Cameroon misses its milk production target of 200,000 tonnes by 2023
In 2023, Cameroon faced a significant challenge in its agricultural sector: the nation missed its ambitious milk production target of 200,000 tonnes. This shortfall highlights the complexities and difficulties of increasing agricultural output in a sustainable and economically viable manner. Despite the setback, the Cameroonian government and various stakeholders have not wavered in their commitment to transforming the dairy sector.
The Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries (Minepia) unveiled a comprehensive CFA305.7 billion plan to boost milk production over 11 years, aiming to increase output from less than 200,000 tons to 1,146,600 tons by 2035. This strategic plan, developed in collaboration with the Cameroon Veterinary Offices and Pharmacies Society (Caphavet) and funded by German cooperation (GIZ), is structured around six key programs: genetics, feed, housing, health and welfare, milk processing, research and development, and governance.
The need for such a plan is underscored by the data from 2022, which showed that Cameroon’s milk production was 173,000 tons, with the National Confederation of Cattle Breeders of Cameroon (Cnebcam) estimating the national supply at 185,570 tons per year. This is significantly lower than the national demand of around 300,000 tons, leading to an annual deficit of nearly 120,000 tons. To address this, the country has had to rely on imports, with the National Institute of Statistics (INS) reporting that in 2023, 20,596.1 tons of milk and derivatives were imported for CFA40.6 billion, and 17,217.9 tons of powdered or concentrated milk for CFA35 billion.
The government’s response to this challenge has been multifaceted. Between 2020 and 2023, Cameroon acquired 495 dairy cows from France as part of the Livestock Development Project (Prodel), funded by the World Bank with CFA78.4 billion over six years. These cows are of the Montbeliarde breed, known for their adaptability to harsh conditions, which is crucial for the success of dairy farming in Cameroon’s diverse climates.
The plan’s focus on genetics and feed reflects an understanding that improving the quality of livestock and their nutrition is fundamental to increasing milk yield. Similarly, investments in housing, health, and welfare aim to create environments where cows can thrive and produce optimally. The emphasis on milk processing and research and development indicates a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that the sector can innovate and adapt to future challenges.
Governance is perhaps the most critical aspect of the plan, as it involves coordination among all stakeholders in the dairy sector, including the government, breeders, processors, collectors, distributors, and consumers. This holistic approach is essential for creating a resilient and sustainable dairy industry.
Cameroon’s efforts to boost milk production are not just about meeting numerical targets; they are about building a self-sufficient, robust agricultural sector that can support the nation’s economy and provide for its people. The journey towards this goal will undoubtedly be challenging, but with continued dedication and strategic planning, Cameroon can transform its dairy industry and achieve its long-term objectives. For more insights and updates on Cameroon’s agricultural progress, stay tuned to AgriFocus Africa.
According to updated data from the Cameroonian Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (Minepia), the country has not reached the target of 200,450 tonnes of milk targeted in 2023 according to the National Development Strategy (SND 30) on an estimated demand of 787,000 tonnes by 2030. Indeed, Cameroon produced 176,618 tonnes, i.e. an achievement rate of 88% for a shortfall of 23,832 tonnes of milk during the period under review. This puts pressure on the Cameroonian public authorities whose ambition is nevertheless to ensure food self-sufficiency to conquer the markets of the sub-regions of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
For Minepia, “the failure to achieve the objectives for this period could be explained by the various shocks, namely the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2022 and the increase in the price of fuel in February 2023”, justifies the report on the situation of production and imports in the livestock, fisheries and animal industries sub-sector consulted by EcoMatin.
Import dependence until 2030
The Integrated Plan for Agro-Pastoral and Fisheries Import-Substitution (Piisah) 2024-2026, which is supposed to come into effect this year, is not expected to reduce massive imports in the short or medium term. The document designed by the Ministry of Economy instead provides for the end of external dependence in 2035. To do this, “Cameroon will have to increase its production by 10% per year and import an average of 239,000 tonnes,” we read.
To achieve this objective, it is undeniable according to Piisah, to take up a certain number of challenges. These are for the most urgent: the acquisition of conservation and storage infrastructures and the acquisition of infrastructures (cold chain, stables, etc.); the structuring of the sector in independent interprofession; the opening up of production basins; training and capacity building for the mastery of the processes of collection, conservation, transport and transformation of milk. All this should lead to a national milk production of 471,675 tonnes in 2035.
Timid evolution
While waiting for this government plan to come to fruition, the country is resorting to imports to fill the deficit. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS); the government statistician, 17,217.9 tonnes of milk (-2.3%) in powder or concentrate form were imported in 2023, worth 35 billion CFA francs. This slight decline in milk production is undoubtedly linked to an increase of 3,010 tonnes (+2%) in production in 2023 compared to the 173,608 tonnes recorded in 2022.
The government attributes this improvement to a “strong participation of the private sector” and the importation of “highly productive” dairy cows. It should be noted, however, that this development seems timid for the moment given that the country has welcomed 2020; 495 pregnant heifers of the Montbéliarde breed from France, including 165 in January 2023 with an estimated milk production of 40 litres per day. This measure is part of the livestock development project (Prodel) financed to the tune of 134.1 million dollars (approximately 78.4 billion CFA francs) over 6 years.
