Cameroon aims for rice self-sufficiencyCEFR A2
24 Mar 2026
Adapted from Laura, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Ariel Nathan ADA MBITA, Unsplash
Rice is a staple food in Cameroon, which has a population of over 30 million. In 2023, rice consumption was about 25 kilograms per person and national demand was more than 600,000 tons per year.
The government launched a rice self-sufficiency strategy in May 2023 with a budget of FCFA 385 billion (USD 677 million). The plan aims to raise national rice production and reduce imports.
Farmers in the northwest say the policy changed how they plan crops. Some incomes have improved slightly, but farmers still face problems such as bad roads, low paddy prices, limited certified seeds and poor storage.
Difficult words
- staple — A basic food people eat often.
- consumption — The amount of something people use.
- demand — The amount people want or need.
- self-sufficiency strategy — A plan to produce what a country needs.
- imports — Goods bought from other countries.
- paddy — Unmilled rice still in the field.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think the government plan can help farmers increase income? Why or why not?
- Which problem in the text would you solve first for farmers, and how?
- Have you seen problems like bad roads or poor storage where you live? Describe one.
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