BY YAOUNDE – CAMEROON 3-5 NOVEMBER 2013 ALANGEH ROMANUS CHE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT OF CNOP-CAM E-MAIL: cnopcameroun@yahoo.fr E-mail: alabongalazebong@yahoo.com

1. A PRESENTATION ON THE THEME « ENVISIONING
THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE AND
THE NEW ROLE OF FARMERS’
ORGANISATIONS » ON THE OCCASION OF THE
AFRICAN CONTINENTAL BRIEFING
YAOUNDE – CAMEROON 3-5 NOVEMBER 2013
BY
ALANGEH ROMANUS CHE
1ST VICE PRESIDENT OF CNOP-CAM
E-MAIL: cnopcameroun@yahoo.fr
E-mail: alabongalazebong@yahoo.com

2. PRESENTATION PLAN
1.
INTRODUCTION OF CNOP-CAM
2. GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
3. THE POSITION OF AGRICULTURE IN THE CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC LIVE PATTERNS OF AFRICANS,
4. A REVIEW OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE,
5. THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE,
6. KEY ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED ON ROAD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR
AFRICAN AGRICULTURE,
7. THE ROLE OF FARMERS’ ORGANISATIONS,
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
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3. INTRODUCTION OF CNOP-CAM
When the International Community and the
African continent started witnessing that there
was an increasing need to involve Non State
Actors in development initiatives, Cameroon was
not left out. Rather, the government manifested
the political will and went beyond by creating an
enabling environment through the institution of
laws governing the formation and functioning of
Common Initiative Groups, Cooperatives,
Associations and Non Governmental
Organisations (NGOs).

4. INTRODUCTION CONT
.
This motivated the emergence of most structures that
have contributed a lot in shaping the socio-economic
architecture of communities and life patterns of farmers
and rural dwellers in Cameroon today.
It was within this framework that the National
Consultation Forum of Farmers’ Organisations of
Cameroon known by its French acronym as CNOP-CAM
came into being.

5. INTRODUCTION CONT.
Created in 1998 and officially registered in the year
2000 after a long process that began way back in 1986
and ended with the “Ebolowa Call” by Farmer Leaders
in 1998, CNOP-CAM is a national platform for
representation and expression by the representatives
of Farmers’ Organisations (FO) at national level. It is
a non profit making and apolitical organisation
formed, owned and controlled by apex Farmers’
Organisations (FO) of producers with agro-sylvopastoral background including rural craft men and
women, special women and youth organisations that
are in search of adaptable solutions to their practical
and strategic gender needs.

6. INTRODUCTION CONT
.
As a proximity partner of the Government of Cameroon in
the agricultural and rural development sectors, CNOPCAM has its registered Head Office in Yaoundé –
Cameroon and Regional Coordination Offices across the
country charged with liaising between the Head Office
and the grassroots members in their local communities.
To ensure the associative life of CNOP-CAM, the Regional
Branches meet annually in Regional General Assemblies
during which they elaborate Regional Action Plans and
corresponding Budgets. In a related issue, the proposed
actions for the year are identified and forwarded to the
Head Office ahead of the Annual General Meeting of the
organisation which is the supreme organ that is charged
with strategic orientation and validation.

7. INTRODUCTION CONT
.
With a Corporate membership of 66 member
organisations of the 3rd and 4th categories and
individual membership of over 410,000, CNOP-CAM
upon creation has as mandate to: Bring together, small holder farmers in Cameroon
under a national platform of solidarity and dialogue
where their felt needs will be identified and
prioritized, the harmonization of intervention
strategies geared towards addressing the prioritized
needs,
Reinforce farmers/producers organizational,
institutional, technical, managerial and economic
capacities,

8. INTRODUCTION CONT
.
Be involved and participate in policy decision circles and
in the elaboration of programs and projects concerning
the development of the agricultural sector and the rural
world.
Facilitate national, sub regional, regional and
international integration of farmers and farmers’
organizations,
Improve on the status of farmers, their managerial and
technical know-how,
Promote entrepreneurship amongst farmers, women,
youths and the minority groups,
Promote the development of Socio-Economic
Development Tools,
Contribute to the sustainable management of natural
resources and environmental protection.

9. GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS OF CNOP-CAM
CCC
CNOP-CAM
PROPAC

10. THE POSITION OF AGRICULTURE IN THE CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC LIVE PATTERNS OF AFRICANS
- Africa is one of the World’s continents with abundant
natural resources including high potentials for agricultural
production and practices,
- Over 75% of the population of Africa depends on
agriculture for livelihood,
- Agricultural produce (crops, livestock, forest products) are
used for household consumption, performing traditional
rites, celebrations, income generation, protein source,
means of transportation, fuel, construction amongst
others.
- Agriculture is pivotal in addressing food and nutrition
insecurity on the continent and above all, in stimulating
economic growth as viewed by the African Union (AU)
and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
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11. A REVIEW OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
 POST COLONIAL PERIOD: Amongst the legacies left by the Colonial Masters
were technologies transferred in the agricultural sector whose quality was a blend
of indigenous knowledge and scientific wisdom, Research institutions and
research tools, the introduction of inputs like seeds varieties and breeds of
livestock and most importantly, the cultivation of the culture of investing in the
agricultural sector in our National Governments. This momentum witnessed a
steady increase in annual budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector between
15% to 25% and above in some countries. The support areas to farmers as key
practitioners to the agric sector included inputs supplies and technical support
that also promoted the formation of cooperatives until the introduction of the
Structural Adjustment Program.
 STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT ERA: This could be described as a pre-mature
weaning of a baby from breast milk. Total disengagement of National
Governments from the Agricultural Sector; a situation where the father of a new
born baby gets up in the morning and request the mother of the baby to stop
breastfeeding the baby and develops mechanisms to ensures that she stops giving
breast milk to the baby from that same morning without having taken some time
to prepare the mind set of the baby or better still, introducing the baby to other
food supplements. In a Strategic-Thinking-Setting, an enabling environment
would have been created to ensure a progressive take over of support to the
agricultural sector by the Private Sector that was also expected to be backed by
the preparation of a Weaning Plan that has to be scrupulously followed.
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Unfortunately, this was far from the ground reality.

12. A REVIEW OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE CONT.
 THE CURRENT SCENARIO: It is worth mentioning here that during the SAP era that lasted
over 25 years or so, Agriculture did not feature as a priority on the development agenda of the
international donor community, leading to a steady decrease in food production and in the
income levels of farmers making it difficult if not impossible for nursing mothers and babies in
their first 1000 days to be well nourished. After learning from what did not go so well with the
conception and the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Program, the International
Scientific Community, the International Donor Community, the Civil Society Community, the
Farmers’ Organizations Constituency and National Governments started reviewing and
thinking locally and globally in a more strategic manner. This has introduced so many
initiatives from National Governments, Regional Economic Communities and at Continental
levels like Micro Projects, National Agricultural Investment Plans, Regional Agricultural and
Food and Nutrition Security Investment Plans, Special Programs, Special Funds with emphasis
on gender sensitivity, Specialized Frame Works like the Africa Union/NEPAD Comprehensive
Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) to mention but a few. Some examples in
Cameroon include PACA and ACEFA.
 While National Governments, the Regional Economic Communities and the African Union are
manifesting high political commitments in addressing the deficits registered in the past,
farmers who are key practitioners in the agricultural sector are organizing themselves in a
more professional manner and developing socio-economic development tools in a bid to
complements the efforts of their national governments. The current architecture on the
continent presents farmers organized in National Platforms like CNOP-CAM in Cameroon,
Regional Platforms like PROPAC and in a Continental Platform like PAFO.

13. A REVIEW OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE CONT.
THE QUEST FOR A SOLUTION TO FOOD INSECURITY
 Without the intention to challenge scientific wisdom, there is no doubt that even though with
abundant natural resources and potentials for increased food production, Africa has become a net
food importer with a reasonable percentage of its population living in abject poverty and misery and
so we need significant increased in food production to meet the practical and emerging population
challenges . This has motivated the Scientific Community to craft solutions. But I must say that
addressing the practical aspect of a problem without thinking of the strategic dimension will not
sound well into our eardrums. In another words, excellence void of flavor and cultural values; food
security without a blend or touch of sovereignty largely leads to nutritional deficiency.
 THE CONCEPT OF INCLUSIVENESS: Recently, there has been an increasing need for the
employment of broad and inclusive approaches in development drives at all levels. A lot of
awareness seems to have been raised on this and it seems as if there is consensus on the need of
bringing all key stakeholders on board but so far, it is being done reluctantly both at national,
regional and at continental levels. However, we must admit the fact that these changes are being
effected though the pace is too slow. Some examples, in Cameroon, CNOP-CAM has been
participating in policy decision circles, included in the Pilot Committees of some national projects
like the CAADP Country Team represented by the President of CNOP-CAM in the person of Mrs.
Atangana Elizabeth, Project for Amelioration of Competitive Agriculture (PACA) represented by the
1st Vice President - the speaker. At the level of the Economic Community of Central African States
(ECCAS), Farmers’ Organizations and Non State Actors have participated in the elaboration of the
first ever Common Agricultural Policy for the Regional Economic Community and also the
elaboration and validation of a Regional COMPACT and a Regional Agricultural and Food and
Nutrition Security Investment Plan represented by Mrs. Atangana Elizabeth – President of PROPAC
and Chief Forngueh Alangeh Romanus Che. Finally, at the Continental level being that of the
African Union and NEPAD, Farmers’ Organisations and other Non State Actors are involved in the
implementation of CAADP with the Continental Chairman of the CAADP NSA being myself Chief
Forngueh A.R.C.

14. THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
 The CAADP Framework through the Maputo 2003 declaration by the
Political Principals of the African continent committing themselves
and their various countries to stimulate economic growth through
agricultural transformation in itself is a road map to a bright future for
African Agriculture.
 The African Union Land Policy Initiative (LPI)is an effort to facilitate
access to land to the African agrarian community,
 The hard working agrarian community and the availability of natural
resources favoring the production of agricultural produce,
 The increasing interest being manifested by the international donor
community, CSO, the Private Sector and the Farmers’ Organizations
Constituency declares the feasibility for the readiness and join efforts
in achieving food and nutrition security in a decade at the latest from
my estimation. For this to happen, there are some key issues that
must be addressed.

15. KEY ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED ON ROAD TO
A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
 THE POLITICAL LAND SCAPE AND THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK: The principal
dynamics is centered around the policy and institutional arrangements. Good policy orientation and
the setting up of viable institutions will indisputably pave the way for success. In a similar issue, the
practice of developing accountability frameworks and making sure that commitments taken are
respected will call for the celebration of successes. 10 years way back after taking the commitment of
10% annual budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector, the score board still brandishes a negative
picture with less than 15 countries being able to make it.
 ACCESS TO LAND AND OTHER RESOURCES: Land is pivotal as far as human settlement and
agricultural investment is concerned, and so it will not sound proper for us to talk about agriculture
without putting land and land related issues high on our agenda. Introducing the concept of
Foreign Direct Investment or Large Scale Land Base Investment in the transformation of our
economies which is a global phenomenon today demands that we need to go beyond the traditional
thinking pattern of “Sustainable Land Use” by building strategic partnerships that can develop
pragmatic solutions to both the practical and strategic gender needs confronting land users
particularly farmers and rural dwellers in Africa today. So far, the economy in our rural world is
controlled by the farmers and all farmers depends on land as their principal capital in their activities
in the rural world, and so not having access to this capital and other resources to boast production
impacts negatively on them. Corporate take over of the agricultural sector means taking over
control of the rural world and taking over control of the rural world is equal to an “Advanced Form
of Slavery” being introduced on farmers and other rural dwellers.
 .TECHNOLOGY PATTERN: The technology pattern employed in the past has to be reviewed and
embrace a system of a blend of indigenous knowledge and results from the scientific community.
 INCLUSIVENESS: A broad-based and inclusive approach should be adopted in all our development
initiatives not only doing that when found mandatory.

16. THE ROLE OF FARMERS’ ORGANISATIONS
Traditionally, the role of Farmers is to produce and the
role of Farmers’ Organizations being to organize the
farmers, organize group marketing and do facts findings
on where to get financial and technical support, inputs
and find markets for the produce.
Today, FO have to go beyond by being involved in
Advocacy, Representation, Defending farmers’ interests,
Adding Value in produce through processing, partaking in
policy decision circles, involved in inputs supplies.
Initiate and develop socio-economic development tools,
Identify and elaborate projects for the economic
empowerment of farmers and the strengthening of their
institutions,
Participate in the development of farmers capacities.

17. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Currently food security is being ensured by those practicing family farming and so, there
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is need for increase investment in family farming systems,
The African Union Land Policy Initiative as a framework should be implemented in a
bid to facilitate access to land for smallholder farmers,
Access to inputs and risk management schemes should be facilitated,
Innovative finance mechanisms for family farming should be developed,
Food sovereignty should be domesticated,
Research initiatives should be evidence based and farmers placed at the centre,
Farmers’ Organizations be strengthened to better deliver. Example: Line Ministry (ies)
should introduce a budgetary line annually for FOs,
Training packages in Colleges, professional schools and Vocational Training Centers be
well crafted to be demand driven,
More advocacy on our national governments to respect the commitments of at least 10%
annual budgetary allocation to attend a 6% annual agricultural growth rate,
Parliamentarians to be strengthened to always take informed decisions,
Comprehensive regulatory framework be developed at national level with special
provisions creating access to land for women, youths and other gender disadvantage
groups,
A win-win-deal should be promoted between Agribusiness and Family farming
practitioners.

18. Je vous remercie
THANK YOU
Obrigado
Gracias
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