Crisis in maize sector: Organisation unveils robust action plan to strengthen local production.

Organised by Ecotrading Sarl, in partnership with ACDIC, the presser was under the theme: “Implementing Import Substitution in Cameroon: The Case of the Maize sector". 

It brought together representative of the Ministry of Commerce, officials of Ecotrading Sarl, the Local Development Initiatives Support Service, SAILD, maize producers, members of cooperatives and members of the civil society. 

According to organisers, the aim of the conference was to create a multi-stakeholder dialogue framework, and define coordinated measures to ensure food security, support local production, and preserve economic stability. 

Stakeholders also adopted concrete recommendations to strengthen quality control of agricultural products and promote Made in Cameroon maize. 

Speaking during the ceremony, the Technical Adviser at Ecotrading Sarl, Leopold Tueguem, revealed that the maize sector in the country has struggled to survive due to the massive influx of imported maize.  

He stressed that there was an urgent need to explore what he described as the deep causes of this decline and put in place adequate solutions to ensure that the sector thrives. He also backed plans to suspend the importation of maize to Cameroon. 

“We realised that there was a liberalisation in the importation of maize to Cameroon, which has affected local production, since imported maize was relatively lower in price than local maize,” Tueguem mentioned. 

He mentioned that: “Stakeholders explored possible solutions and established a roadmap that completes the actions already engaged by the administration, namely the decision to suspend the importation of corn”.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, NIS, maize imports have reached a record high in recent years, totaling 81,233 tons in 2024, at a cost of more than 11 billion FCFA. This was followed by a slight decline to 72,586 metric tons, at a cost of 10.2 billion FCFA. 

These massive imports, it was said, are intended to make up for the deficit in domestic production and to meet the strong demand from the agri-food industry. 

Proposes solution to boost sector 

Tueguem strongly recommended that to ensure competitiveness of the maize sector, stakeholders must make certain that the commercialisation of maize is better structured. He said producers must also adopt the mechanised method for large scale production and better yields. 

Tueguem further urged the government to wade in and provide subvention to facilitate access to inputs, seeds, and production.

It should be noted that since June 2024, Ecotrading Sarl has been implementing an agricultural project which aims to boost sustainable maize production in the Centre Cegion. 

According to Tueguem, significant progress has been made in terms of organisation and training of small-scale maize producers, but the dip in the prices has affected its full implementation. 

Producers cry for help

The President of the Board of Directors of a cooperative named PFNL Centre Coop-CA, spread across the municipalities of Endom, Ayos, Ndzeng, Minta, Ndikinimeki and Messondo, in the Centre Region, Atangana Adele, lamented over the deepening crisis in the maize sector. 

Atangana said the maize sector has witnessed a significant drop due to poor sales of products. According to her, the last two years have been marked by a sharp fall in maize prices on the local market. The situation, she added, is linked to a massive influx of imported maize sold at prices below the local production cost. 

Atangana said in 2024, they produced about 500 tonnes of maize and sold it at 225 FCFA per kilogramme. The following year, Atangana said they witnessed a drop in production with 400 tonnes but were forced to sell at 140 FCFA. The price, she added, further dropped to 75 FCFA per kilogramme. 

Atangana said farmers have their families to feed and have no choice than to sell to make ends meet. She said there is an urgent need to encourage local production of maize and pleaded with the government to listen to the plight and homologate the prices. 

Expert on solution to satisfy local demand 

The Agricultural Engineer at SAILD, Appolinaire Tetang, in his presentation titled: “How to meet the requirement for locally produced maize to replace imported maize”, assured participants that it was possible for local production to meet national demands. 

He, however, revealed that this will requires that they meet four major requirements including the ability to produce more, produce in quality, ensure consistent availability year-round and offer a competitive price. 

Tetang recommended mechanised farming methods, improved seeds and soil fertility and the respect of norms and quality. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3825 of Monday June 22, 2026