Brigitte Biwole

Mrs. Brigitte Biwole, a retired Colonel of the Gendarmerie, re-invented herself six years ago as she embraced rice production, applying organic methods, seed production and distribution. She is also involved in paddy rice processing, and parboiled rice – known to consumers in Cameroun as “medical rice.” Mrs. Biwole is currently the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the private cooperative Tout Epices (COOP-CA), which is establishing a strong presence in much of southern Cameroun’s rice sector, contributing locally to broader import substitution policy.

During her professional career with the Cameroonian Gendarmerie, after training at the Inter-Arms Military School (1990–1992) where she graduated as a Lieutenant, she served in several roles including instructor, research officer, and commander of units responsible for training and retraining personnel of all ranks. She rose through the ranks to the position of Colonel of the Gendarmerie.

Mrs. Biwole holds a Bachelor’s degree in public law and also earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Yaoundé and IRIC, respectively. She had participated in numerous peacekeeping and peacebuilding training sessions organized by the United Nations in various countries.

Upon retirement in July 2018, Mrs. Biwole dedicated herself to rice production and have since completed several training sessions (with PRODERIP/MINADER and IRAD), acquiring extensive knowledge and expertise without being an agronomist or scientist. She has been driven purely by passion in the rice systems. “Producing and processing paddy rice has become a passion” that she shares every day with her workers. She has developed skills in sharing ideas and knowledge with many partners, managing human, financial, and material resources, adapting to field and climatic conditions, organization, creativity, and in teamwork.

Mrs. Biwole was born in Fort-Lamy (now N'Djamena), Chad, on July 18, 1960, to Cameroonian parents. Her father worked at the Cotton Company of Chad (COTON TCHAD). She grew up in Chad, where I became familiar with rice cultivation before returning to Cameroon.

Fun anecdote: She is nicknamed “the lady of the green grass” in reference to the germination of rice seeds.