Report reveals 10 divisions in NW, SW facing food crisis!.

The lengthy document dubbed: “Harmonised framework for the identification and analysis of areas at risk and populations living in food and nutrition insecurity in Cameroon for the March-April 2023 period,” was presented in Yaounde on Wednesday.

This was in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, and his counterpart of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taiga.

According to the report made available to newsmen, between March and May 2023, the food situation throughout the country is said to be “good in four Divisions and relatively acceptable in 37 Divisions”.

The report however immediately stated that: “In contrast, there is a deterioration in 17 Divisions, in five Regions of our country, classified under the crisis phase.

The Divisions include Boyo, Bui, Donga Mantung, Menchum, Mezam, Momo and Ngoketunjia in the troubled North West Region and Kupe-Muanenguba, Lebialem, Meme and Ndian Divisions in the restive South West Region.

In the Littoral Region, Divisions cited include Moungo and Nkam Divisions while those in the Far North Region are Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga Divisions with the Mvila and Ntem Valley Divisions in the South Region.

“The analysis further shows that no Division in Cameroon is classified in the emergency or famine phases,” noted the report.

Disturbing figures

While presenting a summary of the report, Agriculture Minister, Gabriel Mbairobe, explained that “the Harmonised Framework is a unifying tool for a relevant, inclusive, rigorous and transparent analysis of the food and nutrition security situation in a country. It targets, without complacency, the most vulnerable populations and propose the most appropriate responses”.

“It is a tool that enables us, twice a year, to identify risk areas and populations facing food and nutrition insecurity in Cameroon,” he added.

Minister Mbairobe then disclosed that the results of the analysis revealed “11% of the population face acute food insecurity, that is about 3,012,103 people, 1% in the emergency phase, representing 335,899 people, as compared to 253,853 people in March 2022; and 10% in the crisis phase, that is, 2,676,204 people”.

He continued: “Overall, 6,093,718 people are in the pressure phase; that is, 22% of the entire population”.

The Minister said the results of the current food security situation, which was presented to the public Wednesday, revealed that the 2022/2023 farming season had been negatively impacted by the soaring prices of agricultural inputs resulting from the Russia-Ukraine crisis and floods that occurred in August 2022 in the Far North and North Regions, as well as the sudden cessation of rains in the southern part of the country. 

“…pest attacks on crops, especially the fall armyworm in all ten Regions of the country, caused a decrease in agricultural production compared to the previous year,” he added. 

Production on rise despite challenges

Minister Mbairobe however rejoiced that despite the current challenges being faced in production basins across the country, production was on a rise for most of the crops cultivated.

He said the annual production of meat and offal in 2022 is estimated at 327,400 tonnes “which represents an increase of 8% compared to 2021 (304,500 tonnes)”.

“Beef production, which stood at 126,000 tonnes, represented 44% of production, followed by poultry, pork, goat and sheep meat, with respective production of 59,800 tonnes (21%). 46,000 tonnes (16%), 33,200 tonnes (10%) and 25,100 tonnes (9%),” he added.

The Centre and Littoral Regions, he stated, accounted for about 46% of total beef production, that is, 31,200 tonnes for the Centre Region and 26,700 tonnes for the Littoral Region. 

“However, production in the Littoral Region was 8% lower than in 2021,” he added stating that: “Egg production in 2022 was 107,100 tonnes, that is, a slight increase of 2% compared to the production in 2021”.

“Milk production in 2022 was estimated at 173,600 tonnes, that is, an increase of 5% compared to the year 2021, thanks to the revamping of mini-dairies with the support of the private sector.

In 2022, total honey production stood at around 7,800 tonnes, that is, an increase of 12% compared to 2021. Fisheries production in 2022 amounted to 233,100 tonnes, that is, an increase of 4% compared to 2021.In 2022, imports in the livestock, fisheries and animal industries sub-sector were estimated at 268,600 tonnes, as compared to 218,600 tonnes in 2021 that is, an increase of 23%. Frozen sea fish represented more than 90% of total imports,” he continued.

“In general, since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, there has been a decline in agricultural and livestock production in the Far North and North Regions. Despite last year's relatively good harvests, cereal stocks are drastically decreasing on the markets. It is therefore important to replenish national food stocks and ensure their availability for households,” he concluded.