Stakeholders discuss climate change impact on farmers.

The recently organised session, which brought together close to a score of members, was placed on the theme: “The impact of climate change on farmers”.

During the session, it was disclosed that climate change has had a direct toll on the livelihood of the Cameroonian population with over 70%, whose livelihood depends directly on agriculture, having been affected. 

According to the Programme and Compliance Officer of the Food and Rural Development Foundation, FORUDEF, Tabe Ruth epse Elage, the socioeconomic impact of climate change shocks has and continue to impact both the structurally poor in the society and close to 40% of vulnerable households in the country. 

Taking the case of the South West Region, she observed that climate change has negatively impacted cassava production in Batoke, Eyumojock and Akwaya areas.

“Climate change is causing people to leave their farms and move to crowded or climate-sensitive areas, which is equally causing production to fall,” Tabe Ruth stated. 

In addition, Itua Hansel, member of the Centre for Rural Action, revealed that women, especially those living in conflict areas and indigenous groups, are severely hit by climate change as it account for 75% of workers in the informal agricultural sector who are primarily responsible for the welfare of their households and food security of the country.

Recommendation

Faced with the severe impacts of climate change on farmers, the panelists made recommendations in order to alter the downward trend of farming activities. 

Going by on Itua Hansel, government needs to step up technical and advisory support to farmers, through small-scale holders and support to start-ups.

Also, Fortu Sien of FORUDEF, suggested that on-farm training and inter-cropping to maximise soil nutrients that can improve climate change resilience should be encouraged. 

“Instead of mono-cropping, nitrogen-intensive crops like soy and beans are grouped in cultivation. This will allow regions to adapt cultivation to their changing local climate,” Fortu proposed.

Another panelist, Germaine Stephanie Amassayen from Yaounde-based Agri-AI Company, recommended that more investment should be made on rural infrastructure, irrigation, and storage solutions.

He also appealed on government and its partners to ease access to credit facilities, promote agro-forestry and land management. 

The Cameroon Agriculture Council was called upon to ensure data collection and reporting on the subject matter on a regular basis.

On his part, CEPI founder, Henri Kouam, noted that monthly or quarterly data collection and reporting will support the effective design and implementation of agriculture policies. 

It is worth noting that CEPI aims to improve the quality of economic policies through fact-based research, debates, and advocacy on reducing poverty and improving livelihoods of Cameroonians.