Brief 14 : understanding gender in climate change adaptation for food security in Cameroon

Date

2014-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University for Peace Africa Programme, Addis Ababa, ET

Abstract

The evidence presented in this policy brief confirms the occurrence of climate change, its effects on food crop yields with impacts on food security and the centrality of adaptation by women and men farmers to increase food production and ensure food security in Cameroon. It indicates that in various ways, climate change affects food production. As such, farmers have developed adaptation strategies to cope with the impact of climate change but there is disparity in the degree of application of adaptation strategies by women and men farmers. While more women employ less costly indigenous adaptation options (shift in planting dates, mulching and planting of leguminous shrubs), more men tend to adopt irrigation which though highly efficient, tends to be more costly and requires appropriate land tenure rights. Given this trend, it is necessary to mainstream climate change adaptation in agricultural policy in Cameroon as this will likely prevent food insecurity in the long run.

Description

Keywords

CAMEROON, CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, FOOD SECURITY, CROP YIELD, AGRICULTURAL POLICY, LAND RIGHTS, GENDER DISCRIMINATION, WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, POLICY MAKING, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AFRICAN ORGANIZATIONS

Citation

Ndie Abia, C., & Endeley, J.B. (2014). Brief 14 : Understanding Gender in Climate Change Adaptation for Food Security in Cameroon. UPEACE Africa Policy Series, 1(2): 143-150.

DOI