Food Security : Great Mobilisation

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the unfortunate Russia-Ukraine conflict, are two major events that have greatly affected the movement of goods across the world. The global impact has left many economies fragile in the face of food supply. Amongst the various topics that came under discussion between Presidents Paul Biya and Emmanuel Macron during his official visit to Cameroon was that of food security; something both Statesmen agreed must be addressed immediately. Improving agricultural production, the two leaders settled, is the best way out of food insecurity. The government of Cameroon has on her part been encouraging agriculture through its import-substitution policy. 
To better match words with actions, on the side lines of the visit of the French President, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gilbert F. Houngbo, and the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) Rémy Rioux signed a memorandum of Understanding on July 26, 2022 in the presence of the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey. From the partnership agreement, Cameroon can count on IFAD and AFD for support in its work to strengthen the resilience of small-scale agricultural producers. In essence, the agreement aims to translate the operational application in Cameroon of the framework agreement signed between the two abovementioned institutions in July 2021. 
A press statement on the agreement indicates that FDA and IFAD, in close collaboration with the Cameroonian authorities, are confirming their common intervention strategy, particularly in strengthening the technical and management capacities of agricultural producers; the productivity of family farming; the sustainability of agricultural practices, access to financing for produ...