The Government of Cameroon has adopted a budget of FCFA 16.5 billion for the development of livestock and aquaculture value chains for the 2026 financial year, officials confirmed at the sixth session of the steering committee of the Project for the Development of Livestock and Pisciculture Value Chains (PDCVEP) held recently in Yaounde.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taïga, reviewed progress achieved in 2025 and endorsed plans for the year ahead. The approved budget is earmarked for activities to modernise the production apparatus, diversify commercial exchanges, boost economic growth and generate rural employment and income, according to project documents.
A key highlight in 2025 under the PDCVEP was the incubation of young agro-pastoral entrepreneurs holding higher education qualifications, national project coordinator Dr Aboubakar Njoya told the committee. A total of 275 young people were recruited across 11 incubation centres in all 10 regions of the country, with 266 completing incubation with viable business projects.
Each of these graduates received a FCFA 1 million start-up or reinforcement grant, representing an envelope of FCFA 266 million dedicated to promoting business start-ups among rural youth.The project agenda for 2026 includes the launch of a second cohort of incubated entrepreneurs and the continued efforts to equip young graduates with tools to engage in the livestock and aquaculture sectors.
Infrastructure Contracts and Value Chain Facilities
During the session, the project coordination unit presented progress on infrastructure and contract awards. A convention was signed for the construction of the Bamenda industrial cattle abattoir, and work contracts were executed for 21 artificial insemination centres, of which 13 are under construction, Dr Njoya reported.
Further contracts were signed for bovine fattening centres, including three located in ranches operated by the Livestock Development and Exploitation Corporation (SODEPA). With technical support from the Special Fund for Intercommunal Equipment and Intervention (FEICOM), the project has commissioned 17 meat and fish market facilities nationwide, while eight additional markets are under construction.
Project officials noted the need to finalise contracts for industrial abattoirs in Douala and Yaoundé, and to monitor the progress of construction of the Bamenda abattoir. Plans for 2026 also include the construction of two pisciculture broodstock production stations and the distribution of 360 improved pig breeding stock. These measures aim to expand productive capacity in key value chains and support domestic production.
National efforts to expand aquaculture reflect strategic intentions to boost domestic fish output by an additional 10,000 tonnes annually by 2027 under the PDCVEP, supported by external financing equivalent to approximately FCFA 55 billion from the African Development Bank. These initiatives are designed to reduce heavy reliance on fish imports, strengthen food security and expand rural incomes.
The incubation programme and infrastructure investments are expected to contribute to job creation and improved market linkages for livestock and fish products. With young entrepreneurs entering the market and new facilities in place, project stakeholders stress the importance of continued implementation and monitoring to ensure that investments translate into economic outcomes in the rural economy.
Mercy Fosoh
