IITA empowers smallholder farmers through farmer field school days in Cameroon – CGIAR

Report on Agricultural Innovation in Cameroon: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Farmer Field Days

Introduction: Addressing Agricultural Challenges in Cameroon

The agricultural sector in Cameroon, while central to rural livelihoods, faces significant challenges that impede progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The prevalent use of rudimentary farming methods and non-certified planting materials among smallholder farmers directly contributes to low yields, exacerbating issues of food insecurity and malnutrition. This situation presents a critical barrier to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Initiative Overview: A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Farming

In response to these challenges, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)–CGIAR, in partnership with Cameroon’s Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI), has launched the Farmer Field Days program. This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by uniting research institutions and government bodies to achieve a common objective. The program serves as a practical learning platform to disseminate innovative and sustainable agricultural techniques to smallholder farmers.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Farmer Field Days program is strategically designed to contribute to several SDGs:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By introducing improved agricultural practices and certified planting materials, the initiative aims to boost crop yields, directly enhancing food security and improving nutrition for rural communities.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Increased productivity and more resilient farming systems can lead to higher incomes for smallholder farmers, providing a pathway out of poverty.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The modernization of agricultural practices fosters sustainable economic growth in rural areas by making farming a more viable and productive livelihood.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The promotion of sustainable farming techniques encourages more efficient use of resources, aligning with principles of sustainable production.

Implementation and Impact in Bandjoun

A recent implementation of the program demonstrates its significant reach and potential impact. The Farmer Field Day event in Bandjoun, locally referred to as Journées Scientifiques and Champs-Écoles Paysans (CEP), was held at the Tchala and Touegoue sites. The event successfully achieved the following:

1. Convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, and policymakers.
2. Provided hands-on training and knowledge sharing on sustainable and productive farming methods.
3. Attracted over 10,000 farmers, indicating a strong demand for agricultural innovation and a significant opportunity to scale up efforts to meet the SDGs.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core focus of the article is on addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and limited agricultural yields among smallholder farmers in Cameroon. The initiatives described aim to improve food production and sustainability, which is the central theme of SDG 2.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article explicitly mentions the collaboration between IITA–CGIAR and the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI) to implement the Farmer Field Days. This multi-stakeholder partnership is crucial for sharing knowledge, technology, and resources, which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Explanation: The article directly states that rudimentary farming methods worsen challenges such as “food insecurity and malnutrition.” The Farmer Field Days aim to counter this by improving agricultural practices to increase food availability and quality for farming communities.
2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers…
   • Explanation: The article identifies that smallholder farmers use “non-certified planting materials that limit yields.” The initiative’s goal is to introduce “improved agricultural practices” and “productive farming techniques” specifically to this group, directly aligning with the goal of increasing their productivity.
3. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production…
   • Explanation: The Farmer Field Days are designed to promote “sustainable and productive farming techniques.” This shows a clear intent to move beyond traditional methods towards more resilient and efficient agricultural systems that can sustain long-term food production.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…
   • Explanation: The article highlights a direct partnership between an international research organization (IITA–CGIAR) and a national government body (MINRESI). Their collaboration to organize Farmer Field Days is a perfect example of a multi-stakeholder partnership designed to “transform smallholder agriculture through knowledge sharing and innovation.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not mention official SDG indicator codes, it implies several metrics that can be used to measure progress:

Indicators for SDG 2 Targets

• Prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition: The article identifies these as key challenges. A reduction in their prevalence within the communities served by the program would be a direct measure of progress towards Target 2.1.
• Agricultural yields of smallholder farmers: The problem of “limited yields” is central to the article. Therefore, measuring the change in crop yields per hectare for farmers who adopt the new techniques would be a key indicator for Target 2.3.
• Adoption rate of sustainable agricultural practices: The success of the Farmer Field Days can be measured by the number or percentage of the “over 10,000 farmers” who adopt the “improved agricultural practices” and “sustainable and productive farming techniques” that were shared. This is relevant for Target 2.4.

Indicators for SDG 17 Targets

• Number of farmers reached through partnership programs: The article states that the event attracted “over 10,000 farmers.” This figure serves as a direct indicator of the scale and reach of the knowledge-sharing initiative facilitated by the IITA-MINRESI partnership, which is relevant for Target 17.16.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: cgiar.org