Agriculture in Cameroon: Proposed Strategies to Sustain Productivity

Authors

  • Wilfred A. Abia School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET), Institute for Management and Professional Training (IMPT), PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Camerooon, School of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, COSET, IMPT, PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Cameroon, Integrated Risk Assessment Team of the Integrated Health for All Foundation (iRATI-IHAF), Cameroon
  • Conalius E. Shum School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET), Institute for Management and Professional Training (IMPT), PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Camerooon, Integrated Risk Assessment Team of the Integrated Health for All Foundation (iRATI-IHAF), Cameroon
  • Richard N. Fomboh School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET), Institute for Management and Professional Training (IMPT), PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Camerooon, School of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, COSET, IMPT, PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Epole N. Ntungwe School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET), Institute for Management and Professional Training (IMPT), PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Camerooon, School of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, COSET, IMPT, PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Markjovert T. Ageh School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET), Institute for Management and Professional Training (IMPT), PO Box 31717, Yaounde, Camerooon, Integrated Risk Assessment Team of the Integrated Health for All Foundation (iRATI-IHAF), Cameroon

Keywords:

Agriculture, Cameroon:, Proposed, Strategies, Sustain, Productivity

Abstract

The agriculture sector in Cameroon is amongst the main occupations for over 70% of citizens  and contributes enormously to the country’s economy. The lack of access to adequate amounts of safe and nutritious food is a public health concern worldwide and particularly in Cameroon. Due to its agro-ecological diversity, Cameroon has great potentials for agricultural production to contribute towards its over 23 million people and beyond, thus contributing towards feeding the world’s 9 billion people. Until the late 80s, Cameroon was considered self-sufficient in agricultural production and played a role of food garret for its neighbouring countries. Since early 90s, Cameroon began spending billions of francs CFA to import large quantities of food items (rice, maize, onion, tomatoes, milk and poultry) even though relying on national productshas a clear comparative  dvantage. This has been very worrisome as it undermines local production potentials and pushes many producers out of the production chain as a result of unfair competition. The challenges are numerous (but not impossible) including low levels of input e.g. via governments subsidies as well as the expected adverse impact of climate change on agriculture now and in the future. This review is a summary of agricultural systems and food crop productivity in Cameroon, with some recommended strategies to improve agricultural practices to ensure sustainable increase in food production capacity and food security in Cameroon. 

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Published

2016-02-29

How to Cite

Abia, W. A., Shum, C. E., Fomboh, R. N., Ntungwe, E. N., & Ageh, M. T. (2016). Agriculture in Cameroon: Proposed Strategies to Sustain Productivity. International Journal For Research In Agricultural And Food Science, 2(2), 01–12. Retrieved from https://gnpublication.org/index.php/afs/article/view/351

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2016): International Journal For Research In Agricultural And Food Science

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Articles

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