Pest attacks on agriculture drive food insecurity in Cameroon
By Synthia Lateu
Cameroon is currently grappling with pest attacks on crops, intensifying the struggle for food security despite agriculture being the backbone of the country’s economy. The availability of food crops is often inconsistent.
A food vendor in Douala, Pegnia Miranda, explained that access to plantains, yams, sweet potatoes, and other items is increasingly difficult due to limited production. “We were buying a bag of yam for 12,000 F; now we are paying 20,000. Transport costs are also rising. The yam is not available,” Miranda lamented. She regretted that she could no longer travel to the Southwest Region to buy yams due to the crisis, as farming has become nearly impossible and safety concerns due to gunfire persist. “We are forced to buy food from only one part of the country,” she added.
Another vendor, Berline, noted that prices have increased over the past few years, making sales unprofitable. “We are told there is no plantain; the production has been poor. Some also complain about rising fuel prices. Everything is expensive, and sweet potatoes, which used to be sold at a favorable price, seem to have disappeared as well.”
The challenges extend to households, as families struggle to secure these necessities, often leading to food insecurity. Housewife Marie is finding it difficult to feed her children amid rising staple prices. “With 2,000 F, I cannot cook enough food for everyone in my house. It is hard,” Marie said while carrying her two-year-old son through the Brazzaville market in the Douala 3 subdivision.
According to Cameroon’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbaïrobe, the country faces significant challenges from pest attacks on food crops, including pest fruit flies, banana pests, and diseases affecting cocoa. “Plant health is crucial for human beings, animal health, and even the health of soils. We experience post-harvest losses of about 60% each year, amounting to approximately $65 million annually. The health of plants is essential for food security,” he emphasized during the opening of the Africa Phytosanitary Program workshop in Douala, running from January 20 to 24. He added that, with the current situation plaguing Africa, it will be increasingly difficult to feed the population.
The African Phytosanitary Program, initiated by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), aims to combat the movement of pests across international borders and enhance food security.
Agriculture and related value chains are vital to most economies in Africa, significantly contributing to the continent’s gross domestic product, exports, and employment for a large portion of the population.
