Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (Minepat), Alamine Ousmane Mey, on April 15, 2025, presented six tractors to four agricultural hubs (agropoles) operating in the cassava, maize, beef, and dairy sectors.
The beneficiary agropoles are located in Ntui in the Mbam-et-Kim division (Centre region), Batouri in the Kadey division (East region), Ouro-Dolé in the Faro division (North region), and Ngaoundéré in the Vina division (Adamawa region).
The tractors, valued at a total of 180 million CFA francs and each boasting a 100-horsepower rating, represent government support aimed at addressing the challenges facing agriculture in rural areas, according to Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey. The initiative seeks to enhance productivity and decrease the nation’s reliance on imports of maize, beef, and milk.
Data from the National Confederation of Cattle Breeders of Cameroon (Cnebcam) indicates that national milk production stands at 185,570 tonnes annually, significantly below the demand of approximately 300,000 tonnes, resulting in an annual deficit of around 120,000 tonnes. This supply-demand gap is partially filled by imports of dairy products.
The latest foreign trade report from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) reveals that in 2023, Cameroon imported 20,596.1 tonnes of milk and dairy products at a cost of 40.6 billion CFA francs, along with 17,217.9 tonnes of powdered or condensed milk valued at 35 billion CFA francs by industrial operators to compensate for the domestic production shortfall.
After a year-on-year decrease of 64.4% in 2022, maize imports saw a resurgence in 2023, reaching 39,991.3 tonnes at an estimated cost of 7.8 billion CFA francs, according to the INS. In the meat sector, national production experienced a 23% decline to 235,960 tonnes in 2024, as per official figures.
