Cameroon’s drive to expand local dairy and livestock value chains takes a leap forward
Cameroon’s government has unveiled new dairy processing and livestock equipment for producers in the North Region as part of efforts to reduce import dependence, strengthen local milk production and expand agro-industrial value chains in Benoue and Garoua.
The equipment was presented recently to members of a government mission during a visit to the Livestock Development Fund for the North, known by its French acronym CDEN, under the Integrated Agro-Pastoral Import-Substitution Plan, PIISAH. The initiative forms part of a broader policy led by the state to modernise the dairy sector, improve animal health services and increase local processing capacity.
The newly delivered material includes vaccination equipment, milk containers, milking machines, cold storage accumulators, coolers and transport motorcycles for extension workers. Authorities said the programme also covers vaccination materials and vaccines aimed at protecting dairy cattle from foot-and-mouth disease.
Officials stated that the investment is designed to support mechanisation in the dairy industry while improving collection, storage and transportation of milk from production areas to processing centres. The equipment will also be used for milk transformation activities, including automated milking systems and yoghurt production units.
Speaking during the presentation, Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries Dr Taiga said the programme was intended to reinforce the dairy value chain and support livestock producers operating in northern Cameroon. He said part of the project would focus on symbolic vaccination campaigns for dairy cattle while also introducing improved processing systems for milk and yoghurt production.
“The material is essentially intended for the mechanisation of the dairy sector. We are introducing equipment that will support vaccination, milk collection and processing activities while improving production conditions for livestock farmers,” Dr Taiga said.
CDEN Director Hamidou Saidou said additional investments were planned under agreements signed with the Ministry of Livestock to expand production and transport infrastructure for milk across the region.
According to him, the programme includes plans to acquire about 693 milk cans, 10 yoghurt production units, 22 silos and 42 milk transport trailers. Authorities also announced the development of hundreds of hectares of forage fields to improve feed supply for dairy production.
“We have signed agreements to support breeders in the acquisition of production and milk transport equipment. The objective is to improve both the quality and volume of dairy production in the region,” Saidou said.
Alongside the dairy investment, government officials visited facilities linked to the Viva-Benoue project, which aims to transform the Benoue Valley through hydro-agricultural infrastructure, food production and industrial processing activities. Project coordinator Mahamat Habibou said the programme was designed to address food security challenges while creating employment and supporting private-sector investment in agricultural transformation.
He stated that the project seeks to connect production with commercialisation through integrated value chains covering cultivation, processing and distribution activities.
“The project is helping to create conditions for agricultural transformation through infrastructure development and private-sector participation. We want to support production, processing and market access while generating employment opportunities,” Habibou said.
Officials disclosed that around 7,000 hectares are currently being developed under the Viva-Benoue programme, with about 30% of the planned infrastructure already completed.
The government delegation also inspected processing facilities including a yoghurt production unit, sugar packaging operations and storage infrastructure. Authorities said new infrastructure projects under consideration include liquid nitrogen production systems for seed protection and fodder conservation warehouses.
Project managers however identified logistics and energy supply as key operational challenges affecting agricultural evacuation and industrial production in the area. They said improved road infrastructure and expanded electricity supply would be necessary to sustain industrial-scale agricultural transformation in northern Cameroon.
