Achieving rice self-sufficiency through RVCDP: Gov’t targets 17,000 hectares of irrigated rice farmland by 2027.

The commitment was reaffirmed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe.

He was speaking as President of the Steering Committee of the Rice Value Chain Development Project, while presiding over the 7th Steering Committee meeting on Saturday, July 2, 2026, in Bamenda.

In attendance was the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, who also serves as Vice President of the Steering Committee, alongside the President of the North West Regional Assembly, Professor Fru Angwafo. 

Also present was the National Coordinator of the project, Muluh Grigory, members of the steering committee, development partners and other stakeholders.

Minister Gabriel Mbairobe in his opening remarks, described rice as one of Cameroon’s most important staple foods whose increase in local production remains priority to government’s strategy to strengthen national food security and reduce dependence on imports.

He said the Rice Value Chain Development Project is a vital vehicle through which government “intends to reduce import dependencies, boost local production and improve the livelihoods of our hardworking farmers”.

Mbairobe disclosed that government is working to increase irrigated rice production areas to about 17,000 hectares while plans are equally underway to establish a rice processing plant with an annual processing capacity of about 100,000 tonnes. 

This, he said, is expected to significantly improve domestic rice production and enable the country to meet the growing demand for rice. He sounded upbeat that by 2027, the project would be in a position to satisfy the rice needs of the Cameroonians.

Officials used the meeting to assess the project’s implementation progress and evaluate achievements recorded since the previous meeting held on December 30, 2025. 

Members reviewed the project’s progress report as of June 24, 2026, examining operational achievements, implementation challenges and strategies for improving project execution.

Zoom on achievements

The committee disclosed that significant milestones have already been recorded. They cited the signing of protocol agreements with the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, IRAD; the supply of foundation rice seeds to the project and their distribution to 121 trained seed multipliers, ongoing land development works, the construction of market infrastructure, rehabilitation of access roads and warehouses, progress in constructing the Project Implementation Unit office, capacity-building activities across project sites, recruitment of design and supervision consultants, and others.

Challenges & way forward 

Despite the achievements, stakeholders acknowledged that the rice sector continues to face major challenges, particularly inadequate irrigated land, insufficient mechanisation and limited post-harvest facilities. 

To address these constraints, the committee examined measures aimed at increasing the number of ploughing machines, combine harvesters and winnowers to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

Minister Mbairobe called on members of the steering committee to provide rigorous oversight and strategic guidance to ensure the successful implementation of the project. 

He stressed that the ultimate objective is to maximise benefits for local rice farmers while guaranteeing affordable and sufficient rice supplies for consumers across the country.

He further noted that the development of the rice sector remains a priority for President Paul Biya, whose government continues to invest in programmes aimed at strengthening food security, creating employment opportunities and reducing the country’s dependence on imported rice.

With the expansion of irrigated farmland, increased mechanisation and improved processing capacity, officials expressed optimism that the Rice Value Chain Development Project will play a transformative role in modernising Cameroon’s rice industry and moving the country closer to self-sufficiency by 2027.

About the RVCDP

Launched in 2024, the RVCDP already benefits multiple localities. In the North West, it covers the Ndop plain in Ngoketunjia Division, the Mbaw/Mbonso plain in Bui and Donga Mantung Divisions, as well as the Bafut/Tingoh valley in Mezam and Menchum Divisions. 

In the West Region, it is operational in Bangourain in Noun Division and Santchou in Menoua Division. Meanwhile, in the Far North, the project is assisting farmers in the Maga Basin in Mayo Danay Division.

The main objective of the project is to contribute to rice self-sufficiency, economic growth, and improved household incomes, while at the same time supporting private sector participation in the rice value chain. 

Specifically, the RVCDP seeks to increase rice production and productivity through modern farming and post-harvest technologies, improve smallholder farmers’ incomes while reducing poverty and food insecurity, particularly for women and youth, and strengthen institutional capacities for sustainable rice production, processing, and marketing. 

It also aims to create an enabling environment for agricultural enterprises such as processing and milling centers, which will provide competitive rice-based products for the market.

The project is built around seven main components. These include raising rice production and productivity, strengthening links to markets, fostering enabling policies and institutions, rehabilitating and constructing social infrastructure, ensuring effective project management and coordination, carrying out audits, and implementing contingency emergency responses when necessary.

The project seeks to increase national rice production by 10 percent and raise productivity from 4.5 tons per hectare to 6 tons per hectare. 

It is also projected to create 253,000 jobs, with half of them for women and youth, while boosting the average income of small-scale food producers by 20 percent. 

The RVCDP is supported by several financial partners. The Islamic Development Bank, IsDB is providing 79.4 million euros, BADEA 17.6 million euros, the OPEC Fund 22 million euros, the Kuwait Fund 17.6 million euros, the Saudi Fund 18.5 million euros, and the Abu Dhabi Fund 27.7 million euros. 

The government is contributing 12.7 million euros, bringing the total project financing to over 122.6 billion FCFA.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3839 of Monday July 06, 2026