ANTIC Connects Farmers With Agritech Startups to Cut Losses, Boost Productivity

Cameroon’s National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) said on August 12 that it had brought together 100 farmers and 14 agritech startups in the South West Region to explore digital solutions aimed at reducing agricultural losses, improving market access and raising farm productivity.

The initiative comes as post-harvest losses continue to limit the amount of locally produced food reaching markets. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in March 2026 that losses for some crops in Cameroon, particularly fruits, vegetables and tubers, can reach 40% between production and marketing.

The farmers and startups are taking part in ANTIC’s Forum on Digital Agriculture in Limbe, held under the theme, “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation and Food Security in Cameroon.”

ANTIC said the forum is examining technologies including precision agriculture, digital marketplaces, drones, smart livestock management and digital farm-management systems. These tools could help farmers manage inputs more efficiently, detect pests, reduce post-harvest losses and connect directly with buyers. Digital financial services are also being presented as a way to expand access to credit, insurance and payments.

ANTIC Director General Prof Ebot Ebot Enaw said the sector remains central to employment and livelihoods in Cameroon, but farmers continue to face constraints linked to climate, production, infrastructure, financing and market access.

“By leveraging digital technologies such as precision agriculture, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, digital advisory services and smart supply-chain management, Cameroon can increase agricultural productivity, reduce food losses, improve market access and strengthen national food security,” Ebot said.

Agriculture accounts for 18.5% of GDP

The digital-agriculture push is targeting a sector that remains a significant part of Cameroon’s economy. World Bank data show that agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 18.5% of GDP in 2024, up from 17.1% in 2023.

Agricultural exports have also supported the country’s external position. The World Bank said stronger agricultural exports contributed to narrowing Cameroon’s current-account deficit from 4.1% of GDP in 2023 to 3.2% in 2024.

Production and supply chains, however, continue to face significant losses. FAO attributes post-harvest losses to inadequate transport infrastructure, poor handling and storage, limited preservation equipment, climate pressures and low levels of local processing. These losses reduce farmers’ incomes and the amount of food available to households.

The problem comes amid continued pressure on food security. In an April 2026 assessment, FAO estimated that more than 2.8 million people, or 10% of the population analysed, would face severe acute food insecurity between June and August 2026. About 250,000 were expected to be in the emergency phase.

ANTIC said the forum is designed to bring technology developers into direct contact with farmers so that digital tools can be adapted to challenges encountered on farms.

On the sidelines of the event, Ebot met representatives of the 14 Silicon Mountain ICT startups to discuss constraints affecting their operations and possible areas of support from ANTIC. The startups are also using the forum to demonstrate digital finance, farm-management, marketplace and drone-based solutions to potential users.

Mercy Fosoh