Cameroon has officially launched its 2026 agricultural season, setting ambitious targets to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on food imports, as part of a broader effort to strengthen food security and economic resilience.
The campaign was inaugurated in Bamougoum, where Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriel Mbaïrobe presided over a ceremony attended by farmers’ cooperatives, administrative authorities, development partners and regional officials. The event coincided with the onset of seasonal rains in the southern zone, marking the start of planting activities.
The launch also provided an opportunity to review the 2025 agricultural year, which was marked by uneven climatic conditions that disrupted production across several regions. Authorities said erratic rainfall patterns, combined with broader economic constraints, weighed on multiple agricultural value chains, limiting overall performance.
Against this backdrop, the government is positioning 2026 as a consolidation year focused on restoring growth and strengthening resilience in the sector. Officials are prioritising higher productivity, improved farm management practices and structural reforms aimed at modernising agriculture.
Central to this strategy is the expansion of mechanisation and improved access to inputs. Authorities plan to scale up the distribution of enhanced seeds and deploy more agricultural equipment, including tractors, harvesters and processing machinery, across key production zones. These measures are expected to improve efficiency throughout the production cycle, from land preparation to post-harvest handling.
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The government is also increasing investment in seed production to support long-term sustainability. Plans include the development of 500 hectares of seed fields in Yoko and 2,000 hectares in the Mbam and Kim basins, aimed at ensuring a stable supply of high-quality planting materials.
In parallel, efforts to improve access to fertilisers and phytosanitary products are being intensified. Local producers report that availability of these inputs has improved compared to previous seasons, raising expectations of higher yields during the current campaign.
Authorities have set clear production targets for 2026, focusing on key staple and industrial crops. Rice output is projected to reach 400,000 tonnes, reflecting the government’s determination to reduce dependence on imports of the commodity. Palm oil production is also expected to increase by an additional 40,000 tonnes.
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“These efforts aim to operationalise the import-substitution policy initiated in 2023,” Mbaïrobe said, adding that tangible results—particularly in rice production—are anticipated by the end of the current agricultural plan.
The 2026 agricultural campaign is aligned with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (NDS30), which seeks to transform the economy through industrialisation and greater self-sufficiency in key sectors. By strengthening domestic agricultural production, authorities aim to reduce the country’s import bill while supporting agro-industrial development and rural incomes.
Digital transformation is also emerging as a key pillar of the strategy. Officials expect progress in the digitalisation of agriculture in 2026, including the use of data-driven tools and technologies to improve farm management, monitor production and enhance decision-making.
In addition, the government is advancing the “Central Plain” project, designed to promote medium- and large-scale farming while attracting private investment into the sector. The initiative is expected to expand production capacity and accelerate the modernisation of agricultural practices.
Cameroon’s renewed focus on agriculture reflects broader trends across Africa, where governments are seeking to strengthen food systems in response to climate risks, global supply disruptions and rising import costs. By combining policy reforms, infrastructure investment and targeted support for farmers, authorities aim to build a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector.
If successfully implemented, the 2026 strategy could mark a turning point in Cameroon’s efforts to achieve greater food self-sufficiency, reduce import dependence and position agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.
Cameroon has officially launched its 2026 agricultural season, as authorities step up efforts to boost domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports.
Policy objective: import substitution and food security
- The 2026 season is part of a broader government strategy to increase local output and cut food imports, which continue to weigh on public finances and expose the country to global price shocks.
- This aligns with Cameroon’s long-running import substitution policy, targeting staples such as rice, maize, fish, milk, and palm oil.
Structural supply gaps
- Despite being agriculturally rich, Cameroon faces chronic production shortfalls in key commodities:
- Palm oil alone has a deficit of over 500,000 tonnes annually, forcing heavy imports.
- Between 2017 and 2023, the country spent hundreds of billions of CFA francs on imports, highlighting persistent supply gaps.
- Similar gaps exist in rice, dairy, and fish, reinforcing the urgency of boosting domestic production.
Measures to raise output
- The government and regional agencies are scaling up support to farmers through:
- distribution of improved seeds and fertilisers,
- provision of farm equipment,
- training in climate-smart agriculture,
- and strengthening of agricultural value chains.
- Recent programmes have already reached tens of thousands of farmers, improving yields and resilience.
