Animal Ranching and Fishing
Cameroon is the Central African country with the most dynamic livestock sector. Poultry farming is practiced in all regions of the country in a traditional and semi-industrial way. Local production of eggs and chickens covers the needs of the local population and is sometimes exported to other countries in the sub-region. In addition, in recent years, agropoles for the production and processing of eggs and chickens (mayonnaise and poultry sausages) have been created.
In 2019, breeding activities are still on an uptrend with a growth rate of 5.5% after 4.4% in 2018. This change is fostered by the production of animals on the hoof, including cattle, pigs, and poultry. However, meat production is declining for most species, due to the strike of truck carriers which plagued the North-South corridor, leading to a shortage of animals on the hoof in the markets of major centres of consumption.
The cattle herd in 2019 was 9.506.103 head, an increase of 8.5% compared to 2018. As for pig stocks, there are 3.848.437 head, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2018. Sheep stocks in that same year increased by 3% compared to 2018 to reach 3.604.931 animals and that of goats increased by 1% to stand at 6.571.397 head. Sheep meat production is 18.197 tons, an 18.7% increase. On the other hand, the production of goat meat is 1.4% down, to 25.081 tons. The number of poultry is 2% up in 2019 and stands at 85.579.493 head.
This growth is due, on one hand, to the reduction of outbreaks of avian diseases and, on the other hand, to the purchase of incubators and cages used for transporting the poultry for women and young poultry farmers. Government policy in the sector is to promote and facilitate the inclusion of nationals in the activity.
Still, in 2019, fish production was 335.158 tons, against 3903.519 tons in 2018, a decrease of 14.2%. this decline is due, among other things: to the strict respect of biological rest which extends from June to September; to the reduction of fishing grounds and the number of fishermen, due to the security crisis in the Southwest. Fishery productions are dominated by artisanal maritime fishery products, which account for 79% of total production. Aquaculture production increased from 5 213.9 tons in 2018 to 9 078.2 tons in 2019, an increase of 74%. This evolution was made possible, among others, by the actions carried out by the government, in particular: extension to a large scale of innovative aquaculture techniques for the production of floating cages and bins; support with inputs and equipment for the private aquafarming medium and large-scale promoters; awareness of private sector on aquaculture opportunities.