Whatever you do as a Cameroonian should be done professionally 

-Dr. Eric Takang Ebai, Ministry of Livestock and Fishery

Dr. Eric Takang Ebai is Holder of a PHD Degree in Quality Control. Prior to this he did Veterinary studies at the University of Nigeria NSUKA from where he graduated in 1992. He later benefited from a Common Wealth Scholarship which opened the way for his Master Degree studies in International Animal Health at the University of Edinburgh. Presently he works at the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery and is one of the finest professionals in this Ministry. He was interviewed by Francis Ekongang Nzante of Cameroon People.

What is your general appraisal of the road Cameroon has so far covered in the domain of Livestock and Fishery?

The Authorities in Cameroon have done quite a lot to improve upon the Livestock and Fishery Sector. Basically we started off with production units in Cattle and Fish, rudimentary if I may put it as such. We were faced with a lot of challenges especially with the outbreak of diseases that affected the cattle. The Cameroonian government fought it tooth and nail. This has improved our production and today we have over six million herds which is good though we can improve on it.

 In the Fishery sector there is rudimentary fishing dominantly by foreigners and the proliferation of fish ponds though not in all parts of the country. There is the need to train nationals in the fishing sector so as to permit them benefit from certain national schemes. The Cameroonian government is putting in place a plan to improve upon Aquaculture or fish farming. Before now we produced over two hundred tons of fish but with this move things will change reasonably.

What measures are being put in place to enhance sustainability in the sector and how is the common man involved in activities of the sector?

Dr Takang Eric Ebai and Family

 The President of the Republic recently talked of Second generation Agriculture and I think this will involve the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery. This will mean putting in place structures in the sector and making means available to put these structures to use. In this manner the government will be making sure that there is sustainability in the sector. There are a lot of projects that the government has put in place concerning the training of youths. This will empower them and get them involved in activities in the sector with the little capital that they are provided to start up with. That’s why now we see a lot of fish farms as youth continuously benefit from these government programmes. So youths are becoming more interested and are more involved in training programmes. That’s why many of them are now involved in fish farming and animal rearing.

 

If a simple Cameroonian wants to know where to go to for a formal training in the sector, what would you tell him in such a situation?

It depends on what you want to do.  If you are a student with the GCE ordinary or advanced levels and you want to do the Veterinary nursing or assistant veterinary nursing programme, you can be directed to Jakiri or Maroua. If you want to become a livestock technician you can go to Maroua or Jakiri and even in Fumban. There is also the training in Fishery and Aquaculture in Kumba at the diploma level. But if you want to go for higher studies at the degree level say in Veterinary Medicines, Engineering or fish farming, we have the School of Fishery in Douala were you can do a tree year or a five year programme to come out with a Master Degree. You can go to the University of Ngoundere to come out as a Veterinary Doctor. There are some private institutions as well.

This domain constitutes a very important aspect of the economy and if well harnessed can contribute greatly towards the growth and emergence of the nation. Are you of this opinion?

Definitely. The main source of protein in this country is from animals though we may talk of some other sources. From the FAO report which says we need a minimum intake of protein to live a healthy active live, we are not yet there. With the advent of training more people and the government putting in place structures and programs for livestock farmers, we see more and more people creating employment. This generates income and takes care of families in many ways. This is an enormous contribution to the growth of the nation through the provision of employment and poverty reduction. Clearly a growth of the sector will directly contribute to the emergence of the country by 2035.

What last message do you have for Cameroonians?

Whatever you do as a Cameroonian should be done professionally so that you contribute at your own level towards the emergence of Cameroon. Individualistic tendencies in which people only think in terms of grabbing everything cannot help us. We must work in groups and share ideas so as to move forward. This should be done with an open mind and in your own small way you will push the country forward. You will see what you have given your country rather than what the country has given you. Cameroonians should show what they have done for their country and not the other way round.

cameroonpeople.blogspot.com/ Email: francoeko@gmail.com/ Tel: +237678401408/ +237696896001