CAMEROON – In an effort to make beef more accessible to households and ensure food self-sufficiency, the Society for the Development and Exploitation of Animal Production (Sodepa) in Cameroon has unveiled strategic initiatives to improve the availability of meat.
Sodepa has introduced a safety stock initiative, involving the production and storage of meat or meat products in its cold storage warehouses.
With a conservation capacity of several months, these stocks are transported to major consumption centers, making them available in markets at affordable prices.
Additionally, the state has contributed 2.5 million F for the purchase of 200 bulls from a local economic operator to reinforce Sodepa’s safety stock.
The society has also inaugurated a modern butcher’s shop in the Etoudi district in Yaoundé, offering beef in various forms.
This initiative aims to provide consumers with a convenient and well-equipped outlet to purchase quality meat products.
To enhance the skills of its staff, especially butchery professionals, Sodepa has conducted training programs. P
rofessionals were guided by an expert to learn meat preservation techniques, understand different parts of beef, and implement hygiene measures.
“This training is crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of meat products,” Sodepa noted.
Meanwhile, Sodepa is in the process of finalizing the establishment of fairground sales points to broaden its reach.
The company is also focused on organizing the supply of different points of sale and optimizing parameters, including cost, to ensure affordability for consumers.
Sodepa has collaborated with the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that beef sold in the market adheres to approved prices. Additionally, the Ministry of Livestock oversees the quality of products placed on the market and works to increase production.
Aligning with the instructions of the head of state in January 2022, the government has intensified efforts to ensure the availability of beef on the market, aiming at addressing challenges in the sector, including insufficiency, and preventing an increase in beef prices in the markets.
As Sodepa and various government ministries collaborate on these initiatives, the comprehensive approach aims to make quality beef more accessible, support food self-sufficiency, and enhance the overall meat industry in Cameroon.
