Months after his bold call for sustainable farming, Parliament is set to begin examining the national law on organic agriculture, proving that one MP’s vision can shape national change
When Hon. Agho Oliver stood before farmers in Bafut-Tubah in April 2024, his message was that the future of farming in Cameroon lies in the soil and how we treat it. He was not just distributing natural manure, maize, and potato seeds that day but he was planting an idea that would soon grow far beyond his constituency.
Less than a year later, that idea has become law. Cameroon’s Parliament has begun discussing the Law Governing Organic Farming (Bill N° 2090PJLAN), a major step that formalises the principles Hon. Agho Oliver had championed long before the national debate caught on.
During that April event, held as the farming season began, Hon. Agho Oliver called on 66 farmer groups to shift toward organic agriculture. His argument was rooted in practicality. He warned of the health and environmental risks of imported fertilisers and pesticides that often entered the country without regulation.
“We must rely on our own resources and protect our soils... Organic farming is not just an option, it is the future.” he told the gathering.
The initiative earned praise from the Divisional Delegate for Agriculture in Mezam, who described it as a model for sustainable local development. At the time, it may have seemed like a localised effort to encourage green farming. But it was, in fact, the beginning of something much larger.
Fast forward to 2025, and the same principles have been woven into national law. The newly proposed organic agriculture framework sets out standards for production, certification, and marketing of organic products. It aims to protect soil fertility, biodiversity, and public health while ensuring fair trade and food safety.
For farmers in Bafut-Tubah, it is a moment of validation. Many of them had already begun experimenting with natural inputs thanks to Hon. Agho Oliver’s early support.
Hon. Agho Oliver’s consistency has been remarkable. His push for organic farming was not a campaign slogan but a working philosophy. He viewed it as a way to build agricultural resilience amid changing weather patterns and rising costs of imported chemicals.
The national law now gives that philosophy structure and authority. It provides a framework for training, certification, and research into organic methods bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern regulation.
In a political landscape often criticised for short-term gestures, Hon. Agho Oliver’s example stands out. He started from the ground literally by supporting smallholders with practical tools and ideas. His early advocacy shows how local leadership can shape national reform when backed by consistency and a clear vision.
As Cameroon rolls out enforcement of the new law, the Bafut-Tubah MP’s promise has become policy. The organic movement he ignited has moved from the farms of Mezam to the floor of Parliament, demonstrating that true leadership begins with listening, acting, and staying the course.
By Bakah Derick
Tel: +237 694 71 85 77
