in the day, the delegates moved on to adopt the action plan and the budget for 2006, which stands at 44.5 million FRS. The second day of the meeting was characterised by awards of best performances and presentations by partner organisations. The American Peace Corp with whom NOWEFOR was able to sign a protocol agreement did one of such presentations. The organisation equally enjoys very wonderful collaboration with the German Development Service (DED). They helped the organisation to draw up its strategic development plan as well as organise a workshop on gender.

At the end of the meeting, very far-reaching resolutions were adopted that included the putting in place of an income generating project for NOWEFOR and motivating the best unions.
According to the co-ordinator of NOWEFOR, Aurelian Mbzibain, there has never been a participatory action plan like it was done this year. Farmers were involved at all level of the preparation and evaluation. This is obviously the first real step in the move towards autonomy for the organisation.

Julius Atia