Plantation Agriculture: Prioritizing Long-term Ecological Stability, Sustainable Rubber Production

Sud Cameroun Hévéa S.A. (Sudcam), located in Ocean Division of the South Region has over the years established itself as a model of natural rubber production in Cameroon, successfully balancing agricultural development with environmental stewardship and community empowerment. 
According a Sudcam senior official, Jimmy Francis, the company dedicates 25,000 hectares of its concession as a permanently protected Community Forest. This is jointly managed with the government and local communities to preserve its ecological and cultural value for future generations. 
Sudcam creates over 1,300 direct employment positions and nearly 3,000 indirect opportunities, Jimmy says. It has established nine fully-equipped villages accommodating 4,000 residents, each equipped with reliable electricity, clean water systems, and comprehensive community facilities. 
In the healthcare sector, Sudcam’s 50-bed central hospital and six dispensaries conduct more than 2,000 medical consultations annually, supplemented by free treatment programmes for vulnerable groups and round-the-clock emergency services, he discloses. 
According to Francis, Sudcam’s educational initiatives encompass six bilingual primary schools and two secondary institutions. Some 86 dedicated educators provide quality instruction to over 1,300 students. Emphasis...