This letter exchange between Shalini Ranjan from India and Tabeng Lionel Tah from Cameroon explores the realities and root causes of hunger, in connection with Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Through their reflections, they highlight how agriculture, inequality, climate change, and governance shape food insecurity; and point to the need for sustainable, inclusive solutions.
Letter 1
Dear Shalini,
I hope this letter finds you well, I am Tabeng Lionel Tah, a dedicated student with a strong passion for governance and development. I am currently pursuing an advance master’s degree at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, where I am deepening my expertise in policy-making, institutional frameworks, and sustainable development strategies. My academic journey reflects my commitment to understand complex societal challenges and contribute to impactful solutions in governance and development. My focus is driven by a desire to shape effective policies that foster progress and equitable growth. I am writing to discuss the sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero poverty, particularly in the context of Cameroon. This objective is very important as poverty remains a persistent challenge both in our countries and in Africa as a whole.
The United Nations (UN) has established 17 sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to address the global pressing issues, including the eradication of extreme poverty by 2030. The goal of “zero poverty” is designed to improve living standards by ensuring universal access to essential resources such as food, clean water, healthcare, education, and housing. This goal is especially relevant to Cameroon, where poverty continues to affect significant portions of the population particularly in the rural regions of South West and North West regions and much of the northern part of Cameroon. These arears experience heightened economic challenges due to limited access to employment, education, and infrastructure. Additionally, the ongoing Anglophone conflicting both English speaking regions and some arears of the Far North exacerbated by insurgencies such as Boko Haram, further contribute to economic instability and hinder poverty alleviation efforts.
The persistence of poverty in Cameroon is largely due to systemic factors that impede the socioeconomic mobility. For instance, stallholder farmers face substantial difficulties due to unpredictable climatic conditions, insufficient resources, insecurity and restricted access to markets. Even in situations where markets access is available conflict-related disruptions often prevent economic participation. Urban poverty has also become increasingly prevalent, driven by high rural-to-urban migration rates and limited employment opportunities in major cities.
Despite these challenges, several initiatives have been implemented to address poverty in Cameroon. The Cameroon Vision 2035 strategic plan aims to reduce poverty through infrastructural development, educational reforms and economic diversification. Additionally, the numerous local and international non-governmental organizations are actively engaged in supporting vulnerable communities, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and empowering women and young people through skill development and financial accessibility programs.
While governmental and institutional efforts are essential for poverty reduction, community engagement, and individual contributions also play a significant role. Raising awareness, supporting small enterprises, and participating in local initiatives can contribute to a broader poverty alleviation efforts and foster sustainable development. Given the significance of these issues, I believe it is crucial for us to seek solutions and actively contribute to efforts aimed at poverty reduction. By working collectively, we can foster a more equitable and prosperous society in Cameroon.
I look forward to discussing this further and exploring ways to contribute to a positive change.
Best Regards.
Tabeng
Letter 2
Dear Tabeng,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. My name is Shalini Ranjan, and I’m currently pursuing my post-graduate studies in Rural Management at the Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi. I have a deep interest in development issues—especially poverty alleviation, sustainable agriculture, and empowering women and youth in rural communities. Adding to that I have a keen interest in cooking exploring nature cooking food, and reading fiction.
Thank you for our ongoing exchange—it’s been truly enriching. Today, I wanted to share some thoughts with you on the issue of poverty in India, particularly how it ties into Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Despite significant strides in areas like technology, infrastructure, and education, poverty remains a pressing concern in many parts of India.
For millions of people, especially in rural and underserved regions, poverty is not just about low income—it’s about struggling for basic human needs like food, clean water, shelter, and decent work. In rural India, most families rely on agriculture, but the sector faces challenges such as unpredictable weather, lack of irrigation, and limited access to quality inputs.
Farmers in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are particularly vulnerable. A single crop failure due to drought or flooding can push a family into deep debt, as many take loans for seeds and fertilizers. Sadly, in some cases, the pressure becomes so overwhelming that farmers are driven to take their own lives.
Food insecurity is closely linked to this poverty. In states such as Odisha and Jharkhand, undernutrition is common—especially among children. Many families can only afford one or two meals a day, and even those meals often lack essential nutrients. Meanwhile, areas like Rajasthan and Maharashtra face frequent droughts, worsening the crisis for farming households.
In search of better opportunities, many rural people migrate to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. However, life in urban areas comes with its own hardships. Migrant workers often take up daily wage jobs in construction, factories, or domestic work. They live in overcrowded slums with poor sanitation, little access to clean water, and very limited healthcare.
Inflation has made things worse. As prices for basic goods like food, gas, and housing continue to rise, poor families are hit the hardest. Even those who work long hours struggle to afford everyday essentials. Youth unemployment is another growing issue—many educated young people are unable to find meaningful jobs, especially in states where small businesses are shutting down.
While the Indian government has introduced programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS), MGNREGA, and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, these often fall short due to issues like corruption, delayed payments, or poor implementation. NGOs and grassroots organizations are trying to bridge the gap—offering support in areas like food security, women’s livelihoods, and child education. But these efforts need to be expanded and better coordinated.
I believe a multi-pronged approach is key to tackling poverty—improving how welfare schemes are implemented, creating local employment opportunities, expanding skill development, and investing in education for children from poor families. Managing inflation and ensuring basic goods remain affordable are also crucial steps.
I’m really curious to know how these issues play out in your country. Here are a few questions I’d love your thoughts on:
- What are the main causes of poverty in your country? Is it more severe in rural areas or in cities?
- Do people migrate from one place to another for work? If so, what kinds of difficulties do they face?
- How does inflation affect low-income households in your community?
Warm wishes,
Shalini Ranjan
Letter 3
Hello, SHALINI
I have read through your letter and I have three relevant questions I wish you could throw more light on, before we get to these questions, here are the answers to the questions you asked in your last email.
Poverty in Cameroon: Rural Vs Urban Disparities
Poverty remains a significant challenge in Cameroon, with a national poverty rate of 38.6% in 2021. However, the distribution of poverty is highly uneven between rural and urban arears. Rural communities experience a much higher poverty rate as compared to the urban arears. Njoupouognigni, M. (2021). The regions most affected include the Far-Nord, North-West, North, Adamawa, and East, where poverty levels exceed the national average Njoupouognigni, M. (2021).
Several factors contribute to these differences. Rural areas often lack access to essential services such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation, which are more readily available in the cities. Additionally, rural economies are largely dependent of agriculture, which is more vulnerable to climate change, poor infrastructure, and market fluctuations. Urban poverty on the other hand, is more heterogeneous, influenced by employment opportunities, housing conditions, and access to social services. Mohamed, A., & Kamaleldin, H. M. (2025)
Migration for work in Cameroon: Patterns and challenges
Like India, Cameroon experiences significant internal migration as most people move from rural to urban areas in search for better economic opportunities. Additionally, international migration is common mostly among youths seeking employment abroad, particularly in Europe and neighboring African countries. Mberu, B. U., & Pongou, R. (2016).
Migrants face several challenges, including job insecurity, exploitation and legal barriers. Many struggle with wages, lack of social protection, and difficulties in obtaining work permits. Those migrating internationally often encounter housing shortages, high living cost and limited access to formal employment. Farther more, rural migrants may lack the necessary skills to compete in urban job markets, leading to underemployment informal sector work Teye, J. K., & Oucho, L. (2023)
Inflation and its Impact on low income families in Cameroon
Inflation has had a severe impact on low income families in Cameroon, particularly in recent years. The rising cost of living has increased most notably in the prices of food stuffs, which has increased at a faster rate compared to other goods
Fresh produce in particular, has become considerably more expensive, making it increasingly challenging for families to afford essential items and maintain a basic living standards. Low income households allocate a significant portion of their budget to food, transportation and housing, all of which have seen price increase. In rural arears, inflation has further reduced the purchasing power of families, making it harder to maintain a basic standard of living. Government efforts, such as banning some cereal exports, have attempted to reduce inflation, but food prices continue to increase, exacerbating economic hardship. Fako Sitcheu, M. (2013)
Poverty in Cameroon is deeply rooted in regional and economic disparities, with rural arears facing the highest level of deprivation. Migration for work is a common strategy for escaping poverty, but migrants often encounter significant obstacles in securing stable employment. Inflation further worsens the situation, disproportionally affecting low income families by increasing the cost of essential goods. Addressing these issues requires targeted policies that promote economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance social protection for vulnerable populations.
Questions for you
1. How do you think NGOs can collaborate more effectively with local governments to reduce poverty on a larger scale in India?
2. What specific measures would you suggest to improve agricultural conditions for farmers in rural India?
Thank you
Tabeng Lionel
Letter 4
Hello Tabeng
Thank you for your insightful letter discussing poverty, rural-urban migration, and the impact of inflation on low-income families in Cameroon. I have gone through your points and responded to the questions from your perspective. I hope my answers add value to the conversation and shed light on the issues you raised. 1. How do you think NGOs can collaborate more effectively with local governments to reduce poverty on a larger scale in India? To make a real dent in poverty, NGOs and local governments need to move beyond just parallel efforts and instead build strong, intentional partnerships. One of the most effective ways this can happen is through co-designing programs where NGOs bring their grassroots knowledge and experience, and governments provide broader resources, scalability, and policy frameworks. For example, NGOs working with communities can identify very specific local needs like a lack of clean water, vocational training for women, or digital literacy for youth. Instead of trying to solve these issues alone, they can partner with local government bodies (like Panchayats or District Collectors) to embed these initiatives into government schemes or create new pilot models together. This not only helps scale the impact but also ensures sustainability even after the NGO steps back. Capacity building is another area where NGOs can play a vital role helping government staff and local elected officials improve their understanding of social issues, technology use, or community engagement. On the flip side, local governments can support NGOs by offering access to public spaces like schools or community halls, data to help target interventions, or even funding under schemes like CSR or rural development grants. 2. What specific measures would you suggest to improve agricultural conditions for farmers in rural India? Farming continues to be the backbone of rural India, yet farmers often remain the most vulnerable due to climate uncertainties, market volatility, and outdated practices. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but a mix of the following strategies can truly uplift the agricultural sector and support rural farmers: a. Access to timely and affordable credit: Alot of small-scale farmers depend on informal moneylenders who charge high interest, leading them into cycles of debt. Strengthening microfinance institutions, farmer credit cards (Kisan Credit Cards), and easy access to formal banking services can help farmers manage their investments and risks better. Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): FPOs allow farmers to come together as a group, pool their resources, and bargain better when selling their produce or buying inputs. They also enable shared access to tools, cold storage, and transport—cutting costs and improving efficiency. With proper training and digital tools, these can be powerful community-driven institutions. c. Agricultural education and extension services: Many farmers still rely on traditional knowledge, which is valuable but not always sufficient, especially with changing climate patterns. Extension services should regularly provide training on organic farming, crop rotation, water-efficient irrigation like drip systems, and use of improved seeds or fertilizers. NGOs and agri-tech startups can help bridge this knowledge gap using mobile technology or community workshops. d. Market linkages and fair pricing: Farmers often don’t earn much because they have limited access to direct markets and have to sell to middlemen at lower rates. Setting up local farmer markets, digital platforms that connect them to buyers, and better transport infrastructure can help improve their income. Governments can also ensure minimum support prices are enforced transparently. e. Infrastructure and irrigation: Many rural farmers depend on unpredictable rains. Better irrigation systems (like canals or rainwater harvesting) can reduce risk. In addition, investment in roads, electricity, cold storage, and warehousing is essential so that farmers can store and transport crops without losses.
Thank you