Cameroon, November 2024

Strengthening Cameroon’s Agricultural Sector: Key Milestones and Future Pathways

Yaoundé 25-26 November 2024

Cameroon’s agriculture sector has taken significant steps forward with a focus on enhancing rice production, thanks to a collaborative mission led by the Regional Advisor (RA) in November 2024. This mission aimed to address challenges, validate key frameworks, and prepare for the pivotal ECCAS meeting scheduled for February 2025.

Progress Highlights

1. Finalization of Indicators Table
   The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADR) finalized and validated a comprehensive table of 13 indicators. These metrics, refined during the June 2024 workshop, will serve as a foundation for monitoring and evaluation. Their validation ensures alignment with national goals and supports data-driven policymaking, particularly in the strategic rice sector.
2. Validation of Concept Notes
   Concurrent with the indicators, the concept notes were also validated, bolstering Cameroon’s capacity to attract investment. A major success is the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) commitment to fund the rehabilitation of 200,000 hectares of agricultural infrastructure. Complementing this, the Government of Cameroon pledged to rehabilitate an additional 400,000 hectares, highlighting a shared vision for agricultural transformation.
3. Preparation for ECCAS Meeting
   Cameroon is poised to host the first ECCAS meeting dedicated to developing a regional rice strategy. This event underscores the country’s leadership in regional agricultural collaboration.
4. Engagement with the World Bank
   The discussions with the World Bank’s new Senior Agriculture Economist, focused on securing co-financing for the ECCAS February workshop. Materials outlining the initiative’s goals and the workshop’s tentative terms of reference were shared, with further follow-ups planned to align objectives.

Conclusion

This mission underscored Cameroon’s commitment to advancing its agricultural agenda. The validation of critical frameworks and mobilization of resources have laid a robust foundation for future initiatives. By addressing existing challenges and leveraging upcoming opportunities such as the ECCAS meeting, Cameroon is well-positioned to drive regional agricultural development and ensure food security for its people.