Cameroon has intensified aquaculture training for agronomists and pisciculture professionals in a bid to boost domestic fish production and reduce reliance on imports, officials said.
The Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINADER) concluded a four-day capacity-building workshop on February 1 in Yaoundé, training around 30 participants from all ten regions of the country. Attendees received instruction on pond management, fish nutrition, artificial breeding, and post-harvest conservation techniques such as smoking and processing, according to MINADER.
The workshop, supported by the Caisse de Développement de la Pêche Maritime, also included practical sessions to give participants hands-on experience of real-world aquaculture operations. Organisers said the aim was to equip professionals with the skills needed to advise and support grassroots producers, enhance productivity, and strengthen the competitiveness of locally farmed fish.
A key component of the training focused on producing local fish feed, a persistent challenge for Cameroon’s aquaculture industry due to high input costs and limited availability. By training professionals to produce affordable, locally sourced feed, the government hopes to reduce farmers’ dependence on imported inputs and improve the profitability of fish farming operations.
Cameroon’s strategy forms part of a broader national effort to cut imports of frozen fish and strengthen food security. Official figures indicate that domestic fish production remains far below national demand, with an estimated 270,000-tonne shortfall against total consumption of around 500,000 tonnes per year. To address this, the government has rolled out the Integrated Agropastoral and Fish Import-Substitution Plan (PIISAH) 2024–2026, which aims to increase local production to over 450,000 tonnes by 2030 and limit import dependency to approximately 3% of domestic needs.
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Fish is one of the most consumed sources of animal protein in Cameroon. Per-capita consumption averages 15.4 kilograms annually, representing a significant share of household protein intake, according to MINADER and FAO statistics. Officials say expanding local aquaculture is crucial to meeting the dietary needs of a growing population while conserving foreign exchange that is currently spent on importing fishery products.
The training aligns with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (NDS30), which prioritizes structural transformation of the economy and strengthening production sectors. NDS30 aims to increase supply of aquaculture and fisheries products by at least 7.5% over 2023–2025 while reducing import volumes, thereby supporting rural employment and economic self-sufficiency.
Participants in the workshop described the training as timely and valuable. They said learning modern production methods, feed formulation, and operational techniques would enhance their capacity to advise local farmers effectively and improve yields. The initiative also equips regional agronomists and industry actors to help producers optimize farm operations and reduce losses caused by poor management or outdated practices.
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Cameroon’s efforts to develop aquaculture reflect a broader government policy to expand strategic sectors capable of narrowing the gap between domestic demand and national production. By investing in skills development, technical support, and sustainable production methods, authorities hope to foster a more resilient fisheries industry that can satisfy local consumption needs and reduce dependency on imports.
Officials said the program underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that Cameroon’s aquaculture sector becomes a driver of rural employment, food security, and economic growth while addressing structural challenges such as high input costs, limited technical expertise, and underdeveloped supply chains.
“With improved training and capacity-building, we can strengthen domestic aquaculture and gradually reduce our reliance on imported fish,” a MINADER spokesperson said. “This initiative is an essential step toward food self-sufficiency, rural development, and economic resilience for Cameroon.”
