Agro-climatic resources and challenges to food production in Cameroon

The agro-climatic resources of Cameroon are examined in light of the potential for food crop production and challenges presented by climate change. We find that the diversity of Cameroon's agro-climate offers the potential for the cultivation of a variety of food crops. This feature of Cameroonian agriculture can be used in addressing the country's adaptive capacity to climate change. However, the Savanna zones of the country, which are its most productive, are also the most vulnerable to climate change. The main climate change challenge in these Savanna zones is that of drought and associated agricultural water demand. Appropriate management strategies to address agricultural water demand can also address important problems in Cameroonian agriculture, such as the effects of climatic uncertainties in small-scale food crop production and soil nutrient depletion. To ensure the success of these management strategies, a number of obstacles may have to be addressed. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.