In the beautiful landscap6e of the North West Region lies a hidden world of coffee trading, where the fragrant aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the bitter taste of uncertainty.
The black market practices that have emerged in the wake of liberalization have further exacerbated these challenges, creating a breeding ground for corruption and unfair trade practices. Farmers speak of middlemen who siphon off profits, unscrupulous buyers who manipulate measuring instruments, manipulate prices, and a general atmosphere of suspicion and distrust that pervades the market.
In our journey through the world of black market coffee in the North West Region, we seek to amplify the voices of the farmers who have been marginalized and silenced by these opaque practices. We aim to shine a spotlight on the systemic issues that underlie the current state of affairs and advocate for meaningful reforms that prioritize the well-being and prosperity of those who toil tirelessly to cultivate this precious commodity.
Join us as we unravel the tangled web of black market coffee in the North West Region of Cameroon, exposing the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface and advocating for a more just and equitable future for all involved. Together, let us raise our cups in solidarity with the farmers who deserve better, and demand accountability from those who seek to profit at their expense.
Once tightly controlled by an official Cooperative, the coffee market in the North West region underwent a seismic shift in the 1990s with the liberalization of laws governing its purchase and sales.
This transformation brought about the rise of Licensed Buying Agents (LBAs) and a wave of challenges for the farmers who once relied on the Cooperative for their livelihoods.
As we embark on our investigative news series titled "Black Market Coffee," we delve deep into the shadows of this clandestine world to uncover the truths that have long been shrouded in secrecy. Through interviews with coffee farmers in Donga Mantung, Mezam, Menchum, Boyo, and Bui Divisions, we aim to shed light on the impact of these changes on their lives and livelihoods.
Before the liberalization of laws in the 1990s, the official Cooperative held a monopoly over the collection and sale of coffee on behalf of the farmers in the North West Region. This system provided a sense of security and stability for the farmers, ensuring fair prices and reliable access to markets. However, with the introduction of LBAs into the market, this once harmonious relationship was disrupted, leading to a cascade of challenges for the farmers.
Speaking to farmers in the region, we have heard firsthand accounts of how their situation has deteriorated since the arrival of LBAs. Many lament the loss of trust and transparency that characterized their interactions with the Cooperative, as well as the uncertainty that now plagues their daily lives. Farmers report facing fluctuating prices, falsification of measuring instruments, and a lack of accountability from the LBAs, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation.
As we embark on our investigative news series titled "Black Market Coffee," we delve deep into the shadows of this clandestine world to uncover the truths that have long been shrouded in secrecy. Through interviews with coffee farmers in Donga Mantung, Mezam, Menchum, Boyo, and Bui Divisions, we aim to shed light on the impact of these changes on their lives and livelihoods.
Before the liberalization of laws in the 1990s, the official Cooperative held a monopoly over the collection and sale of coffee on behalf of the farmers in the North West Region. This system provided a sense of security and stability for the farmers, ensuring fair prices and reliable access to markets. However, with the introduction of LBAs into the market, this once harmonious relationship was disrupted, leading to a cascade of challenges for the farmers.
Speaking to farmers in the region, we have heard firsthand accounts of how their situation has deteriorated since the arrival of LBAs. Many lament the loss of trust and transparency that characterized their interactions with the Cooperative, as well as the uncertainty that now plagues their daily lives. Farmers report facing fluctuating prices, falsification of measuring instruments, and a lack of accountability from the LBAs, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation.
The black market practices that have emerged in the wake of liberalization have further exacerbated these challenges, creating a breeding ground for corruption and unfair trade practices. Farmers speak of middlemen who siphon off profits, unscrupulous buyers who manipulate measuring instruments, manipulate prices, and a general atmosphere of suspicion and distrust that pervades the market.
In our journey through the world of black market coffee in the North West Region, we seek to amplify the voices of the farmers who have been marginalized and silenced by these opaque practices. We aim to shine a spotlight on the systemic issues that underlie the current state of affairs and advocate for meaningful reforms that prioritize the well-being and prosperity of those who toil tirelessly to cultivate this precious commodity.
Join us as we unravel the tangled web of black market coffee in the North West Region of Cameroon, exposing the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface and advocating for a more just and equitable future for all involved. Together, let us raise our cups in solidarity with the farmers who deserve better, and demand accountability from those who seek to profit at their expense.
By Bakah Derick
Email:debakah2004@yahoo.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77