Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-04-09 14:56:18
The Cameroon government has announced a plan to decrease cereal imports by 35% by 2028 in order to enhance food security and decrease reliance on imported cereals. This initiative is part of a five-year development plan for wheat production that was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development earlier this year.
The development plan, valued at FCFA 417 billion, will be supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with financial collaborators. Wheat is the second most consumed cereal in Cameroon after maize, with around 900,000 tons being consumed annually, according to Ministry data.
There is a notable reliance on cereal imports in Cameroon, with the country importing approximately 900,000 tons of wheat in 2021, totaling 182.5 billion FCFA. Import levels rose in early 2022, with over 920 tons imported at a value of 260.7 billion FCFA.
In response to this dependency on imports, the government has initiated an extensive import substitution campaign, leading to the introduction of a five-year development plan aimed at increasing wheat production within the country. This newly revealed plan covers the years 2024 to 2028 and is believed by experts to be strategically developed to significantly decrease Cameroon’s reliance on cereal imports.
Funded by the government and development partners, the primary goal of the plan is to revitalize wheat production and processing by the end of the five-year period. This objective highlights the government’s efforts to promote import substitution, stimulate agricultural self-sufficiency, and boost domestic production.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
