As climate change threatens food security: CEPI schools stakeholders on reducing agricultural loss.

The hybrid session was placed under the theme: “How to reduce agricultural losses from climate change”.

The session, moderated by CEPI's National Coordinator, Haiwang Djamo, also explored the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change-related agricultural losses. 

While presenting CEPI’s missions, Djamo said climate change represents a major threat to food security in Cameroon, particularly through its effects on the transport of agricultural produce. He noted that extreme climatic events, compounded by poor road conditions and insufficient suitable infrastructure, aggravate post-harvest losses. 

Djamo cited a CEPI study, which revealed that 15-35% of agricultural produce deteriorates before reaching markets, exacerbating food insecurity and economic losses.

One of the panelists, Dang Attouh, CEPI Associate Researcher, said there is an urgent need to address agricultural losses linked to climate change, which compromise food security and accentuate Cameroon's trade deficit. 

He pointed out that climatic disruptions affect agricultural production, transport and food preservation, notably due to high temperatures, degraded roads and lack of suitable infrastructure. 

To tackle this, he recommended the opening up of agricultural basins, introducing agricultural insurance, strengthening technical support for producers, and boost the implementation of existing policies such as the Rural Sector Development Strategy, SDSR 2020-2030, to increase the sector’s resilience. 

On his part, the Managing Director of agriculture company, SOAGRIBA, Forbané Gihslin, said agricultural losses linked to climate change are exacerbated by major technical and structural challenges. 

He emphasised that the inadequacy of infrastructure, lack of suitable equipment such as plotters, and difficulties in transporting crops and produce make farmers particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Forbané also pointed out that these technical challenges are compounded by financial obstacles, the absence of support policies, lack of subsidies, and a political will that are not conducive to a profound transformation of the agricultural sector.

The agripreneur then recommended the digitisation of agriculture as a pressing necessity. 

“Climate change, by accelerating losses, should spur modernisation of the sector and greater integration of technology. This mean training them in new practices, promoting reforestation, supporting research into resilient agricultural varieties, and above all investing in technological solutions for more efficient and sustainable agriculture,” he stated.

In addition, the founder of Agripreneurs Food Security, AFS, Benoît Zogo, stressed the importance of agricultural entrepreneurship in boosting food security and reducing post-harvest losses. 

Noting that climate change is forcing young farmers to innovate, network and adopt resilient approaches, he emphasised on the need for more investment in agricultural infrastructure, training for young people, promotion of public-private partnerships, and the strengthening of value chains. He explained that modern, sustainable and technological agriculture is a strategic response to today's climatic and socio-economic challenges. 

The webinar falls in line with CEPI’s objective of improving the quality of economic policies through evidence-based research, debate and advocacy to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of Cameroonians. 

 This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3452 of Thursday May 22, 2025