CARBON FARMING: A GATEWAY TO PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION OF CAMEROON
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20544/uklop.2026.607Keywords:
Carbon farming, climate-smart agriculture, climate change, SDG2, SDG13, adaptation, mitigationAbstract
Introduction: Agriculture, which constitutes approximately 17% of Cameroon’s economy, and employs 70% of Cameroon's labor is grappling with substantial challenges posed by climate change. This study explores carbon farming practices, such as cover cropping, agroforestry, and reduced tillage, as climate-smart strategies to promote sustainable agriculture while mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.
Methods: This study employs a mixed-methods approach, involving 27 semi-structured interviews with farmers, exporters, NGOs, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as a focus group discussion with community stakeholders. Secondary data review and trade dataset analysis are also incorporated.
Results: 70% of respondents expressed willingness to adopt at least one carbon farming practice, provided they received adequate training and financial support. Most farmers expressed concern about the potential of reduced yields but were excited by the possibility of trading CO2 captured for extra income. Key barriers identified by Stakeholders include measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), cost, and regulatory gaps.
Discussion: The study concludes that integrating carbon farming into Cameroon's agricultural strategy offers a practical pathway to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 13. Moreover, it positions Cameroon as a potential regional leader in climate-smart agriculture while balancing economic, environmental, and social priorities.
Downloads
References
1. Yusuf Musa. 2024. Agriculture in Cameroon: production, import, export. Global Tribune, available at https://globaltribune.net/agriculture-in-cameroon-production-import-export (November 6, 2025).
2. IMF.2024. Climate Change in Cameroon: Key Challenges and Reform Priorities. IMF eLibrary, available at https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2024/052/article-A003-en.xml (November 6, 2025)
3. Carbon Cycle Institute. "n.d.". What is Carbon Farming. Carbon Cycle Institute, available at https://www.carboncycle.org/what-is-carbon-farming/ (November 6, 2025)
4. Greening Australia. What is Carbon Farming,Green Australia. Available at https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/carbon-offsetting/what-is-carbon-farming/ (November 6, 2025)
5. DJ May. 2022. Which countries are using agricultural carbon markets?. Decoding Carbon and Ecosystem Services, available at https://decode6.org/articles/countries-with-agricultural-carbon-markets/#:~:text=Content%20has%20been%20adapted%20from,a%20part%20in%20generating%20offsets). (November 6, 2025)
6. Tankou, C.M. 2023. Climate smart agriculture through passive and active strategies to counter climate-change and climate variation in order to boost small-scale farming systems in Cameroon. RUFORUM Working Document Series Available at https://c-sas.org/docs/RUFORUM%202023_%20Climate_smart_agriculture_through_passive_Tankou_Cameroon.pdf Accessed (September 2, 2025)
7. DingaTambi. 2024. Climate smart agriculture for sustainable food production among producer organizations in Cameroon. Agriculture and Trade. Available at: https://camepi.org/agriculture-and-trade/climate-smart-agriculture-for-sustainable-food-production-among-producer-organizations-in-cameroon/ (November 9, 2025)
8. Friederike Schilling et al. 2023. Carbon Farming in Africa: Opportunities and challenges for engaging smallholder farmers. Center for Development University of Bonn. Available at https://www.zef.de/fileadmin/webfiles/downloads/zef_wp/ZEF_Working_Paper_221.pdf accessed August 6, 2025
9. Verina Ingram et al. 2025. "Cocoa driven deforestation in Cameroon: Practices and policy." Forest Policy and Economics. Volume177. (2025) 103533. ISSN 1389-9341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2025.103533
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2025.103533
10. National Development Strategy 2020-2030: For structural transformation and inclusive development. Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development. P.7Available at https://www.effectivecooperation.org/system/files/202201/NATIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_STRATEGY_2020_2030.pdf accessed 08/08/2025
11. Hans Paulsen. 2020. "Inventory of techniques for carbon sequestration in agriculture." Northsearegion. Available at https://northsearegion.eu/media/12543/20200313-cf-rapport.pdf
12. Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? Field Methods, 18(1), 59-82.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903
13. Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., &Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533-544.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
PMid:24193818 PMCid:PMC4012002
14. Carbon Market Institute. Fact Sheet: Carbon Farming. Carbon Market Institute. Available at https://carbonmarketinstitute.org/app/uploads/2022/08/Fact-Sheet-Carbon-Farming-101.pdf Accessed (November 24, 2025)
15. BronaghLoughlin 2024. Understanding Carbon Farming: A path to climate-smart agriculture. Institute of Sustainability Studies. Accessed https://instituteofsustainabilitystudies.com/insights/lexicon/understanding-carbon-farming-a-path-to-climate-smart-agriculture/
