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Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

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CAMEROON is a West African nation bordering <strong>the</strong> Atlantic Ocean, with an area of 475,000<br />

km 2 . Cameroon is one of <strong>the</strong> best-endowed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in natur<strong>al</strong> re<strong>source</strong>s.<br />

About 70% of <strong>the</strong> work<strong>for</strong>ce is employed in agriculture, which makes up 42% of <strong>the</strong> GDP. The<br />

country has three regions: nor<strong>the</strong>rn plains, centr<strong>al</strong> grasslands, and rich farmlands in <strong>the</strong> south,<br />

where <strong>most</strong> of <strong>the</strong> population lives. <strong>Rice</strong> is mainly grown under irrigation. This area is <strong>al</strong>so<br />

under threat of drought and desertification. About 12% of <strong>the</strong> land is arable.<br />

Gener<strong>al</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 1,590<br />

• Intern<strong>al</strong> renewable water re<strong>source</strong>s: 280 km 3<br />

• Main food consumed: roots and tubers,<br />

maize, mill<strong>et</strong> and sorghum, fruits, oil and fat<br />

• <strong>Rice</strong> consumption, 1999: 6.9 kg milled rice<br />

per person per year<br />

Production season<br />

Planting Harvesting<br />

Main season May-Jun Oct-Dec<br />

Off-season Jan-Feb May-Jun<br />

Production constraints<br />

<strong>Rice</strong> yield during 1995-2000 was substanti<strong>al</strong>ly<br />

lower than that during 1985-90. The following<br />

are <strong>the</strong> major constraints to sustainable rice<br />

production in Cameroon:<br />

• Low temperature during <strong>the</strong> off-season in<br />

irrigated areas<br />

• Poor mark<strong>et</strong>ing systems<br />

• D<strong>et</strong>eriorating irrigation infrastructure<br />

• Recently, lack of input supply and credit<br />

because of reorganization of <strong>the</strong> public<br />

sector<br />

• Weak research support<br />

142 <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>al</strong>manac

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