An effective organic waste recycling through vermicomposting technology for sustainable agriculture in tropics

peer reviewedPurpose The management of household wastes has been a real challenge for the capital city of Cameroon for some years now. In order to adopt ecological and sustainable strategies for better management of organic fraction of solid wastes, the present work was aimed to propose a sustainable alternative for the recycling of household organic waste through a vermicomposting process. Method A vermicomposting of household organic waste was carried out during 46 days, preceded by 23 days of pre-composting. Then, three treatments were established by mixing epigeic earthworms with different proportion of pre-composted waste. Maturation parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), C/N ratio, ammonium (N-NH4+ ) and total organic matter (TOM) were monitored about four weeks. The agronomic quality of the vermicompost was also determined at the end. Results During pre-composting, the temperature reached a maximum of 54.3±5.4°C suitable for the elimination of potential pathogen. The pH varied between 9.44 and 8.53 leading towards neutrality at the end of the vermi-composting process. The obtained mean values of C/N ratio and the TOM were respectively 11.04-11.68 and 25.82-27.19% in line with the AFNOR (NFU 44-051) guideline. The obtained vermicompost revealed high levels of nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca and Mg. The phytotoxicity test on lettuce showed germination rates above 50%, revealing the non-toxic nature of the vermicompost produced. Conclusion The vermicompost were rich in nutrients and exhibited the non-phytotoxicity. Thus, vermicomposting can be applied in the context of Cameroon to transform organic waste into organic fertiliser suitable for sustainable agriculture

Wetland Vegetation Colonization and Expansion in Small Impoundments in Yaounde, Cameroon, West Africa

Temporal changes in the pattern and distribution of tropical wetland vegetation in four small impoundments over a 28-year period were documented for a wetland ecosystem in the Olezoa drainage basin in Yaounde, Cameroon, West Africa. These impoundments were constructed along the Olezoa stream for the purpose of aquaculture and ranged in size from 1.4 to 3.0 ha, had depths between 200 to 400 cm, and were devoid of vegetation. Evaluation of the impoundments and the surrounding catchment was accomplished using low altitude aerial photographs for the years 1964, 1974, and 1986 and field surveys for the periods 1985 through 1992. The results reveal a progressive decline in open water surface area of the impoundments ranging from 70 to 100% due to plant colonization and expansion. Measured impoundment depths along profiles show more than 50% reduction from original depths of 300-400 cm to less than 150-200 cm in 1992. We suggest that vegetation colonization and expansion in the impoundments is a function of the reduction of water depth due to siltation accompanying increasing urbanization. During the period of evaluation, urbanization in the surrounding catchment tripled. Siltation in the impoundments resulted mainly from the accumulation of soil eroded from the upland accompanying devegetation and construction activities. The shallowing of the impoundments by siltation provided a favorable water-depth regime and substrate for colonization by aquatic and emergent wetland vegetation. Continued shallowing resulted in development of vegetation zones along a water-depth gradient, and the migration of these zones toward the interior of the impoundments. The history of degradation of the catchment area and siltation of the impoundments is thus recorded by temporal changes in vegetation

Current status of strawberry (Fragaria spp.) cultivation and marketing in Cameroon

Background: Strawberries are among the most consumed fruits in the world, offering a multitude of health benefits. Their popularity has contributed to their economic value. However, in Cameroon, there is an insufficiency of strawberry yields, resulting in their importation and high market prices. Consequently, strawberries have become a luxury item, out of reach for the average citizen. This study carries out the inventory of the technique of production and marketing of strawberries in Cameroon. Method: In 2021, a survey of one hundred and one strawberry farmers in three regions: the Center, the West, and the South was conducted. The survey collected information on the socio-demographic characteristics of strawberry farmers, cultivation practices, and production. Additionally, we interviewed supermarkets, pastry chefs, and canvassers to gather data on strawberry marketing practices. Results: Male strawberry farmers (83.17%) outnumbered females (16.83%). The majority of farmers (65.35%) practiced mix cropping, especially with tomatoes, while 34.65% focused on monoculture. Back pain and pests were identified as the major constraints. The educational level and age were found to be influential factors in farmers' proposals for improving yields. On average, 1 kg of strawberries in Cameroon costs 10,000 XAF. The main customers are canvassers, supermarkets, and pastry chefs, who prioritize the size of the fruit when making purchases. Conclusion: The number of strawberry farmers is higher in the West region. It takes up to 1,000,000 XAF to initiate cultivation when the area is as from 1000 m2. The high cost of strawberries is due to their scarcity

Perception and adaptation strategies of forest dwellers to climate variability in the tropical rainforest in eastern Cameroon: The case of the inhabitants of the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest

The design of appropriate adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change requires a contextual study of local perceptions due to the non-homogeneity of climate in a given agro-ecological area. The research objective of the current study aims to examine the evolution of climate parameters from 1983 to 2019 linked to the perceptions of local populations and appropriate adaptation measures in the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest of Cameroon. The methodological approach includes collecting and analyze climate data from 1983 to 2019; and surveying existing local perceptions and adaptive strategies among 540 households using semi-structured questionnaires. A significant increase in temperature of about 1 °C over 36 years (1983–2019) and a non-significant decrease in precipitation (95.36 mm) over the same period were observed. Local perceptions related to climate change vary according to the sector of activity and are mainly associated with more heat in the dry season (90%), late onset of rains (84%), drought recurrence (82%), less rainfall during the year (80%), and increase in the duration of drought (80%). For 82–100% of households, according to the activity sector, no appropriate adaptation measures to climate change were applied depending on activities. The adaptation measures used by less than 0–20% of respondents, include mainly the abandonment or change of activity, and modification of the agricultural calendar. With the lack of appropriate and adequate adaptation measures by the riparian populations, this study appears necessary to inform policy-makers of the need to develop and implement more appropriate strategies to enable the riparian people living in forest area of Cameroon to better adapt to these effects of climate changes