No. 29: Food Security in Africa’s Secondary Cities: No. 3. Dschang, Cameroon

This report forms part of the African Food Security Urban Network’s efforts to increase knowledge on urban food systems and household food insecurity in Africa’s cities. Focusing on food security in the municipality of Dschang in Cameroon, the report builds on studies of secondary cities in Malawi and Namibia. These studies confirm that household food insecurity is widespread in smaller African cities and is linked to poverty, rising food prices, high unemployment, and limited opportunities to produce food. This report on Dschang contributes to an understanding of poverty in the city in terms of what people are eating, how they get their food, and the difficulties households face in accessing necessities such as water and electricity. AFSUN’s focus on food as an urban issue brings a new perspective to discussions on food security in Central Africa, particularly in Cameroon. While the region is rich in agriculture, food insecurity persists and solutions are usually sought through rural development and agricultural innovation. While this study focuses on Dschang, its findings and recommendations can be applied nationally as well as locally. The report aims to help Cameroon’s government to improve its food security policies, food system governance, and urban planning.