Cameroon's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, has visited the Northwest region to launch the "Emergency Project To Combat Food crisis In Cameroon" (PULCCA) on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024. The launching of PULCCA is a direct response to the worsening food insecurity affecting certain regions in the country.
Day old chicks handed to farmers
The PULCCA project is a three-year initiative that began in January 2023 and is set to be completed by December 2025. It is financed by a 59.23 billion FCFA World Bank loan, along with an additional 1.48billion FCFA in state funding. The project aims to mitigate the short-term impacts of food and nutrition insecurity in targeted areas, while also strengthening long-term economic, climate, and community resilience.
The World Food Program (WFP) with its experience and expertise has been a pivotal PULCCA project implementation partner across the areas of concern.
Minister Mbairobe explained that; "Mezam Division is the backbone of our agriculture because improved seeds are being produced here. I have come to launch an emergency project to fight against food insecurity. The first component of this project is to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations. We are utilizing the experience and expertise of the World Food Programme to give these people food, cash transfers, seeds, and agricultural inputs.
"The second component is to strengthen the productive capacity of local farmers. This includes providing them with improved seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, and small agricultural tools like power tillers. Some farmers have also been trained to use these power tillers. Additionally, the project will help construct community infrastructure to improve water management and build resilience against climate change shocks. I invite all the farmers to make good use of these inputs and tools. The government will always support them to recover and strengthen their economic capabilities," Gabriel Mbairobe told the Observer.
During the launch event at the MIDENO (North West Development Authority) premises, the focal points began distributing farm inputs to farmers that will help improve their crop yields. These included fertilizers, chicks, fowl droppings, potato seeds, cassava stalks, and plantain suckers, which were provided to farmers from Tubah, Santa, Belo, and Momo. Additionally, power tillers for ploughing farm lands were also distributed.
Power tillers
Plantain seedlings
The distribution of these essential farm inputs is expected to ensure sustainable food production and enhance the livelihoods of the targeted farmers, a key component of the PULCCA project's objectives.
The food security crisis in Cameroon has been driven by a combination of factors, including the soaring global prices of food, fuel, and fertilizers, as well as ongoing domestic conflicts in the Far North, Northwest, and Southwest regions. Climate change has also been a critical factor, weakening Cameroon's economic outlook and exacerbating food insecurity through extreme weather conditions.
Multitude of farmers answered present
The PULCCA project will target the Far North, North, Adamawa, East, Northwest, and Southwest regions, aiming to reach 265,490 beneficiaries affected by food insecurity and vulnerability, as well as 159,000 farmers, breeders, and fishermen. The project will be implemented through a partnership between the World Food Program (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), regional development authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries.
With a total of 60.71 billion FCFA initiative, the Cameroon government hopes to address the to shocks and crises.
By
Munya Charles Babila
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