Objectives

The general objectives of MIFACIG shall be to develop local capacity in carrying out self-help initiatives for the wellbeing of rural population and environmental protection.

This objective will be split in five different targets:

• the empowerment of rural people to extricate them from the unprivileged situation of poverty
• the promotion of the production of improved fruit trees and domestication of endangered trees species
• the promotion of the production of medicinal plants that can be used to improve low cost but effective medication
• the promotion of modern agroforestry practices and conservation farming aimed at soil and water conservation, to ensure food sufficiency
• the reduction of the tension on wood and non wood forests products resources

It should be noted that according to the Rapport sur la pauvreté rurale au Cameroun (2006):

“In fact, the challenges of development of the agricultural sector are as well those of a sector which has to fulfil its functions of: i) feeding the entire population which is growing at an annual rate of 2,8%; ii) consolidating the economic growth through the increase of the proceeds from exporting in the sub-regional, regional and world markets; and iii) contributing to the fight against poverty in rural areas through the improvement of farm income.”

Management team

MIFACIG has a membership of 39 persons and the Executive Bureau has 9 elected members. The staff is composed by 6 persons.

Organisation

The header part of MIFACIG is composed of the organs of control and moderation: the Executive Bureau elected by the General Assembly.

The staff activities are split in two different wings

The production wing provides funds in order to maintain the structure and compensate the social workers, and produce trees, medicinal plants and honey, which are supplying the training wing as pedagogical material and starter-kit for farmers.

That is the reason why, these two different wings have to be managed tightly. At the present, the co-ordinator is the bound between these two wings and acts also as a general manager, but one person is not enough.

The Executive Bureau:

Elected by the General Assembly, its members use their numerous competences to lead MIFACIG and define its orientations and strategies. This Executive Bureau is in charge of day to day management of the activities and also conflicts within members, staff or managers: they have to keep a good atmosphere in the group and whether there is no immediate solution, can set up a process as stipulated in the Internal Rules and Regulation.

The chairperson and the vice-chairperson are responsible of achieving MIFACIG mission and encourage the Bureau in strategic planning. There is also a secretary general and a vice secretary, a treasurer and a financial secretary. These two last persons controls and validate all financial movement within MIFACIG. They are particularly useful members because MIFACIG has no accountant in its staff, and the treasurer and the financial secretary are helping at the present moment: even if their work is not satisfactory, it is precious. Three other members are elected

The Staff:

According to the rules and regulations and in conformity with the law, all the staff is constituted by social workers, and has to be approved by the Executive Bureau.

The co-ordinator is the head of the staff. He is responsible of the effectiveness of the Executive Bureau’s strategies and decisions. But he also acts as a General Manager and the Public Relation Officer. It is obvious that one person is not enough for all these responsibilities and tasks.

The production officer is in charge of the elaboration of the planting schedule and the supply of planting and livestock material. He has the responsibility of the good run of the nursery, the garden, the piggery and the apiary.

The training officer is in charge of the day to day trainings’ organisation. He is responsible of the efficiency and good participation of MIFAGIC trainers and facilitators.

Two attendants (a farmer and a receptionist) and one technician are also part of the staff and their good experience is precious for MIFACIG.

The key members:

The coordinator is one the key member: he is the historical leader, and is acting today as a manager. His experience and his mastering of MIFACIG activities are essential. Some very competent and experienced field animators, who have been involved in numerous trainings in the past, are also members. Even if MIFACIG staff is not enough, the competence of members should not be underestimated because it is the real strength of MIFACIG.

MIFACIG is also greatly boosted by active members with great awareness of opportunities for example some very valuable experienced members as a gender expert, a chemist, two Senior Agric Technicians: their wide vision is very precious.

Training and Resource Centre.

Another member of the Executive Committee with the required qualification and experience heads the Training Section. He is thus responsible for handling a team of trainers including experts on part time.