Improving food and nutritional security across Africa hinges on the adoption<\/p>\n
of productivity-enhancing technologies, including mechanization, irrigation,<\/p>\n
fertilizers, and high quality seeds. A competitive seed sector is critical for field<\/p>\n
crops, as it ensures that smallholder farmers have timely access to high-quality<\/p>\n
seeds of improved and context-appropriate varieties at affordable prices. These<\/p>\n
improved seeds provide transformative benefits, such as higher yields, resistance<\/p>\n
to pests and diseases, adaptability to climate change, reduced post-harvest<\/p>\n
losses, and enhanced nutritional value.<\/p>\n
The African Seed Access Index (TASAI) conducts national-level seed industry<\/p>\n
assessments to guide efforts by public policymakers and development agencies<\/p>\n
to foster enabling environments. These efforts aim to accelerate the development<\/p>\n
of competitive formal seed systems that serve smallholder farmers and promote<\/p>\n
agricultural transformation in Africa.<\/p>\n
This report presents the key findings of Cameroon\u2019s inaugural seed industry<\/p>\n
assessment, conducted in 2024-2025. TASAI studies collect information on four<\/p>\n
grain and legume crops, known as \u201cfocus crops,\u201d that are essential to the country\u2019s<\/p>\n
food and nutritional security and\/or which the government has designated as<\/p>\n
priority crops. In Cameroon, the four crops are maize, rice, sorghum, and soya<\/p>\n
bean. According to the latest data in 2022 (FAOSTAT, 2024), they accounted for<\/p>\n
78% of the area harvested for cereals and legumes. Of this, maize and sorghum<\/p>\n
accounted for 45% and 26% of the harvested area, respectively, while rice and soya<\/p>\n
bean together accounted for 7%. Although rice and soya bean are currently grown<\/p>\n
on a relatively small area, they were included in the study because Cameroon\u2019s<\/p>\n
National Development Strategy 2030 (NDS 2030) has prioritized them as a staple<\/p>\n
food and raw material for agro-industry (Minist\u00e8re de l\u2019\u00c9conomie, de la Planification<\/p>\n
et de l\u2019Am\u00e9nagement du Territoire (MINEPAT) 2020). Additionally, maize and rice<\/p>\n
are identified as strategic crops for both domestic consumption and export.<\/p>\n
Under the NDS 2030, the government seeks to boost agricultural productivity for<\/p>\n
the four crops, in line with its broader goals of increasing food security, economic<\/p>\n
diversification and fostering import substitution. By focusing on the four crops,<\/p>\n
this study provides actionable insights and recommendations to strengthen<\/p>\n
Cameroon\u2019s formal seed system, in turn enhancing farmers\u2019 access to seed of<\/p>\n
improved varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n