🌱 Agriculture in Cameroon 🌱

Cameroon is a beautiful country located in Central Africa. The history of agricultural farming dates back thousands of years, with communities cultivating agricultural products such as cocoa, coffee and cassava. Today, agriculture remains a hugely important industry in Cameroon and is arguably the backbone of Cameroon's economy. Thus it is clear to see the importance of agriculture in the daily lives of people in Cameroon. For generations Cameroonians have lived in harmony with their land, passing down knowledge from generation to generation. Although many Cameroonian farmers face new, unprecedented changes, they continue to adapt, blending traditional ideas with modern advancements. 

The History and Cultural Importance of  Agriculture in Cameroon

Agricultural farming has a deep history in Cameroon, dating back thousands of years around 2500 BC where farmers used land to cultivate crops such as oil palm and pearl millet. Fast forward to the colonial period between 1914-1960, cocoa became the main crop exported and had a significant importance in the country's economy.  Around “50 per cent of all export earnings came from the sale of cocoa” with the crop being grown mostly on small holding family farms. After Cameroon gained independence (French Cameroon in 1960 and British Southern Cameroon in 1961), the government began to lead development on agricultural farming. They set up programmes which encouraged economic growth and rural development—for example, providing more support for smallholders farmers through training and education, and providing financial support for fertilisers and seeds.  

Farming communities vary across Cameroon due to the diverse landscapes. For example, in the North the conditions are drier, so the main crops are cotton and millet. The mountains and humid rain forest of the central and southern regions encourage the growth of yams, cocoa, plantain and cassava. Interestingly, women make up more than half of the agricultural workforce and are considered the heart of agricultural farming in Cameroon as they are responsible for 90% of agricultural crop production. Their roles range from planting and harvesting, to selling produce to ensure household food security. Importantly these women continue on cultural traditions and preserve local knowledge on crops and biodiversity. There is also a deep cultural importance and meaning to agricultural farming in Cameroon. It connects deeply to heritage and ancestry. Farming today in Cameroon connects to ancestral local traditions, for example, farmers use techniques passed down through generations. Even with new difficulties arising, the cultural and historical importance of agricultural farming in Cameroon still endures.

What Agriculture Means for the Economy

In many ways, agriculture is the foundation of Cameroon’s economy. It plays a huge part in sustaining the country's growth and the livelihood of the people. Around 70% of the Cameroonian population works in farming, mostly in small groups of 1-5 people who depend on farming to feed their family. When feeding their family, most individuals rely on millet, plantain, beans and ground nuts. Agricultural crops and forest products such as sawn wood, cocoa, coffee and cotton provide one third of Cameroon’s total export earnings, and Cameroon is one of the largest producers of cocoa beans. 

Beyond this financial importance, agriculture in Cameroon feeds communities and ensures food security without the reliance on imported goods, which are often costly. The community element also extends to its ability to support small business, rural development, create jobs and importantly allows families to put money into healthcare and school. While agriculture remains the core of Cameroon’s economy, there are new challenges that make the future of this sector unpredictable.

Challenges and New Developments

Problems surrounding climate change, soil degradation and limited access to modern tools, technology and funding, makes farming in Cameroon uncertain. Post-colonisation, a huge turning point for agriculture in Cameroon, came with the economic crisis of 1987. After continuous steady growth of the GDP, in 1987/88 the GDP dropped by 9% and continued to decline slowly in the following years. Some key reasons for this are due to a fall in the global market price of agricultural crops and raw materials, internal economic mismanagement, and an overdependence on agriculture to support the economy. This crisis led to the government reducing state-led agricultural organisations (which had previously supported farmers) and increased privatised bodies. These changes stabilised the economy but left small holder farmers in a precarious situation, with them no longer being able to afford or have access to vital resources. 

In more recent years, climate change has created new challenges for Cameroon’s farmers, such as unpredictable rainfall, extreme weather such as floods and droughts, and soil degradation. Additionally limited access to resources mean farmers still have to rely on hand tools, and poor rural infrastructure such as roads, which makes it difficult for farmers to transport their goods to the market to sell.

Although these challenges still persist today, new developments are promising. There are a range of charitable organisations working with farmers and providing access to equipment and seeds. Technology is also being used to help farmers, such as technology that predicts weather and market trends. Apps such as Agrix Tech use AI to help small holder farmers increase productivity and diagnose crop diseases. 

Although there are exciting new developments in technology, the traditional farming practices are still just as valuable. Farmers adopt climate-smart practices such as agroforestry systems, improving soil fertility through improved fallows, and other diversification strategies. These strategies are important as they provide long-term stability, and allow farmers to adapt to unpredictable climate/weather changes. There is still an emphasis on sharing knowledge within the community such as learning to predict the weather through reading the signs given in nature. This blend of traditional farming and new technological advancements could create a bright future for agricultural farming in Cameroon.

Conclusion

Agriculture is not just about trade and the economy, it’s about people and community. Farmers use their land to support the next generation through providing nutritious food, health care and investing in schools for their children. For many families in Cameroon, the welfare of children is tied to the success of farming, when there is a bad harvest, families struggle to afford school, food and healthcare. 

Supporting a charity such as Children of Cameroon can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many. It can ensure that even in the face of agricultural uncertainty, children can have their basic needs met. By empowering local communities, not only will children in Cameroon have access to education, food security and healthcare, but it will provide the children with the tools to shape a better future for themselves and their community. 

Learn more about the children we support and how you can help. 🤝