Modern trends in agricultural development in cameroon and ways to ensure its sustainability

Abstract

It has been established that agriculture is the backbone of Cameroon's economy, engaging 80% of the labor force and contributing 22.3% of gross domestic product and 30% of export revenues. The agricultural sector supplies a variety of products to both domestic and foreign markets, including cocoa, coffee, cotton, bananas, palm oil, tobacco, tea, pineapple, corn, millet, sorghum, yams, potatoes, beans, and rice. The livestock sector is also significant across the country, playing a crucial role in the northern region. The main goal of agricultural development in Cameroon is to ensure food security, which is increasingly influenced by the globalization of climate change. The country is characterized by a "product concept," focusing on ensuring the physical and economic availability of agricultural food. Strategic priorities for agricultural development include mobilizing local resources for intensive production while considering environmental requirements. The article notes that specialized regions for producing certain types of products have emerged, enhancing agricultural productivity. However, differences in productivity indicators between farms and research stations indicate untapped potential for improving production efficiency. Key characteristics of agricultural production development in Cameroon include a low level of technical support; an increase in farm land area; a prevalence of small commodity producers; low farmer incomes; dominance of informal economic relations; reliance on manual labor; limited access to loan financing; and low participation in value-added chains. It has been proven that intensifying investment activity in agriculture and implementing measures from the national strategic plan will create conditions for effective development and modernization of production infrastructure. Access to financing sources and other components essential for sustainable development will also be improved. One condition for sustainable agricultural development is the intensification of production, which promotes ecological and social sustainability. Important instruments for achieving this include technological innovations aimed at introducing new or improved agro-technologies, modern management practices, new breeds of livestock and poultry, integrated soil fertility improvement practices, and reducing reliance on manual labor. Innovative solutions must be aligned with the specifics of production processes while considering environmental impacts and resource efficiency.