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Cameroon Profile

Large numbers of Cameroonians live as subsistence farmers. The country is often referred to as "Africa in miniature" for its geological, linguistic and cultural diversity

Although the growth of the petroleum industry since 1980 has resulted in a gradual decline in the importance of agriculture, forestry, and fishing to the gross domestic product (GDP), the sector continues to play a notable role in the economy. Whereas some nine-tenths of the working population was engaged in the sector in the 1970s, three decades later the proportion had dropped to slightly more than half. Primary agricultural and forest products provide about one-third of total export earnings, with sawn wood, cocoa, cotton, banana, rubber and coffee the leading agricultural exports. Small-scale farms are responsible for much of the agricultural exports. The main subsistence crops include plantains, beans, potatoes, yams, cassava (manioc), corn (maize), oil palm, millet and peanuts (groundnuts), 

Cameroon ranks among the world’s largest producers of cocoa beans. Robusta and arabica coffee are grown in the country. Systematic diversification of agricultural production into such crops as palm oil, rubber, and sugar has taken place. Food production has kept pace with population growth, and the country is generally self-sufficient. Domestic consumption of meat is reasonably high for a sub-Saharan African country. Livestock is exported to Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo and hides and skins to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Fisheries development is increasing though Industrial fishing accounts for only a fraction of the catch.

About half of the country is forested, but only about one-third of the available hardwood forest resources are exploited. Nevertheless, the export of sawn wood, which provides more than one-tenth of Cameroon’s export earnings, is one of the country’s most important sources of trade income.

Public Institutes

Cameroon MOA
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Website available in French and English

The train of economic growth is on track. Its trail follows the paths of green gold. Agriculture is becoming one of the key mainstays of our national economy.

In the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, we continue to focus on our mandate: preparing, planning and implementing Government programmes relating to agriculture and rural development, as well as, supervising, which is necessary to protect various value chains in all crop sub-sector; promoting food self sufficiency, inter alia, and moreover on the search of ways to make of agriculture a real economy.

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Ministry of Livestock and fisheries
Website available in French and English

 

Ministry of scientific research Innovation
Website available in French

 

Ministry of forestry and wildlife
Website available in French

 

IRAD

Agricultural Research Institute for the Development - Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD)
Website available in French and English

IRAD is a public institution with financial autonomy. It has decentralised and regional units for agricultural research. The activities concern a wide range of crops: cereals,root and tuber crops, legumes and fruit trees. These activities are partially included in or are complementary with the activities carried out in the Biotechnology laboratory of Ekona, especially for the root and tuber crops.

Yaoudé Univesrity

Biotechnology Centre of Nkolbisson - Centre de Biotechnologie de Nkolbisson, Université de Yaoundé 1
Website available in French

Created around 15 years ago, this centre depends on the Sciences Faculty of the University of Youndé 1. It comprises 2 sections: one section of plant biotechnology and one of animal biotechnology.

 

Agricultural Related Universities

bamenda
University of Bamenda

Website available in French
buea
 
University of Buea
Website available in French

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University of Ngaoundere
Website available in French

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University of Dschang
Website available in French

 

CAMEROON ONLINE RESOURCES

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