To face the issue squarely, Cameroon is one of the rare countries on earth with all ecological zones that favour the cultivation of virtually all types of food crops both for local consumption and export. Paradoxically, we still spend so much foreign currency each year importing food items, thereby keeping our trade balance in a deficit.
Thus, the President told CPDM supporters that: “The most paradoxical result is that in order to feed its population, our country has to import food that it cannot only produce, but, also export, thus obviously exacerbating our trade balance deficit instead of improving it.” A situation he found intolerable. Deploring such a painful reality is the least that the Head of State can do given the agricultural potentials of Cameroon. Without going back to existing data on food and cash crop production, it suffices to say that rice, beans, maize, cassava, wheat, and other food crops do well across Cameroon yet some people still go without food . This could be an indication that people either lack production capital or their purchasing power is too low to afford such basic commodities.
Drawing attention to the problem of food importation at the peak of a political party event like the congress of the ruling party can only be seen as a pointer to the fact that those who go out to talk for the party must bear in mind the stakes of any electioneering issues. As expected, the President pointed to inadequate drinking water, electricity and alternate sources of energy. These are key sections of national life that are handled by cadres of the CPDM who need constant probing to consider public wellbeing as priority. Of course, this is a big question that all those who left the CPDM Congress last Friday must be able to mention the concrete measures being put in place to improve the livelihoods of rural people such that Cameroon’s agricultural potentials can be transformed into reality.
It may not just be about talking or coming up with new slogans. The issue will be more about telling the people how relevant the CPDM party can be as far as guaranteeing their future wellbeing. Luckily, another bank to finance agricultural production was created recently in the country and those in charge have the challenge therefore to ensure its effective take off so that the paradox about the country’s food production can be ended.
