Far North experiences deficit in cereal production

Food insecurity threatens three departments of the region in the far North: Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga and Logone and Chari.

According to the regional delegate of Agriculture and rural development for the far North, Abakachi, the border areas shared with neighbouring Nigeria, stronghold of the Boko Haram sect is prey to insecurity thus affecting the region in recent months. This situation has had a toll on agro-pastoral production in the area. Populations have experienced significant losses due to the abandonment of cattle and fields.

It is in this context of tension that the 2014 edition of the regional agro-pastoral fair in the Extrême-Nord took place. At the fair, it came to light that more than 200 products have been affected.

Taking into account the foregoing difficulties, this meeting between farmers, pastoralists, the technical officers and economic partners focussed on ways to to address the situation.

The Governor of the region, Midjiyawa Bakari, who presided over the launch of this event, noted with great pleasure the dedication and commitment of the actors in the agro-pastoral world, indicating that "despite the climate and security hazards, they came in their numbers to participate in the fair.

For his part, the regional delegate of the Minader took the opportunity to touch on the balance sheet of the 2014 campaign.

Agriculturally, initiatives will save four departments which have a cereal deficit, either due to insecurity or insufficient rainfall. According to the statistics, a deficit of harvest was estimated at 132,000 tonnes compared to regional food needs estimated at 770,300 tonnes.

The poor production due to insecurity in the three affected departments, accounted for only 121,870 tonnes of grains, revealing a shortfall that yielded profits estimated at 30 billion.