A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlights the potential risks of replacing wild meat with domestic meat for poor households in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The report, titled "Des forêts pour l’alimentation : nourrir les populations, préserver la planète," was published in 2026 and is based on a study conducted in four rural communities in both countries. The study found that wild meat and local fish accounted for a significant portion of animal-based foods consumed by children under five years old.
The study revealed that wild meat and local fish made up 74% of animal-based foods consumed by children under five during the rainy season and 61% during the dry season. These foods provided essential nutrients, including 23% of protein, 11% of iron, 14% of zinc, and 57% of vitamin B12, for children who consumed them. The findings underscore a dilemma between preserving biodiversity and ensuring food security. While hunting puts pressure on wild species, forest-based meat remains a vital source of nutrients for some poor families.
The study also found that households with higher incomes tend to provide more domestic meat to their children. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between household wealth and consumption of wild meat or local freshwater fish. This suggests that wild meat and local fish play a crucial role in equalizing food access, allowing low-income families to provide their children with nutrient-rich animal-based foods.
The FAO warns that proposals to replace wild meat with domestic meat could harm the nutrition of poor households if no alternative nutritional solutions are provided. The organization does not recommend abandoning policies to protect wildlife but emphasizes the need to integrate the food needs of forest-dwelling populations into conservation strategies. The report's findings are based on data from four communities in DR Congo and Cameroon and may not be generalizable to the entire population of either country.
The FAO's report highlights the importance of considering the nutritional needs of poor households in forest conservation efforts. The organization notes that replacing wild meat with domestic meat could exacerbate existing nutritional deficiencies among vulnerable populations. The study's findings have implications for policymakers and conservationists seeking to balance biodiversity preservation with food security.
The consumption of wild meat is a significant issue in the Congo Basin, with an estimated five million tons consumed annually, nearly four times the volume consumed in the Amazon. The FAO's report underscores the need for sustainable and equitable solutions to address the complex relationships between food security, conservation, and human well-being in forest ecosystems.
The FAO's report concludes that addressing the nutritional needs of poor households in forest-dwelling communities requires a nuanced approach that balances conservation goals with food security objectives. The organization recommends that policymakers and conservationists work together to develop context-specific solutions that take into account the complex relationships between human well-being, food security, and biodiversity conservation.
Key points
- Replacing wild meat with domestic meat could worsen nutrition for poor households in DR Congo and Cameroon.
