Table of Contents
The Context
The food system is closely linked to agriculture, food security, climate change, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and water and wetland resources. Rural areas in developing economies are particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis, with an increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. The Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon are no exception to these climatic challenges, as 80% of the population lives in rural areas and relies on rain-fed subsistence agriculture. Any changes in the timing and duration of the rainy season pose significant threats to the food system, as residents primarily consume what they produce on their fragmented farm plots. This undermines efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2.
Although the community is aware of climatic changes and is employing indigenous strategies to combat the climate crisis (as outlined in SDG 13), there is an urgent need to raise awareness about building resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stressors. This awareness is crucial for transforming the broken food system by 2030.
Rationale
The relationship between nature and food systems is symbiotic. How we treat nature directly affects the transformation of broken food systems worldwide. The debate centers on how to enhance global food security while simultaneously preserving the integrity and intrinsic value of ecosystems. Building resilience to climate and environmental shocks is the only sustainable path to transforming broken food chains by 2030. We must urgently incorporate both indigenous and innovative solutions to effect this change across the globe.
The Bamenda Highlands is a major food-producing hub that has suffered significantly due to the socio-political crisis since 2016. This crisis has led to a massive rural exodus of youth whose primary livelihood has been agriculture. Consequently, agricultural activity has diminished because of a declining labor force, exerting pressure on natural resources (land and water) and limiting production. Many of these young people have become unemployed or underemployed in agriculture and related sectors. As a result, they often resort to unsustainable production methods or risky survival strategies, further exacerbating broken food systems.
This focus on the Bamenda Highlands is strategically positioned to bring together youth from the region, who represent the main labor force in agriculture. It aims to rekindle their passion for the sector and foster synergy and networking with other young people both locally and globally, focusing on transforming broken food chains through resilience. This forum presents a valuable opportunity to integrate agriculture and peace in the region.
In light of these challenges, this write-up seeks to engage all stakeholders—youths, women, administrative and traditional authorities, religious leaders, and organizations involved in agriculture and related fields. The goal is to propose resilient solutions that
can help redefine and transform the broken food systems in Cameroon and beyond. These efforts will contribute significantly to achieving Agenda 2030.
Author: Suiven John Paul Tume (PhD),
Department of Geography and Planning, The University of Bamenda, Cameroon
One Response
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