IN the picturesque coastal town of Idenau in southwestern Cameroon, farmers like Ferdinand Tatah are reaping the rewards of a bountiful plantain harvest. Tatah, clad in muddied bare feet and armed with a machete, navigates his two-hectare plantain farm, part of a growing trend in the central African nation.
Tatah, a 50-year-old father of five, speaks passionately about his daily routine. “This is my life. I do this every day. I was born into plantain farming,” he declares, as he selects and cuts several giant bunches of plantains destined for Cameroon’s commercial hub, Douala.
A recent stretch of favourable weather has resulted in a bumper crop not only for Tatah but for many others in Cameroon. With a challenging economy prompting a shift to agriculture, plantain farming has become a lifeline for individuals seeking financial stability.
‘The plantain has never failed anyone. That is why I have invested much in this—my two-hectare plantain farm,’ Tatah explains to Xinhua news agency, emphasising the reliability of farming in turbulent economic times.
Cameroon’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development underscores the significance of plantains, attributing 16 percent of farmers’ income and 4.3 percent of the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) to this versatile crop. With an estimated annual output exceeding 5.4 million tonnes, plantains play a vital role in the country’s food security.
In an ambitious move, Cameroon aims to lead global plantain production by 2030, targeting an annual production of 10 million tonnes. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, affirms this goal, stating, ‘Cameroon’s desire to become an emerging country by 2035 depends on the development of production, processing, and distribution activities for our various agricultural products.’
In collaboration with the African Development Bank, Cameroon is working towards establishing the country’s first-ever plantain processing plant in Bangem, a region responsible for producing over 30 percent of the nation’s plantains. Minister Mbairobe anticipates that this plant will produce three tonnes of plantains daily.
Recently, Limbe hosted the second edition of the International Plantains Festival, providing farmers like Tatah with a unique platform to showcase their products. Samuel Tony Obam Bikoue, the head of the National Association of Actors of the Banana-Plantain Sector in Cameroon, organised the festival, emphasising the benefits for farmers.
‘With high-quality fertiliser and capacity-building on production, packaging, and transport techniques, farmers will experience high yields to meet the growing local and international demand,’ Bikoue explains.
The festival also witnessed the signing of agreements with agricultural firms, including CAMAGRI, which plans to introduce drone technology for plantain cultivation. Murat Kimick, representing CAMAGRI, highlights the efficiency of using drones in spraying insecticides, reducing labour and responding promptly to pest threats.
While the plantain industry thrives, challenges persist for farmers like Tatah. He hopes for government intervention to improve transportation infrastructure, particularly addressing the difficulties faced due to bad roads.
Acknowledging the issue, Minister Mbairobe states, ‘It’s a real problem that will be addressed as soon as possible.’ As Cameroon prioritises agricultural production in its national push for economic modernisation, there is a resolute commitment to advancing the plantain industry, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for the nation.