The Government of Cameroon has approved a FCFA 16.5 billion(≈USD 29.75m) budget for 2026 to support the development of livestock and aquaculture value chains, officials confirmed during the sixth steering committee session of the Project for the Development of Livestock and Pisciculture Value Chains (PDCVEP) held in Yaoundé. The allocation is aimed at modernising production systems, expanding commercial activity and boosting rural employment and incomes in the livestock and fish sectors.
Chaired by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taïga, the meeting reviewed progress made in 2025 and endorsed plans for the coming year. Under the PDCVEP framework, the government has continued efforts to strengthen rural value chains, with a particular focus on infrastructure, entrepreneurship support and productivity gains that can feed into broader economic growth.
A key highlight of the previous year was the incubation of young agro-pastoral entrepreneurs. National project coordinator Dr Aboubakar Njoya told committee members that 275 young graduates participated in incubation programmes across 11 centres in Cameroon’s ten regions in 2025, with 266 completing training and developing viable business plans. Each of those graduates received a FCFA 1 million start-up or reinforcement grant as part of an investment of FCFA 266 million targeted at empowering rural youth and fostering entrepreneurship in livestock and aquaculture.
The steering committee session also addressed progress in infrastructure and contract awards under the project. Contracts for construction of the Bamenda industrial cattle abattoir were signed, and work has begun on 21 artificial insemination centres, with 13 already under construction, according to Dr Njoya. Additional contracts were signed for bovine fattening centres on ranches operated by the Livestock Development and Exploitation Corporation (SODEPA). Market facility development has also progressed, with 17 meat and fish markets commissioned nationwide and eight more underway.
Plans for 2026 include further expansion of aquaculture capacity, with the construction of two broodstock production stations and the distribution of 360 improved pig breeding stock to enhance domestic production capabilities. The PDCVEP also aims to increase fish output by looking to add around 10 000 tonnes of production annually by 2027 under the broader strategic framework supported by a FCFA 55 billion financing package from the African Development Bank. These measures are intended to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen food security while expanding rural income opportunities.
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