Reconsidering Existing Approach!

Public speeches in the country vis-à-vis agriculture and what is being done to revamp production so as to conveniently feed the po­ pulation and even export surpluses to ready markets within and wi­ thout Africa seem to be yielding far less results than the needs of the time. Talk of food safety is still far-fetched in some parts and the State continues to spend huge sums of sometimes scarce liquidity on imports of food items, most of which the country has potentials to produce in great quantities. There seems to be a missing link between what is said and even so­ metimes done with the reality on the ground. Producing over 200,000 metric tonnes of rice annually, for instance, when national demand is above 600,000 leaves a huge gap of more than 400,000 tonnes. Although the magnitude might be different with other high-consumer products like fish, wheat and palm oil et al, the bottom line is that Cameroon’s agricultural production is yet to meet the food self-sufficiency vision expressed severally by the country’s chief executive. As such, the country catches a cold each time global food supply chain experiences disruptions. Disquieting indeed, looking at the vast fertile arable lands and conducive climate for high yields. Visibly, existing strategies implemented through the multiple projects and programmes keep the country at subsistence level. There is a serious problem here. A nation with long-term lofty development vision, like Cameroon, cannot struggle or import to feed its population. It is common knowledge that food self-sufficiency is one of the bedrocks for any meaningful sustainable growth. Quality and quantity food supply gives much-needed stability to do whatever work. It is equally one of the ingredients to good health. A well-fed citizen with quality food would, all other things being equal, possess the strength and good health to work towards deve­ loping the country. Sustainable agriculture is also a good source for raw materials. Dre...