North West Livestock Development Fund (NWLDF) and Regulation Policies: A Historical Perpesctive, 1974-2016

This study seeks to highlight the shortcomings in the execution of
regulatory policies by the North West Livestock Development Fund
(NWLDF) since its inception in 1974, aimed at advancing livestock
production in the region. Following independence, Cameroon, with its
favorable natural conditions and supportive dynamics, began to prioritize
the livestock sector. During Ahmadou Ahidjo’s administration, the
government recognized the livestock industry’s significant potential to
contribute to national development. Consequently, the 1971-1975
Development Plan prominently featured livestock enhancement,
concentrating on increasing production and productivity. To facilitate the
objectives of this plan, the Livestock Development Corporation was
established in 1974, tasked with boosting both the quality and quantity
of livestock outputs in Cameroon. A key role of the Development Fund
was to implement and establish policies designed to uplift livestock
farmers and their families. This paper asserts that while these regulatory
policies were thoughtfully crafted and aimed at positive outcomes, the
actual implementation was done inadequately. This resulted in
significant disparities between the set goals and the outcomes,
perpetuating a cycle of crises for both farmers and their livestock. The
research presented in this paper is derived from a combination of primary
and secondary sources, organized through chronological and thematic
frameworks.

Keywords: Enforcement gaps, Regulation Policies, Livestock, Implementation, Crisis