Cameroon has been implementing various programs and projects aimed at increasing agricultural and animal production to meet national demand and reduce reliance on imports. The country's efforts focus on specific sectors, with notable progress in supporting producers and improving their living conditions, as well as constructing infrastructure. However, the impact on production remains to be significantly improved. According to a recent presentation at the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries, the goal is to reduce imports by 40% between 2024 and 2026.
The country's production targets for specific products, such as fish and milk, have been outlined. For fish, the goal is to increase production from 224,900 tonnes in 2022 to 602,500 tonnes in 2026. For milk, the target is to increase production from 343.9 thousand tonnes in 2022 to 351.9 thousand tonnes in 2026. However, current production levels are still far from these targets. In 2025, Cameroon produced 249,083 tonnes of fish, while importing 267,601 tonnes. Similarly, milk production in 2025 was 183,286 tonnes, with only 17,880 tonnes imported.
The rice sector is another area of focus, with a national development strategy aiming for 750,000 tonnes of production by 2030, representing a 97% self-sufficiency rate. While several projects and programs have been implemented, the country is still far from achieving this goal. Recently, an agreement was signed with Africarice to boost production in the North-West, West, and Grand North regions. The project has already led to a 10% increase in national production, with yields rising from 4.5 tonnes per hectare to 6.0 tonnes.
The project's impact on small-scale producers has been significant, with a 20% increase in average income. Additionally, the area of irrigated land dedicated to rice cultivation has increased by 7,000 hectares. Another project, Proderip-Rcv, is being implemented in the Centre, South, and other regions to develop irrigated and rain-fed rice cultivation by strengthening the value chain.
Cameroon's efforts to boost agricultural production are crucial in reducing the country's dependence on imports and improving food security. The government's initiatives aim to support producers, improve infrastructure, and increase production levels. However, the country's progress toward achieving its targets remains slow.
The Cameroon Tribune reported that various projects have been launched to support the development of agricultural sectors, including rural roads and processing units. These initiatives aim to improve the competitiveness of local producers and increase their access to markets.
Despite the challenges, Cameroon's agricultural sector has shown signs of growth, driven by government support and private sector investment. The country's progress in increasing production levels and reducing import dependence will be closely watched in the coming years.
Key points
- Cameroon aims to reduce imports by 40% between 2024 and 2026.
- The country's production targets for fish and milk are 602,500 tonnes and 351.9 thousand tonnes, respectively, by 2026.
- The rice sector aims for 750,000 tonnes of production by 2030, representing a 97% self-sufficiency rate.
