- In a first agreement of its kind, Cameroon's local authorities have agreed to join forces and play a more active role in combating food insecurity in the country. In particular the flow of agricultural products was to be improved, thus paving the way for lower prices on basic food staples.
In the so-called Douala Declaration, Cameroon's local authorities last week stated their determination to play a more active role in enhancing the food security of their local populations and improving the efficiency of food supply and distribution activities by private sector operators.
The Cameroonian declaration was celebrated as a "landmark" decision by the UN's food agency, FAO, which had facilitated its signing. Cameroon's provinces "play an important role in initiating and executing food security strategies and programmes," said Olivio Argenti, an FAO expert on urban food marketing working on local approaches to food security.
- They can create better conditions for the everyday operation of formal and informal supply and distribution activities, Mr Argenti added. "For example, by eliminating the obstacles faced by the transporters and the merchants, local authorities can facilitate the flow of agricultural products and drastically reduce marketing costs," the FAO specialist explained.
Among other things, the agreement between Cameroon's central government and its provinces emphasised that creation of work opportunities - particularly for young people in rural areas - was needed to fight poverty, improve food security and slow the rural exodus.
It also emphasised the need to strengthen hygiene at food production, storage and processing sites, as well as commercial spaces, to assure food safety. An improvement of the Cameroonian food sector's hygiene standards could also facilitate the growth of a commercial food production sector aiming at exports from this fertile land.
Cameroon, which spans from the southern rain forest climate to the northern dry Sahel, is not among the most drought and famine affected countries of the region. The northern provinces, however, from time to time experience food insecurity due to poor rains or locust infestations. Central and southern parts can be affected by floods and pests.
FAO holds that these problems can be best addressed by local authorities. Direct involvement of local authorities in food security matters at local level had been the aim of a number of initiatives by FAO in developing countries in recent years, the UN agency revealed.
FAO said it had initiated the Douala agreement following ten years spent promoting this issue globally and locally. "If funding permits similar initiatives in other countries will follow," the UN agency announced.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español