Addressing Food Security in Cameroon

Authors

• Stacy A. Adams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Ruth Abunaw Besong, Investing in People WorldwideFollow

Document Type

Poster

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

Adams, S., Besong, R. (2025). Addressing Food Security in Cameroon. [Poster presentation]. Nebraska Extension.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship reciprocal exchange program is a diplomacy effort by the United States Department of State. Grants are provided to promote innovation and positive impact in communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Comments

Copyright 2025, Adams and Besong. Used by permission

Abstract

Cameroon Africa has experience a period of nearly a decade of unrest as militants fight for independence for two Anglophone regions within a predominantly Francophone country. The English-speaking minority have felt aggrieved for continued erosion of rights by the central government. Protests have rapidly spread since 2016, causing closure of schools, businesses, and medical facilities. People have lost homes and been displaced, negatively affecting food production and crop availability. The United States Department of State leads an effort of diplomacy beyond emergency food relief through the Mandela Washington Fellowship that connects American professionals to innovative and impactful young African leaders. Traditional farming in the Buea region of Cameroon is challenged by the civil unrest. Through a partnership of Nebraska Extension and Investing in People Worldwide, six train-the-trainer educational and engagement sessions were presented to members of ten different communities in Cameroon. Participants learned about plants, cultivation, and production in protected structures and hydroponics. Hydroponic systems were built an plants grown to apply knowledge. The Nebraska Extension specialist created asynchronous educational videos, identified locally available resources, developed a hydroponic prototype, and held virtual discussion sessions. Participants expressed positive impacts from involvement, including finding donated supplies, getting business partners, and developing food distribution cooperatives.