Digital tools for farmers in Cameroon are creating new ways for small farmers to improve their work and reach a wider audience. Agriculture provides work for a large part of the country’s population, but many farmers still have limited access to markets, information and modern farming tools. The World Bank-supported Acceleration of the Digital Transformation of Cameroon Project (PATNUC) is working to change this. The project uses digital platforms and other tools to help farmers access better seeds and fertilizers, learn more about farming conditions and connect with potential buyers.

Challenges for Small Farmers

For many small farmers in Cameroon, the challenges are not just about farming. It can also be difficult to reach customers, find reliable information and get quality seeds. Rural farmers might have less opportunity to compare prices or find new customers. This can make it harder for them to get more money for what they produce. Digital tools can help solve some of these problems by providing farmers with easier access to information, agricultural services and markets.

Digital Support Through PATNUC

One of PATNUC’s main tools is an e-voucher system that helps small farmers get seeds and fertilizers. According to a World Bank report published in March 2025, more than 9,000 producers had joined the system by December 2024. Nearly 4,000 had received subsidies for seeds and fertilizers.

A newer World Bank article from June 2026 reports that 35,000 small farmers are accessing farming supplies through the e-voucher system. PATNUC also supports digital tools that give farmers information about soil health and farming conditions. The World Bank projects that these tools could increase yields by up to 100% for some key crops.

Finding More Buyers Online

Digital tools for farmers in Cameroon are also helping producers reach more customers. For many small farmers, producing food is only one part of the challenge. They also need to find people willing to buy what they grow or produce. Digital platforms can give farmers another way to reach customers without depending only on traditional markets and local buyers.

One example is eFarm.cm, a digital marketplace that connects farmers and agricultural businesses with customers. Through the platform, producers can promote their products online and reach buyers who may not have found them otherwise. PATNUC has supported digital agriculture businesses like eFarm.cm as part of its effort to expand the use of technology in Cameroon’s agricultural sector.

The experience of Feteh Clarence, a poultry producer at Eliboy Fortune Farms, provides a clear example of what digital marketing can mean for a local business. Clarence told the World Bank in June 2026 that the farm previously produced around 5,000 chicks each week but often struggled to sell them. After beginning to use digital marketing, the business was able to sell at least 15,000 chicks per week. Production also increased and could reach as many as 20,000 chicks in a week.

For farmers and small agricultural businesses, reaching more buyers can mean more opportunities to sell what they produce and grow their businesses. Platforms such as eFarm.cm are one example of how technology can connect agricultural producers with a wider market.

Challenges of Digital Access

Not every farmer in Cameroon can easily use digital services. In rural areas, internet access can be limited, and phones or other devices can be expensive. Some farmers may also be unfamiliar with online platforms. This means that having a useful farming app or website does not always mean that farmers can use it.

In a 2022 study, FAO and the International Telecommunication Union looked at digital agriculture in 47 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon. Their research examined internet infrastructure, access to technology and the digital skills needed to use these services.

This matters as more farming services move online. Farmers can use their phones to check market information, learn about farming methods or find places to sell their products. But a farmer with poor internet access or little experience using digital services may not be able to do the same.

Making digital tools for farmers in Cameroon easier to use is one part of the work. Reaching farmers outside larger towns is another. Better internet access and basic digital training could help more small farmers use these services in their daily work.

Farming Information by Phone

Not every digital tool needs a smartphone or an app. In some parts of Cameroon, simple mobile phones have also been used to share farming information. This can be useful in rural areas where internet access is not always reliable.

In a 2019 article, Yves Stéphane Ngaleu, founder of ENJEAL NYS AGRO, described an SMS project that worked with small farmers in Cameroon. The project began in Nkolntsa in the Centre Region in 2017. Farmers growing crops such as cocoa and maize received messages related to their crops. The messages were sent regularly and included farming advice based on the production period. Farmers also took part in practical training where they could use what they had learned from the messages.

The service was not only used to send advice. Farmers could reply with questions and receive an answer by SMS or phone call. Mobile phones were also used to share information about cocoa prices. Ngaleu also described how the program expanded to Nkolossan in 2019, adding more crops, including cassava, tomatoes and peppers. This was an example of how simple phones could be used to share farming information without depending on a smartphone.

Digital tools for farmers in Cameroon can make some parts of farming easier. A farmer can use an online platform to look for buyers or receive useful information on a mobile phone. These services are not available to everyone yet. Some farmers still have problems with internet access, the cost of devices or using digital services. Especially in rural areas, getting online can be difficult most of the time.

Projects such as PATNUC are trying to reach more farmers. For small farmers, having better access to information and buyers can make a difference in their daily work. A phone or a simple online service cannot solve every problem, but it can give them more ways to manage their farms and sell what they produce.

– Mert Sungur

Mert is based in Bursa, Turkey and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons