Since the dawn of independence, Cameroon has made untold attempts at promoting the agricultural sector.

The rich subsoil and the diversity in ecological zones in the country have all favourably contributed to the ability of Cameroonians to feed themselves and neighbouring countries.
However, critics rightfully think that the country is far behind expectations in agricultural output, given the existing human, material, and natural resources.

Most cash crops like coffee, cocoa, and rice among others, have often witnessed fluctuating results, often falling below the required standards at the international level. A country like Malaysia is said to have taken oil palm seedlings from Cameroon and later emerged as world producer of palm oil, while Cameroon remains at the budding stage in spite of the vast lands and other potentials that exist.
Over the years, the petroleum boom that some CEMAC countries witnessed seemed to give the wrong signals to Cameroonians, especially the youth that the country is lagging in economic progress. But recent unprecedented drop in world crude oil prices must have rung a bell to those who thought the petroleum Eldorado was ideal. Faithful to the options that Cameroon has engaged from the early days of independence, President Paul Biya came back forcefully to the call for young people to fold their sleeves and take farming.

Hear him in his Youth Day eve message to the nation; “The development of our agricultural sector will be accorded a prime place. In this regard, I urge you to truly revolutionize your mindset. The soil has never betrayed anyone. Do not be afraid to take the plunge and become the agricultural entrepreneurs that Cameroon needs. It is a noble and rewarding trade in the so-called real economy.”

The call for agricultural entrepreneurship in the Head of State’s message was not hazardous. Farming for subsistence is almost not a concern in most parts of the country. Yet, it is imperative to go beyond farming for household needs to embrace large-scale production for both domestic and foreign markets. There are many who, through agriculture, have sponsored their offsprings to university and there is no reason why such a sector should be abandoned today because those involved are growing old and weaker. Cocoa and coffee farming are clear cases where the elderly who made fortunes out of the sectors are ageing, but the younger generation remains hesitant to take over.

Those who have been bold enough to overcome the scare of financial hurdles and other setbacks like land acquisition and administrative bottlenecks have buoyant stories to tell. Of course, the Head of State took full measure of the problems that the youth face by calling on those who have made it in the cities to show the example by either taking the lead or making the rural environment more farming-friendly.

Mass production of most farm produce in Cameroon has often suffered from the triple barriers of transportation, conservation and processing. Thus, even where youth make up their minds to embrace agriculture, there have often been challenging problems which hold back their progress.

All the setbacks notwithstanding, there are many who have had unbridled breakthroughs and are serving as eye-openers to others. They have not only taken bold steps in farming, but are even offering jobs to their peers. This is the entrepreneurial spirit President Biya talked of in his speech to the youth.  It may no longer require that those who get involved in farming should do so only for subsistence, but they need to think of ways to grow bigger by sourcing for large-scale production and even handing over the processes to their offspring so that many should benefit from such achievements.

Several government initiatives do exist to encourage youth who desire to grow and they simply need to seek information at the right quarters and make good use of the opportunities that exist. Those who have made it have been giving edifying testimonies to our reporters across the country who went out to have them share their experiences.