For decades , Cameroon has depended heavily on imported rice to feed it's growing population, spending hundreds of billions of francs CFA annually on foreign supplies. Today, the government is betting on different a future, one built on locally produced rice, empowered farmers and morde. Agricultural infrastructure.
On July 2, 2026, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbiarobe, chaired the Seventh steering Committee meeting of Rice Value Chain Development projects(RVCDP) bringing together government officials, development partners, and project managers to assess one of Cameroon's most ambitious agricultural programmes.
The meeting comes at a defending moment for the project. According project sources, annual production capacity has already increased from 2000 tons to about 6000 tonnes, while the medium term objective is to produce 100, 000 tonnes within the next four years, significantly reducing the country's dependence on imports.
Opening the meeting, the minister described rice a strategic commodity whose importance extends beyond agriculture and national food security and economic sovereignty.
" Rice means a staple of high economic and food security value for our country. The project is one of the vital vehicles through which we intend to reduce rice import dependency, boost local production, and improve the livelihood of our hard working farmers." He said.
He noted that the project was designed to address constraints across the rice Value Development Chain, from seed production and land development to processing, marketing and value addition.
Beyond increasing production, the programme seeks to transform rice production into a competitive agribusiness capable of supplying domestic markets, while creating employment opportunities particularly for young people and women.
Progress presented during the meeting points significantly milestones already achieved.
The project has signed strategic agreements with research institutions to supply improved foundations seeds, while 121 seed multipliers have been trained to multiply certified seeds for distribution to farmers.
Authorities are also monitoring the development of 2000 hecters of rice fields, alongside the construction of warehouses, markets, and access roads that will improve movement of farm products .
Capacity building programs have also continued across project intervention areas with recent training sessions conducted in Maga in the far North region.
"We have collectively made bold strides towards to achieving the objectives of the project." The minister said adding that " we will make certified improved seeds available to farmers across the production basins, while investments in infrastructure and farmer training are laying the foundation for sustained productivity."
Headquartered in Bamenda, the Rice Value Development Chain project, represents the largest agricultural investment currently being implemented Cameroon. Financed through a consortium led by the Islamic Development Bank alongside the OPEC Fund for lnternational Development, BADEA, the Kuwait Fund and the government of Cameroon, the project carries an estimated investment exceeding 133 billion FCFA.
it's interventions extends across the North West, West and Far North regions targeting every step of the rice Value chain.
The project plans to develop 5000 hecters of irrigated rice fields , distribute improved seeds and mechanized farming equipment, strengthen processing facilities, rehabilitate access roads, construct warehouses and social infrastructure, expand water supply systems and improve electricity access in production areas.
It's also seeks to strengthen public private partnership, facilitate access to finance for producers and young agricultural graduates entering the rice industry .
These interventions form the National Rice Development Strategy 2022-2030 through which Cameroon seeks to achieves near self sufficiency in the production of rice.
Official statistics indicate that, Cameroon continues to import large quantities of rice every year. Although the national Rice import bill declined from 264.4 billion FCFA to 200.8 billion FCFA in 2023, imported rice still dominates domestic consumption with India and Thailand supplying the overwhelming majority of the country's imports.
Current national production remains significantly below demand, leaving a structural annual deficit estimated at about 450,000 tons .
For government, reversing the trend demands accountability, effective implementation and oversight.
" Our responsibility is evaluate progress objectively, identify challenges and provide the strategic guidance needed to maximize value addition for local rice producers and consumers." Minister Mbiarobe told members of the steering committee
If implementation continues at the current pace and production targets are reached, the country could substantially reduce it's dependence on imported rice, strengthen rural economies, and move closer to agricultural self sufficiency while improving the livelihood of thousands of farming households.
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