Limites du systeme de collecte du maïs comme vivrier marchand dans les hauts plateaux de l'Ouest Cameroun

Limits of the system of maize collection developed by traders in West Cameroon plateau . In the Western high plateau region of Cameroon, maize is a cash crop but the farmers do not understand the marketing system giving way to middlemen traders to benefit from the disorganisation of the maize trade to exploit the relationship between the farme rs and the market. This paper seeks to know whether maize trade through middlemen can help peasant farmers to adequately fight against poverty. Findings show that in spite of adequate maize production the trade through middlemen presents limitations. The middlemen attend only the periodic markets and those one located in accessible places. They buy maize in small quantities at very low prices and stock in small relay centres for short periods of time. These centres therefore function simply loading maize and cannot serve as veritable poles of economic development. Such are the handicaps in the commercialisation of maize which cannot contribute to the development of maize farming with attendant improvements to the living conditions of the farmers

Reaction des bororos face a l'occupation des pâturages du Mont Mbapit par les agriculteurs (Ouest Cameroun)

Mount Mbapit (1988m) had since been exploited by Bororo rearers. Being a volcanic mountain it is however characterised by fertile soils that are suitable for arable agricultural. In recent years arable farmers have encroached into hitherto pasture lands for food crop cultivation. This has orchestrated conflicts between the arable farmers and the breeders over land. This asserted rush for space is susceptible to put an end to cattle rearing on the mountain, provoking reactions from Bororo. Information derived from satellite photographs and field work depicts the conquest of space by arable farmers and new space organisation on the mountain by the different stakeholders. Food crop cultivation and market gardening destined principally for sales have replaced transhumant cattle rearing. It is also observed that the mode of life of the Bororo pastoralists has changed from nomadic to sedentary life style as they have also taken to arable agriculture. The former Bororo camps made of houses constructed with makeshift materials have of late been replaced by permanent houses surrounded by enclosed farms. Consequently, the rearing of cattle has been relegated to the steep mountain slopes. The rush for land for arable and pastoral farming on these mountain slopes adjoining densely populated villages obscure other activities such as tourism and culture that could be developed. This study analyses this conflicting situation and explains the adaptations by the solution taken by the subjugated pastoralists

Effets de l’onde d’insécurité sur les activités touristiques d’une région située à l’abri des attentats terroristes : Mogodé et ses environs dans l’Extrême-Nord (Cameroun)

The Far-North Region of Cameroon is an important destination for tourists. As of recent, tourism has been a major source of income for a majority of the population before being hit by an atmosphere of insecurity that reigns in the region, which has paralyzed the tourist sector. The effects of this wave of insecurity have felt on the economic activities of the plains of the area, frequently hit by the attacks of Boko Haram, hence there is need to investigate the situation of Mogodé, a pole of attraction for tourists located on an altitude thus sheltered from terrorist incursions.To carry out this study, a serie of surveys were carried out on the populations, tourists, and personnel involved in the management of touristic infrastructure. The results revealed that Mogodé has a wide range of touristic potentials that have contributed to the development of the touristic activities in the area and its neighbourhoods. Today, the touristic site is no longer frequently visited by tourists; touristic infrastructures and equipments are almost abandoned, or slowed down. Evidence has shown that despite the vantage sheltered position from repeated attacks by the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists, one observes that there has been a drastic decline of touristic activities in Mogodé and the region. This confirms the prospective theory of Kahneman D and TverskyA (1979) which states that hazards are the fundamental factors that orientate tourists in decision making

Effets de l’onde d’insécurité sur les activités touristiques d’une région située à l’abri des attentats terroristes : Mogodé et ses environs dans l’Extrême-Nord (Cameroun)

The Far-North Region of Cameroon is an important destination for tourists. As of recent, tourism has been a major source of income for a majority of the population before being hit by an atmosphere of insecurity that reigns in the region, which has paralyzed the tourist sector. The effects of this wave of insecurity have felt on the economic activities of the plains of the area, frequently hit by the attacks of Boko Haram, hence there is need to investigate the situation of Mogodé, a pole of attraction for tourists located on an altitude thus sheltered from terrorist incursions.To carry out this study, a serie of surveys were carried out on the populations, tourists, and personnel involved in the management of touristic infrastructure. The results revealed that Mogodé has a wide range of touristic potentials that have contributed to the development of the touristic activities in the area and its neighbourhoods. Today, the touristic site is no longer frequently visited by tourists; touristic infrastructures and equipments are almost abandoned, or slowed down. Evidence has shown that despite the vantage sheltered position from repeated attacks by the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists, one observes that there has been a drastic decline of touristic activities in Mogodé and the region. This confirms the prospective theory of Kahneman D and TverskyA (1979) which states that hazards are the fundamental factors that orientate tourists in decision making

Risques économico-environnementaux liés aux emballages traditionnels pour vivres frais utilisés dans le bassin maraîcher de Foumbot (Cameroun)

Le bassin maraîcher de Foumbot dispose de par son dynamisme agricole, de l’un des principaux centres de collecte des vivres frais des hautes terres de l’ouest Cameroun. Au début des années 1990, le monde rural des hautes terres de l’ouest s’est caractérisé par une reconversion des caféiculteurs dans le maraîchage et le vivrier. Ainsi, le développement fulgurant du vivrier marchand et particulièrement de la filière maraîchère à l’intérieur de ce bassin s’est accompagné de l’adoption des modèles traditionnels d’emballages. Le choix porté sur les emballages traditionnels pour la collecte, le conditionnement et la distribution des vivres frais vise la maximisation des bénéfices et l’offre des produits de qualité à une clientèle diversifiée, nombreuse et exigeante. Cette option innovante a eu comme double avantage : sa disponibilité permanente grâce à la multitude des forêts de raphia et des forêts-galerie, mais aussi son coût relativement abordable pour les maraîchers. Cependant, face à la diversité des vivres frais, à l’accroissement des volumes des produits collectés et à la qualité des emballages traditionnels utilisés, les impacts économiques et environnementaux constituent désormais des préoccupations centrales auxquelles des solutions durables sont indéniables. Dès lors, le choix des emballages pour chaque type de vivre frais, le reboisement des espèces endémiques prélevées des raphiales et des forêts-galerie, la vente directe de même que le chargement par échafaudage se confirment comme des stratégies pertinentes dans la perspective de la durabilité de la filière « vivres frais ».The Foumbot agricultural region is become, due to his agricultural dynamism, one of the most important market garden centers of the western region of Cameroon. The rapid development of this region at the end of 1990’s has been accompanied by the adoption of a traditional packaging model. The choice concerning the packaging in Foumbot region presents two advantages. First the permanent availability due to the abundance of row materials collected in raffia forests/forests-gallery and, secondly, an affordable prices for farmers. However, considering the diversity of market garden produces within the region, the increasing volumes of produced collected and the quality of traditional packing, economical and environmental issues of traditional packing are become the majors concerns which need sustainable alternatives. The strategy consisting of adapting products to specific traditional packing, the afforestation process of endemic species such as raffia and other raw materials from forest-gallery, the direct selling without intermediaries and in the same way the scaffolding piles should be therefore confirmed as relevant strategies dealing with the sustainability of market garden distribution

Risques économico-environnementaux liés aux emballages traditionnels pour vivres frais utilisés dans le bassin maraîcher de Foumbot (Cameroun)

The Foumbot agricultural region is become, due to his agricultural dynamism, one of the most important market garden centers of the western region of Cameroon. The rapid development of this region at the end of 1990’s has been accompanied by the adoption of a traditional packaging model. The choice concerning the packaging in Foumbot region presents two advantages. First the permanent availability due to the abundance of row materials collected in raffia forests/forests-gallery and, secondly, an affordable prices for farmers. However, considering the diversity of market garden produces within the region, the increasing volumes of produced collected and the quality of traditional packing, economical and environmental issues of traditional packing are become the majors concerns which need sustainable alternatives. The strategy consisting of adapting products to specific traditional packing, the afforestation process of endemic species such as raffia and other raw materials from forest-gallery, the direct selling without intermediaries and in the same way the scaffolding piles should be therefore confirmed as relevant strategies dealing with the sustainability of market garden distribution