SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad SIT Digital Collections Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection SIT Study Abroad Spring 2016 The uturF e of Agriculture in Cameroon in the Age of Agricultural Biotechnology Audrey Ball SIT Graduate Institute - Study Abroad Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection Part of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, and the Growth and Development Commons Recommended Citation Ball, Audrey, "The uturF e of Agriculture in Cameroon in the Age of Agricultural Biotechnology" (2016). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 2287. https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/2287 This Unpublished Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the SIT Study Abroad at SIT Digital Collections. It has been accepted for inclusion in Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection by an authorized administrator of SIT Digital Collections. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Future of Agriculture in Cameroon in the Age of Agricultural Biotechnology A Report on Obstacles and Proposed Futures from Agricultural Stakeholders Audrey Ball Academic Director: Christiane Magnido Academic Supervisor: Yvonne Takang Yaoundé, Cameroon Cameroon: Development and Social Change, SIT Study Abroad Spring 2016 ISP Key words: Agriculture, Development Washington University in St. Louis Economics and International Development Studies 2 Abstract The President of the Republic declares that the development of Cameroon depends on agriculture, the economic sector which currently generates 23% of gross domestic product and employs 62% of the population. Today, national strategy to bring about agricultural progress includes the experimentation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which Cameroon intends to commercialize in 2019. This paper examines the obstacles impeding agriculture today, while uncovering the current stage of experimentation and debate around GMOs. The study also evaluates the inclusion of stakeholders in the debate around the future of agriculture. Research was conducted through interviews of government officials, civil society organizations, academics, farmers, private enterprises and consumers. The study finds that the primary obstacles to agriculture are lack of financing, inadequate factors of production, and poor governance. Objections to GMO technology include risk to human health, loss of sovereignty in farming, and reduction in crop quality. The government refutes the concerns of the opposition and justifies GMO technology by the need for increased crop production in order to ensure food security. Finally, the study demonstrates that while certain stakeholders are consulted, the government alone decides the future of GMOs and agriculture in Cameroon. Résumé Le Président de la République déclare que le développement du Cameroun dépend de l’agriculture, le secteur économique qui produit 23% du produit intérieur brut et emploie 62% de la population. Aujourd’hui, la stratégie nationale pour mener le progrès agricole inclut l’expérimentation des organismes génétiquement modifiés (OGM) que le Cameroun pense commercialiser en 2019. Cet article examine les obstacles qui entravent l’agriculture aujourd’hui et rapporte la phase actuelle de l’expérimentation et du débat autour des OGM. L’étude évalue aussi l’inclusion des parties intéressées dans le débat sur le futur de l’agriculture. La recherche s’est déroulée par les interviews des fonctionnaires de l’Etat, des organisations de la société civile, des universitaires, des agriculteurs, des entreprises privées et des consommateurs. L’étude trouve que les obstacles primaires pour l’agriculture sont le manque du financement, l’insuffisance des facteurs de production et la mauvaise gouvernance. Les objections aux OGM incluent le risque de maladie, la perte de la souveraineté agricole et la réduction de qualité des produits. Le gouvernement réfute les soucis de l’opposition et justifie la technologie OGM par la besoin de la production augmentée pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire. Finalement, l’étude démontre que les décisions quant à la commercialisation des OGM et le futur de l’agriculture seront prises par le gouvernement. 3 Acknowledgements To Christiane: Thank you for creating, through tireless work and passion, a program that so fully opened up the world, Cameroon, and new ways of thinking to me. Thank you for the catalyst that will never allow me to think the same way and for illuminating a global system in which every culture and people has an indispensable gift to contribute. Only this semester have I understood the magnitude of wealth that an education can give. To the SIT Staff: Thank you to Nathalie and Serge, whose priority is always the students. Thank you for the opportunities to go on remarkable trips and for connecting me with families that have touched my life permanently. Thank you for making my stay in Cameroon always safe, comfortable, and unforgettable. To Yvonne Takang: Thank you for inspiring me to take on the subject of this report. It was the passion and determination with which you fight for small farmers, Cameroonians, and the sovereignty of Africa that moved and motivated me. Thank you for your indispensable guidance and support throughout the research process. To Nicole: Thank you to my host mom who supported me during the research process. Thank you for opening up your home to me with little notice and providing a haven for doing work and having personal time. I appreciate all the support and care you have shown me. To my parents: Thank you for the endless support and the encouragement to follow my heart. Thank you for making my life-changing Cameroon experience possible and for your steadfast love and support when I faced challenges. I am so grateful to you both. 4 Contents I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5 I.i. The Importance of Agriculture in Africa ............................................................................................... 5 I.ii. The Agriculture Sector in Cameroon ................................................................................................... 6 I.iii. Genetically Modified Organisms ........................................................................................................ 8 I.iv. Research Questions and Hypotheses ............................................................................................... 10 I.v. Definition of Key Terms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................... 11 II. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 12 II.i. Site Selection and Research Process ................................................................................................. 12 II.ii. Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................................................... 16 II.iii. Strengths and Limitations ............................................................................................................... 16 III. Analysis of Research Question One: Challenges to Cameroonian Agriculture ...................................... 17 III.i. Agricultural Financing and Sale of Products .................................................................................... 17 III.ii. Factors of Production ...................................................................................................................... 19 III.iii. The State Problem .......................................................................................................................... 22 IV. Analysis of Research Question Two: The Debate around GMOs ........................................................... 25 IV.i. The Current Phase of GMOs ............................................................................................................ 25 IV.ii. Opposition to GMOs ....................................................................................................................... 26 IV.ii. Support for GMOs ........................................................................................................................... 28 IV.iii. Dissonances in the Discussion around GMOs ................................................................................ 30 IV.iv. Approval and Commercialization Process...................................................................................... 32 V. Analysis of Research Question Three: Proposed Futures for Agriculture .............................................. 33 V.i. Futures Proposed by Farmers ........................................................................................................... 33 V.ii. Government Priorities ..................................................................................................................... 35 VI. Analysis of Research Question Four: The Imbalance of Stakeholder Participation ............................... 37 V. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 39 V.i. Analysis of Research Questions and Hypotheses ............................................................................. 39 V.ii. Limitations of the Study