Cameroon has deployed specialised equipment under the Integrated Agropastoral and Fisheries Import-Substitution Plan (PIISAH) to strengthen local milk production and reduce reliance on imports, which exceed 80 billion CFA francs annually.
The equipment was received by the state-owned Livestock Development Corporation (SODEPA) in Yaounde on April 3. It will support a dairy production project targeting 2,000 cows and annual output of 400 tonnes of milk, as part of efforts to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce import dependence.
The newly acquired assets include four tricycles, two of them battery-powered refrigerated units capable of maintaining cold temperatures for up to six hours over distances of 80 to 100 kilometres. Two additional isothermal tricycles are designed to limit heat transfer during transport. The package also includes a refrigerated truck, a drone, four pickup trucks, and eight motorcycles designated for artificial insemination operations, along with protective gear such as anti-splash goggles, hearing protection and helmets with visors.
According to officials, the equipment will be deployed across four sites: Ndokayo in the East, Faro in the North, Djohong in Adamawa, and Afanloum in the Centre region. It is expected to strengthen logistics, maintain product quality through cold chain compliance, and support the structuring of the dairy value chain.
SODEPA said the equipment will help increase national milk production. Cameroon currently produces about 174,000 tonnes of milk per year, but output remains below national demand, leading to imports of dairy products and by-products worth more than 80 billion CFA francs annually.
To address the gap, SODEPA is implementing a crossbreeding programme combining local cattle with higher-yield tropical breeds from Latin America, notably Brazil. Fodder fields have been established, and Argentine partners are supporting implementation in the field.
Mercy Fosoh
