Public Agricultural Spending on Cowpea and Soybean Yields in Cameroon: Implications for Productivity and Sustainable Development

This study examines the impact of public agricultural spending on cowpea and soybean yields in Cameroon from 2000 to 2024, using time series data and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) analysis. The results indicate that public agricultural spending, land use, agricultural labour, and fertilizer use explain 82% and 96% of the variation in soybean and cowpea yields, respectively. Findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between agricultural labour and yields for both crops, highlighting the importance of labour-intensive farming practices. Additionally, increased public agricultural spending significantly enhances cowpea yields, emphasizing the critical role of government investment in agriculture. Conversely, a 30% decrease in public spending would likely reduce yields due to diminished access to essential inputs and services. The study underscores the need for sustained public support and efficient labour use to boost agricultural productivity in Cameroon. Copyright© 2024 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.