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There has been a drastic drop in maize production in the North region partly as a result of the Boko Haram terrorism that drove farmers from their farms. The little that is remaining is now been exported to Nigeria especially when Cameroon began a gradual reopening of its borders which had been partially closed because of the Boko Haram conflict in February. How do inhabitants expect to cope with this situation?
Economist Ebenezer Ndjock of the University of Yaoundé I says Northern Cameroon’s cereal deficit is now 200,000 metric tons and that it is likely to increase if the few farmers who have returned are not encouraged by the government. He equally hammered that the country’s desires to produce 600,000 metric tons of cereals in Cameroon by 2025 may not be achieved should the problem persist. Last year, the country produced less than 300,000 metric tons of cereals while demand was more than 500,000, yet the majority was exported to Nigeria, where merchants sell at high prices. He says production may further decline because farmers who have returned to their farms lack seeds and fertilizers. He says excessive rainfall, floods and the depreciating soil quality from overuse all indicate difficult moments for Cameroon cereal production in the years ahead. He says farmers are also still scared of Boko Haram.
Last year, Cameroon blocked cereals exports, including millet and corn, to Nigeria as a food security measure after a production drop. Damian Kinkoh of the food control unit of Cameroon’s trade ministry affirmed that about 6,000 metric tons of corn, millet and rice have been intercepted while being transported to Nigeria. Kinkoh says the ministry will return the cereals when the owners commit to only sell the corn, rice and millet in Cameroon. As if that was not enough, the Governor of the Far North region, Midjiyawa Bakary added that, the government has stopped the export of cereals, especially millet and corn because Cameroon risks food shortages. He says the situation concerns Cameroon’s Northern border with Nigeria where famine looms. Despite government’s efforts to curb the situation, exports rate to Nigeria remains high.
The president of the Association of Millet farmers in Mora, Yakoubou Ousmaina asserted that they prefer to sell just in Nigeria because they will not make enough profit if they sell their millet only in Cameroon. He says villagers who provided labor in millet farms escaped and his association invested much money to bring workers from safer Northern towns and villages to work in their farms. More so, the Boko Haram crisis has scared fertilizer sellers, and the few who are remaining in northern Cameroon charge very high prices for fertilizer.
Cameroon says it is providing what it calls good quality seeds and fertilizer at reduced cost to encourage farmers to return to abandoned farms. The central African state is also assuring civilians of their safety. The military says Boko Haram attacks have been greatly reduced.
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