Cameroon tests agritech tools to cut 40% post-harvest losses

Cameroon’s National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) brought together 100 farmers and 14 agritech startups in Limbe, South West Region, on August 12 to examine digital tools for reducing post-harvest losses, expanding market access, and improving farm productivity.

The forum, themed “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation and Food Security in Cameroon,” covers precision agriculture, digital marketplaces, drones, smart livestock management, and digital farm-management systems. Digital financial services are also being presented to improve access to credit, insurance, and payments.

The initiative addresses post-harvest losses in Cameroon’s food supply chain. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported in March 2026 that losses for some crops, particularly fruits, vegetables, and tubers, can reach 40% between production and marketing. Factors include inadequate transport infrastructure, poor handling and storage, limited preservation equipment, climate pressures, and low levels of local processing.

ANTIC Director General Prof Ebot Ebot Enaw said digital technologies could address some of these constraints. “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,” he said.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing accounted for 18.5% of Cameroon’s GDP in 2024, up from 17.1% in 2023, according to World Bank data.

ANTIC said the forum connects technology developers directly with farmers so digital tools can be adapted to on-farm challenges. Prof Ebot also met representatives of the 14 Silicon Mountain ICT startups to discuss operational constraints and potential support. The startups are demonstrating digital finance, farm management, marketplace, and drone-based solutions.