There is one thing I will like this forum to look into properly because I greatly believe that it is the most impacting aspect of food insecurity.
- Smallholder, policies, climate change, food security and nutrition.
- Smallholders and small family scale farmers play an important role in the availability and affordability of food.
- They are the most affected in food crisis problems arising from climate change and other influences not related to climate change.
- In the case of malnutrition, 80% of their children suffer more.
- The efforts put in place by the state and other international organizations hardly have a direct positive impact on their livelihood and activities.
Live example of food security threat due to climate change: In the Bangem, Kupe-Muanenguba Division of the South West Region of Cameroon, and in about 9 of 10 regions of Cameroon, Cocoyams belonging to the genus Colocasia (locally known as “Ibo coacoa”) suffered a serious blight in 2008. This disease emergence was favoured by rainy overcast weather with low night temperatures; disease spread primarily by splashing rain water.
This specie of cocoyam which was main source of most of Cameroonian delicacies got extinct and has recently been discovered in a village at the foot of the Muanenguba twin lakes (Poala) in a very small quantity. All efforts to make it grow in other areas again have been abortive as a result of climate change.
The local population are facing serious food crisis, change in the consumption pattern and most individuals who depended on this product are now left with the option of buying food and trying to cope with other means.
Thus there is still more to be done in this aspect, probably by involving local based organizations that can identify and work with these communities. The approach this time should begin from the grassroots and I believe it will yield more fruits.
Mr. Nkwelle Nkede Flabert