Bikoe: A Path to Agricultural Prosperity Inaugurated by SODECAO

A Key Project to Unlock Plantations and Boost Cocoa Production

Bikoé, le 10 juin 2025 – Le village de Bikoé, situé dans l’arrondissement de Mvengue, a marqué un tournant décisif dans son développement agricole ce mardi 10 juin 2025, avec l’inauguration d’une voie d’accès stratégique aménagée par la Société de Développement du Cacao (SODECAO). Cet ouvrage, réalisé en un temps record, ouvre désormais un accès fluide aux plantations locales, promettant de transformer durablement la productivité et les conditions de vie des agriculteurs.

A Highly Symbolic Ceremony Marking a Decisive Turning Point

The inauguration, led by SODECAO’s General Manager, Mr. Jean Claude Akouafane, became a powerful advocacy moment for territorial development. A distinguished assembly of authorities attended the event:

• The representative of the S.D.O of the Ocean Division, Mr. Emmanuel Longue Kingue, embodying the state’s vision
• The D.O of Mvengue, ensuring the local implementation of public policies
• The Mayor, a key player in grassroots governance
• The traditional chief of Bikoe I, representing customary legitimacy

This unprecedented convergence of decision-makers at all levels (state, decentralized, municipal, and traditional) is no coincidence. It underscores an integrated development approach, where infrastructure acts as a catalyst for broader socio-economic transformation, fully aligned with the National Agricultural Development Plan (PNDA) 2025–2030.

A Project Funded and Executed with Efficiency

Funded by a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, this project is part of SODECAO’s efforts to modernize rural infrastructure. Leveraging its expertise in public works, the company carried out the construction in-house, ensuring quality and timely completion.

Key achievements include:

• Application of laterite over 2.5 km to stabilize the road;
• Construction of hydraulic structures and installation of culverts at critical points;
• Creation of drainage ditches to mitigate flood risks;
• Road leveling to facilitate crop transportation

Immediate Benefits for Farmers

These improvements are already making a tangible impact: Bikoe’s once-inaccessible fields are now open to farmers. Producers can transport their harvests more easily, minimize post-harvest losses, and increase their incomes.

SODECAO’s General Manager expressed his satisfaction during the ceremony: “This marks a milestone for SODECAO and the cocoa sector in this region. Bikoe is one of our most productive areas, and this road will enhance our capacity to produce high-quality cocoa.”

An Ambition Aligned with National Priorities

The S.D.O’s representative, visibly pleased, enthusiastically praised the initiative while voicing an ambitious wish: “This exemplary project should serve as a model and be replicated in all areas facing similar access challenges.”

The Mayor of Mvengue highlighted the infrastructure’s transformative impact: “Bikoé I was one of the most isolated villages in my constituency. Thanks to SODECAO, a new era is beginning.”

Site Visit and Widespread Satisfaction

The delegation toured the completed road, verifying the quality of the work with satisfaction. Technical stops confirmed the effectiveness of the hydraulic structures and the project’s durability.

This project aligns with the National Development Strategy (SND 30), which aims to produce 640,000 tons of cocoa beans by 2025 and 1.2 million tons by 2030.

The inauguration of this road in Bikoe perfectly illustrates SODECAO’s mission: to modernize Cameroonian agriculture and improve rural livelihoods. Through concrete projects and strong partnerships, the company continues to position itself as a key player in territorial development.

This initiative, brimming with hope and progress, exemplifies the power of collaboration aligned with national objectives. Between the authorities’ ambition and SODECAO’s operational expertise, Bikoe I has become more than just a connected village—it is a successful model of territorial development. Replicating this project in other isolated areas could be a decisive step toward equitable accessibility. As this initiative proves, lasting transformations are built through united efforts.

The ceremony concluded with a banquet hosted by administrative authorities, symbolizing institutional commitment to this transformative project. This formal gathering sealed the partnership between SODECAO and the various development stakeholders present.

By NJK