Bikoe: A Pathway to Agricultural Revival

A Crucial Infrastructure to Boost Rural Development and farm Productivity

On Wednesday, May 27, 2025, the village of Bikoe, located in the Mvengue Sub-Division, hosted a landmark event for its agricultural development. A delegation from the Cocoa Development Corporation (SODECAO), accompanied by the Divisional Officer of Mvengue and local authorities, conducted an on-site visit to assess progress of the farm constructed to ease access to the cocoa plantations and surrounding farms. This pivotal step precedes the official handover scheduled for early June 2025.

A transformative project to unlock agricultural potentials

The day began with a technical briefing at the D.O’s Office at Mvengue, where SODECAO officials outlined the project's scope, challenges and achievements. Key milestones included: the installation of culverts at critical crossing points, laterite surfacing over 2.5 km, construction of drainage ditches to mitigate flooding and road levelling to ensure smooth access. Funded and overseen by SODECAO, the project’s overall objective is to open up agricultural zones, facilitating access to farms and improving working conditions for local producers. These efforts seek to reduce producer isolation and enhance agricultural productivity.

Green light for imminent handover

After a thorough inspection, the pre-handover committee issued a favourable technical report, commending the quality of the executed project. "This project is a tangible demonstration of SODECAO's commitment to rural communities," stated the D.O of Mvengue, adding that a formal recommendation would be submitted to the Senior Divisional Officer of the Ocean Division for approval

A bright future for Bikoe’s farmers

With this new infrastructure, Bikoe’s farmlands are now fully accessible, paving the way for higher yields and reduced post-harvest losses. This project exemplifies SODECAO’s commitment to local agricultural development and the enhancement of rural community living conditions. There are high hopes for a prosperous future for both producers and the region as a whole.

Coming up

The upcoming official inauguration ceremony, scheduled in the coming days, will mark a turning point for Bikoe’s farmers, solidifying the foundations for a more prosperous agricultural future.

NJK and DPAA