|
17th ICRC
ICRC Register
Member Countries
Activities
Research Info
Resources
Forum
Home
Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries
National Assembly Complex
Tafawa Balewa Square
P.O. Box 1718
Lagos, Nigeria
+234-70-9814-1735
+234-70-9814-1736
Fax: +234-70-9814-1734
info@copal-cpa.org
17icrc@copal-cpa.org
|
| 17th INTERNATIONAL COCOA RESEARCH CONFERENCE |
 |
HILTON HOTEL
YAOUNDE - CAMEROON
From 15 - 20 OCTOBER 2012
|
| ORGANISED BY THE COCOA PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNEMENT OF CAMEROON |
THEME: IMPROVING THE PROFITABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS: THE PRINCIPAL KEY TO A GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE COCOA ECONOMY |
| This theme should be developed through scientific papers focusing mainly on: |
| 1. |
Agricultural practices taking into account:
i) The scarcity of land available for cocoa farming,
ii) The need to maximise productivity of the small and medium size farms,
iii) The impact of climate change on cocoa cultivation,
iv) The impact of soil degradation in cocoa tree stocks on cocoa cultivation,
v) The environment,
vi) The need to prolong the life span of cocoa tree stocks,
vii) Possibilities of using agroforestry in cocoa cultivation;
|
| 2. |
The practices and strategies seeking to restore soil fertility in cocoa tree stocks at minimum cost
|
| 3. |
The selection and use of a planting material which is tolerant or resistant to diseases and pests, highly-productive and producing good-quality cocoa |
| 4. |
Effective control methods for diseases and pests which protect the environment and the health of the cocoa farmer and the consumer |
| 5. |
The benefits of cocoa and cocoa by-products on human health and on the use and broadcasting of associated data |
| 6. |
The ways and means of reducing or even eliminating any presence of contaminants in cocoa and cocoa derived products |
| 7. |
The development and implementation of cocoa production management policies to match supply to demand |
| 8. |
The impact of the lack of transparency in the functioning of the terminal market and the management of cocoa stocks and cocoa-derived products on the sustainability of cocoa cultivation |
| 9. |
Efficient mechanisms for transfer of technologies |
| 10. |
Types of internal marketing and their impact on the sustainability of cocoa cultivation |
| 11. |
The impact of living conditions in rural environments on the sustainability of cocoa cultivation |
| 12. |
Cocoa processing tools at producer scale |
| 13. |
Practices and strategies seeking to increase the use of cocoa and cocoa by-products |
| 14. |
Social and economic factors which impede the profitability of small and medium-sized cocoa farms and how to remedy this |
| 15. |
Agricultural policies encouraging improved profitability of small and medium-sized cocoa farms |
| Conference sessions will cover the following subjects areas |
| i. |
Genetics and Breeding |
| ii. |
Agronomy, Agro forestry, Physiology, Soils and Nutrition |
| iii. |
Pests and Diseases |
| iv. |
Chemistry, Technology and Quality |
| v. |
Efficient utilisation of cocoa and cocoa by-products |
| vi. |
Improvement of cocoa consumption through generic promotion |
| vii. |
New and non-traditional uses of cocoa |
| viii. |
Transfer of Technologies and Efficient utilisation of the results from cocoa research |
| ix. |
Marketing and Socio-Economics |
| x. |
Other aspects of research including Environment |
| The Conference will be followed by INGENIC, INCOPED and INAFORESTA meetings from 22nd to 23rd October 2012. |
Authors should prepare an abstract of approximately 400 words, containing all essential
information regarding objectives, materials and methods, results and conclusions, but
excluding sectional headings, figures, graphs, tables and references. The text should be single
spacing on A4 (210 mm x 297 mm), with a margin of 4 cm on the left side and 2 cm on all
other sides. The recommended font is Times New Roman size 10.
|
The selection of papers to be delivered at the Conference will be based on these summaries.
|
One copy of the summary should reach the following address at the latest by 31 January 2012.
|
The Secretary General
(Subject: 17th International Cocoa Research Conference)
Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries
National Assembly Complex
P.O. Box 1718
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-70-9814-1735 / +234-70-9814-1736
Fax: +234-70-9814-1734
E-mail: 17icrc@copal-cpa.org
|
The Full Paper should be preceded by the information Summary submitted previously. The Full Text should follow the same spacing and margins as described for the abstract on the previous page. The recommended font is Times New Roman size 10. The full paper should not exceed 3,000 words, including tables, figures and graphs. Each table, figure or graph is considered as being equivalent to the number of words, which could have been typed in an equivalent space. An invited paper should not exceed 9,000 words, including tables, figures and graphs.
A participant may present up to two papers as Sole Author or Senior Author. The name of the author could, however, appear as a contributor to other papers.
Figures, tables, photographs and graphs should be in the precise position in the text of the paper.
|
Authors should follow the format in Guidelines to Contributors of Papers (annexed).
|
| Electronic Copy (On CD or diskette) |
To facilitate the production of the proceedings on hard copy and on CD ROM, authors are hereby requested to submit their presentations by e-mail (as attachments) or on CD.
The CD or disquette label should identify clearly the name of the author and the title of the
paper. To ensure uniformity in format, use Word for Windows and font Times New Roman
size 10. In the case of figures and tables, please use Word or Excel.
|
| Oral presentation |
The authors must therefore prepare the text of their presentation in writing, by selecting the
main points of their paper and providing an explanation for the tables, slides, etc. They must
bring eight copies of their presentation to the conference, for use by the interpreters. The
preparation of this oral presentation is essential to the success of the Conference. (Speakers: maximum 1,000 words; Invited Speakers: maximum 3,000 words.)
For the Conference to proceed without hitch, speakers and invited speakers should not exceed
the 10 and 30 minutes allocated to them, respectively.
|
| Poster presentations |
In addition to the oral sessions some of the papers may be presented in poster format
(drawings, leaflets, samples, etc.). These poster sessions will correspond as closely as possible
to the relevant Conference sessions. Authors should indicate if they prefer their papers to be
included in poster presentation sessions. If that is the case, their contributions should comply
with the standards defined in the Guidelines for speakers.
|
| DEADLINE |
Deadline for a hard copy of the complete typescript of full papers and a CD should reach the address
SUBMISSIONS: below at the latest by 30 June 2012.
|
The Secretary General
(Subject: 17th International Cocoa Research Conference)
Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries
Brick House, National Assembly Complex,
P.O. Box 1718
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-70-9814-1735 / +234-70-9814-1736
Fax: +234-70-9814-1734
E-mail: 17icrc@copal-cpa.org
|
| Registration forms should be returned to both addresses below on or before 01st September 2012 at the following addresses : |
|
1. The Secretary General
(Subject: 17th International Cocoa Research Conference)
Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries
Brick House, National Assembly Complex
Tafawa Balewa Square
P O Box 1718
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-70-9814-1735 / +234-70-9814-1736
Fax: +234-70-9814-1734
E-mail: 17icrc@copal-cpa.org
|
2. The Chairman
National Organising Committee
17th International Cocoa Research Conference
Ministry of Trade - National Cocoa and Coffee Board
Agronomic Development Research Institute
B.P. 501, Immeuble Rose
Yaound, Cameroon
Tel.: +237 22 22 00 70 / +237 33 42 42 35
Fax: +237 22 23 90 29 / +237 33 42 00 02
E-mail : oncc2003@yahoo.fr
|
The Registration fee does not include a copy of the Conference Proceedings, and is payable at Conference venue as follows:
Participants who are nationals of Member Countries of the Alliance US$250.00
Participants from Non-Member Countries US$450.00
This Fee covers the cost of lunches over the 6 days of Conference period.
A late fee of additional US$50.00 will be charged after the deadline for registration.
Institutions are urgently requested to send a list of participants to the host country.
|
The official languages of the Conference are English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in these languages only.
|
All foreigners wishing to enter Indonesia must have a passport valid for minimum six
months from the date of arrival along with proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.
|
Types of visa
Foreigners from countries where Cameroon has no diplomatic or consular representation can
obtain a visa from the border police or immigration services at their place of disembarkation.
| Categories |
Beneficiary |
Validity |
Entries and
exits |
| Transit visa |
Foreigner in transit |
No more than five
days |
Several |
| Tourist visa |
Temporary visitor travelling for
pleasure |
No more than thirty
days |
Several |
| Temporary visa |
Foreigner whose stay is no more
than three months |
No more than three
months |
Several |
| Long-stay visa |
Foreigner whose stay is more
than three months |
No more than six
months |
Several |
Entry visas may not be moved from one category to another. They cannot be extended except
in a case of force majeure or authorised expressly by the Delegate General for National
Security.
Except for the long-stay visa, no visa gives the right to exercise a lucrative or professional
activity or to study in Cameroon.
|
Conditions and modalities for issuing entry visas
Transit visa
- A passport or any other travel document valid for at least six months;
- A valid airline ticket up to the final destination or any other proof of onward travel
- A visa or authorisation to enter the country of final destination, if appropriate;
- Required international vaccination certificates.
Tourist visa
- Passport or any other travel document valid for at least six months;
- Return airline ticket or circular ticket or, if appropriate, a customs' clearance certificate;
- Required international vaccination certificates;
- Documents supporting the purpose of the visit and sufficient subsistence conditions and means for the entire stay;
- An accommodation certificate issued by the person providing this or an invitation to an event organised in the national territory or a firm reservation in a hotel for the anticipated time of the stay;
- An order of mission, for official missions.
Temporary visa
- Passport or any other travel document valid for at least six months;
- Return airline ticket or circular ticket or, if appropriate, a customs' clearance certificate;
- Required international vaccination certificates;
- Documents supporting the purpose of the visit and sufficient subsistence conditions and means for the entire stay;
- An accommodation certificate issued by the person providing this stamped by a regionally-competent mayor or an invitation to an event organised in the national territory or a firm reservation in a hotel for the anticipated time of the stay;
- An order of mission, for official missions.
|
Apart from foreigners in transit, the following are considered temporary visitors:
Private visitors: Foreigners who, having elected to stay in Cameroon for pleasure, are
accommodated by either a member of their family or by friends.
Tourists: Foreigners who are embarking on a pleasure trip to Cameroon and are staying in an
establishment either as individuals or as part of an organised or package tour.
Individuals on mission: Foreigners who come to Cameroon officially as part of their
professional activities.
Businessmen: Individuals carrying out a professional activity in their own name for profit,
with the exception of artists and men of culture.
Developers: Individuals whose professional activity involves providing capital for economic,
scientific, technical, agricultural, pastoral, cultural or sporting investment.
Guests or attendees at an event organised in the national territory: Foreigners who have
an individual or collective invitation to take part, personally or in a delegation, in an economic,
scientific, technical, agricultural, pastoral, cultural or sporting event.
|
Conference participants will be met at the Airport by a reception committee. It is important
that delegates register as far in advance as possible, indicating by fax or e-mail the date of their
arrival, flight number and airline and whether they will be accompanied. Please advise the
Secretariat of delegates arriving after these dates who require special assistance. Delegates may
also travel by taxi from the airport to the Conference venue and official hotel.
|
A full programme of activities will be planned for the spouses, in particular visits to the
magnificent beaches at Kribi and natural sites around Yaound, with BUMA dance shows,
typical of pygmies from the south of the tropical rainforest and cultural visits to inland
Cameroon.
|
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Participants should feel free to ask for further information about the Conference. For
information on Cameroon, please contact: |
The Chairman
National Organising Committee
17th International Cocoa Research Conference
Ministry of Trade - National Cocoa and Coffee Board
Agronomic Development Research Institute
B.P. 501, Immeuble Rose
Yaound, Cameroon
Tel.: +237 22 22 00 70 / +237 33 42 42 35
Fax: +237 22 23 90 29 / +237 33 42 00 02
E-mail :oncc2003@yahoo.fr
|
| For information related to the Conference, please contact the Secretary General of COPAL in
Lagos, Nigeria |
The Secretary General
Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries
Brick House, National Assembly Complex
Tafawa Balewa Square
P O Box 1718
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-70-9814-1735 / +234-70-9814-1736
Fax: +234-70-9814-1734
E-mail: 17icrc@copal-cpa.org
|
Cameroon: Africa in miniature
Cameroon's history is very special as here started the largest human migrations during the last
four thousand years. The archaeological, linguistic and genetic data suggests that the Bantu
group, today forming one third of the African population, started spreading into Sub-Saharan
Africa from Cameroon and Nigeria.
Cameroon is located in Central Africa, at the bottom of the Gulf of Guinea, slightly above
the Equator, and extends from Lake Chad to the Atlantic Coast. It is bordered by Chad to the
North, the Central African Republic to the East, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the
South and Nigeria to the West.
In 1472, the Portuguese navigator, Fernão Pó, dodging the fully-erupting Mount Cameroon
(4070 m above sea level), sailed into the opening of the Wouri River which he found to be
teeming with prawns. He called this place the Rio dos Camaroes, which would be turned into
Camarones by the Spanish and later into Cameroun by the French.
In 1884, Cameroon, which until then had served as a staging post for many traders and
missionaries, became a German colony following treaties signed with Duala chiefs. Cameroon
was placed under French mandate after the 1918 Armistice. The status of mandate was
converted into a trusteeship in 1945. In 1958, the country obtained internal autonomy before
becoming independent in 1960.
The first President was Ahmadou Ahidjo, succeeded in 1982 by the current incumbent, Mr
Paul Biya.
Covering an area of 472,442 sq. km and with a population of 19,406,100, Cameroon has
several large cities, including: Yaoundé, the country's political capital with a population of
nearly two million, is 250 km from the coast and 700 m above sea level and Douala, the
economic capital, which has nearly three million inhabitants. It includes the country's main
port. There are also the large urban centres of Garoua, Bafoussam, Maroua, Bamenda, Limbe,
Kribi, Foumban, Dschang and Kumba.
Cameroon has 240 ethnic groups, divided into three major groups (Bantus, Semi-Bantus and
Sudanese). The official languages are French and English, spoken by 70% and 30% of the
population respectively. Many citizens also speak Spanish and German. There are over 240
languages and dialects spoken throughout the country.
Added to this ethnic diversity is a geographical diversity, firstly, a combination of tropical
forests and savannah and a Sahelian and semi-arid area and secondly, a mountain range and
an Atlantic coastal area of 400 km. These ethnic, climatic and geographical diversities make
Cameroon Africa in miniature.
Cameroon is a lay State. Christianity and Islam are the two main religions practised here.
Animism is also practised by many people.
AGRICULTURE: Cameroonian agriculture
Cameroon is commonly called the "storehouse of Central Africa". It is the main source of food
products for countries in the sub-region. The document entitled Development Strategy for the
Rural Sector produce the following annual estimates in 2005:
- Cereals : 1,686,000 tonnes
- Roots and tubers: 3,836,000 tonnes
- Legumes: 300,000 tonnes
- Oil crops: 239,000 tonnes
- Vegetables: 1,405,000 tonnes
- Fruit: 2,282,000 tonnes
- Palm oil: 177,000 tonnes
Cameroon is also a not insignificant producer of cash crops and agricultural commodities for
export, especially bananas, wood, rubber, coffee, cotton and cocoa.
Cocoa growing in Cameroon
Cocoa was introduced in 1887 in the current region of Limbe. The German administration
saw in its cultivation an excellent form of promoting the colonial pact. Cocoa is the flagship
product of German colonisation. On the eve of the First World War, the current region of
Limbe housed the largest known plantation in the world. Covering about 7,800 hectares, it
then belonged to the West Afrikanishe Pflanzung Victoria (WAPV). Immediately following
the War, the French and British administrations took over the distribution of agricultural
commodities. Cocoa continued to hold a dominant place at the side of coffee and other tropical
products like cotton, tobacco, bananas, rubber and oil palm.
Incentive measures were then introduced, like the Native Order of Merit Medal for cocoa,
then restrictive measures through the indigenousness code and the poll tax. The colonial
administration subsequently applied an effective policy of supporting the cultivation of
agricultural commodities. Financial aids were granted to develop production, mainly through
the creation, equipping and operation of research and agricultural extension centres.
The first annual harvests recorded during the period 1901-1904 amounted to 1,000 tonnes.
Immediately following the Second World War, production was 41,000 and achieved 80,000
after independence, mainly during the period 1960-1964. It then increased steadily until the
early 1970s, when all the colonial plantations achieved full capacity with production bordering
on 120,000 tonnes. The cocoa sector then stagnated until 2008/2009, the year when the
200,000 tonnes mark was crossed. The latest statistics report about 210,000 tonnes recorded in
2009/2010.
The bulk of the cocoa production in Cameroon was for a long time of Trinitario varieties,
hybrids combining the hardiness of the Forastero group and the fine aroma of the Criollo
group. New crosses from different clones are today produced and popularised by IRAD and
SODECAO, two bodies in charge respectively of research and the development of cocoa
cultivation. They feature in particular better resistance to black pod and capsids, the main
scourges of cocoa in Cameroon. They also have better productivity, some 700 kg to 1000 kg/
ha after eighteen months, against 369 kg/ha after five to six years for the traditional varieties
introduced by the colonial administration. Cocoa from Cameroon is renowned for its high
butter content and its ochre red colour ideal for manufacturing cocoa powder, all qualities
which make it a sought-after commodity for the processors.
Cocoa is Cameroon's main export crop. Cocoa cultivation is a traditional activity as well as a
major source of employment in rural areas. In 1986/87, there were 453,000 hectares planted.
Along with coffee, cocoa provides a livelihood for over 600,000 farmers, benefits six million
people directly or indirectly and accounts for 40% of exports by the primary sector.
The cocoa sector in Cameroon is fully liberalised. Five national bodies help supervise it:
• The National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), an administrative body responsible
among other things of monitoring the export quality and representing the State in the
international cocoa and coffee organisations.
• The Cocoa and Coffee Inter-Professional Board (CICC), a joint body grouping the
professional organisations of Agriculture, Trade, Industry and the Services of the Cocoa
and Coffee sectors. Its role is to stabilise the internal cocoa and coffee market and
organise it efficiently.
• The Cocoa and Coffee Development Fund (FODECC), with the mission of providing
financial support services to cocoa- and coffee-related projects.
•The Development Research Institute (IRAD), whose mission, for all agricultural
products, is to improve the quality and production of the basic seed.
• The Cocoa Development Company (SODECAO), which broadcasts in rural areas the
results of cocoa research.
Geography and History:
Yaound, the capital of Cameroon, is located in the South of the Centre Province. It is a green city crossed by small water courses and straddling a range of seven hills. It has an average temperature of
23C in October. It covers an area of 304 sq. km broken down into seven areas housing over a
hundred districts.
Created on November 30, 1989, Yaound was a German military post which expanded thanks
to the German traders who had made it their base for the ivory trade. The city was occupied by
Belgian troops during the First World War before being placed under French protectorate at the
end of the Great War. Yaound experienced a constant exodus from 1957 onwards due to the
cocoa crisis and social and political troubles affecting Doula, then the main city.
Administration, Economy and Teaching:
Yaound houses the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, the ministerial buildings and the
departments of the Governor of the Centre Province. It is the headquarters of such international
institutions as the Bank of Central African States.
It is essentially a service sector city with a main shopping centre around Avenue Kennedy and
several markets, the largest being the Central market, the Mokolo market and the Mfoundi
market, where you can breathe in the ambience of a tropical market.
Yaound is the headquarters of two State universities: the universities of Yaound I and
Yaound II; attached to these are a variety of higher education establishments - Ecole
Nationale Suprieure Polytechnique, Ecole Nationale Suprieure Agronomique, Ecole
Suprieure des Travaux Publics, Ecole Normale Suprieure, Institut International des
Relations Internationales and Ecole Suprieure des Sciences et Techniques de l'Information et
de la Communication.
The Cameroon capital is also home to private higher education establishments like the Catholic
University of Central Africa, the Protestant University of Central Africa, the University of
South Yaound Ndi Samba and the Institute Siantou Suprieur.
Heritage and Tourism:
The city has a refurbished road network which is currently being widened following work
undertaken in recent years by the urban community of Yaound. The most striking buildings
include the headquarters of the BEAC, the tower of the Socit Nationale d'Investissements, the
Hilton Hotel, the Presidency of the Republic, the Palais des Congrs, the Mont-Fb Hotel and
the ministerial buildings.
There are public gardens near City Hall, in the Fb district, around the Charles Atangana
monument in the city centre and all around the Palais des Congrs.
There are also a few amusement parks like the Kiriakides parks in the Djoungolo district and
Bois Sainte-Anastaise located at the Warda crossroads. Without being exhaustive, sites or
monuments listed below are well worth a visit:
National Museum, in the city centre
Reunification Monument, near the National Assembly
Mont Fb.
The historic building of the Ewondo chiefdom in the Efoulan district.
The zoo and botanical gardens of Mvog-Beti.
Notre-Dame des Victoires Cathedral located in the city centre.
The Cameroonian cultural centre in the Nlongkak district.
The Museum of Cameroon Art in the Benedictine Monastery on Mont Fb.
The steles of Dr Eugne Jamot.
The Cameroon Presbyterian Chapel of Djoungolo.
The Charles Atangana Palace.
Shopping and Leisure activities:
The craft market in the Mont Ane-rouge in the city centre is the place for foreign visitors to
acquire works typical of the Cameroon cultural heritage.
There are cabarets with shows where local artists perform live on stage. One of the most
popular is La Terre Battue.
Yaound also has several night clubs, the best known being the Katios, the Sanza, the Safari,
the Mvet and the Balafon.
Climate and Clothing:
Yaound has such a mild and pleasant climate the whole year around. Sunny days during the
rainy season, between August and October, tropical storms will alternate with the blue sky and
the sun. The average daily temperature in Yaound is about 27 C (81 F) and 23 C in October.
The relative humidity is high, around 88%. There is comparatively little difference between the
daytime and night time temperatures. Light clothing is recommended for during the day, but a
light jacket or sweater is usually necessary in the evening.
Transport:
Airport taxis will take you to your hotel. We recommend using the yellow city taxis. Taxis can
be rented through the hotel concierge. A city taxi pick-up costs 200 FCFA, about 0.30. The
price should be agreed for an individual trip in the city, but it is normally 1500 FCFA per hour
(2.30 minimum). The journey to the airport costs 3500 FCFA (5.50) during the day and 5000
FCFA (8) at night after 6 p.m.
A wide range of recommended hotel accommodation is available in Yaound, Douala and other
big cities. Yaound, the city of seven hills, offers all categories of accommodation, from safe,
comfortable hotels for those on a tight budget to standard international and luxury hotels.
Foreign visitors to Cameroon will find international cuisine in the large hotel centres and
restaurants in the large cities. However, Cameroon gastronomy is especially varied (fish, meat,
fresh vegetables and fruit) and is worth tasting.
The local currency is the franc CFA, which has a fixed parity with the Euro (1 Euro = 656
FCFA). The rate for other currencies is updated every day. You can change currency at the
airport, hotels and banks and approved bureaux de change. Banks are normally open from 7.30
a.m. to 3 p.m. You will find cash points in different locations. It is not safe to change money on
the streets.
For more information contact
Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries,
National Assembly Complex,
Tafawa Balewa Square, P. O. Box 1718, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +234-70-9814-1735 / +234-70-9814-1736.
Fax: +234-70-9814-1734.
Email:17icrc@copal-cpa.org |