Fish ponds across the coastal regions of south western Cameroon have become a major hub of opportunity and economic transformation. These ponds are not only centres of fish production, but they represent a new hope for fish farmers of Cameroon, including young people and women. A new US$ 97.86 million project known as Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP in the French acronym), has been financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The project is being implemented by Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries to empower Cameroon’s fishing communities.
A new high performance strain of African catfish (Clarias), developed Cameroon’s Agricultural Research Institute for Development is at the centre of positive transformation in country’s aquaculture sector. The new Clarias strain offers rapid growth, low fat content, and low mortality, reaching 350–500 grams in just five to six months, compared to eight or nine months for earlier strains. Its fry has a survival rate of 80 to 85%, compared to around 60% for the earlier strains, and each female can produce 15,000 to 20,000 fry per cycle, with up to three cycles annually.
Strengthening Cameroon’s Aquaculture
Intitially, a total of 2,600 broodstock fish were delivered to 50 hatcheries were chosen for the pre extension phase of the Project, aiming to enhance fish genetic quality, empower fish farmers, and address food security challenges. Since the launch of pilot hatcheries in October 2024, a total of 15,000 fry have been produced and sold, with most of hatcheries receiving positive results. Some of the broodstock, being immature upon arrival. required a period of three months of additional growth, which was factored into the production schedule.
Fanta Njifondjou Oumarou, a fisherwoman from town of Limbé in north western Cameroon has stated that the support provided by the project is encouraging farming communities to move forward. Extending her gratitude to all partners of the project as she feels better equipped to generate profit from fish farming.
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The project is part of a broader vision for aquaculture development in Cameroon that goes far beyond the provision of broodstock. So far, 280 fish farmers from various regions of Cameroon have received comprehensive training across all aspects of the value chain. including aquaculture feed, reproduction, hatchery management, floating cage farming, and business management. The PD-CVEP led initiative aims to empower stakeholders with technical capacities, which will help them in gaining economic prosperity, and also equip them with the ability to improve the quality of fish products available in local markets.
Other than the provision of broodstock, a tripartite system involving the Agricultural Research Institute for Development, the Project, and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries works with regional fish farming associations to ensure rigorous monitoring of broodstock use and performance. Quarterly technical reports, backed by a digital data collection system, allow for effective monitoring of production levels, beneficiary satisfaction, and the impact of training programs. The aims of the project is to increase Cameroon’s fish production by 10,000 tons annually by 2027, reducing dependency on imports while strengthening food security.
As part of the project, AfDB misson recommended a accelerating the supply of improved clarias and tilapia broodstock to enrich the national gene pool earlier this year. A total of 15,000 broodstock including 12,000 clarias and 3,000 tilapia are being delivered, as per an agreement signed with the Agricultural Research Institute for Development.
We will provide close support to the beneficiary hatcheries. It is essential that traceability, broodstock performance, and the quality of the fry are guaranteed. This project is crucial for the future of our aquaculture sector
Hermine Kemedeu Tchuileu, a beneficiary of project based in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital reported that she received certified broodstock with excellent yields, noting that these reliable strains grow faster and avoid the irregularity and lack of traceability of older strains, transforming production practices, she further added that that the maarket demand is responding to these improvements, with traders and restaurants recognising the enhanced quality and taste of fish from the new clarias broodstock.
Scaling Impact and Ensuring Sustainability
Field visits to the Deïdo and Dakar markets have shed light on the challenging working conditions of fishmongers in Cameroon and has prompted the PD-CVEP project to work on upgrading of sales facilities, improving hygienic of counters, providing access to ice and running water, and ensuring proper security. Marthe Epoko, a vendor at Deïdo market, has stated that clean and secure counters are very important not only for preserving fish but it gives a sense of dignity, which is a true reflection the Project’s commitment to improve livelihoods of the famers.
Ongoing improvements in Bamenda, Yaoundé, and Foumban will strengthen the national supply of quality fry in Cameroon, and will position these regional hubs as strategic centers supporting hundreds of fish farmers. The PD-CVEP is a grounded support initiative that represents a resilient, inclusive local development ecosystem grounded in training, innovation, and sustainable practices, aligning itself with Cameroon’s national policy for rural transformation.