187 research outputs found
Learning to select and apply qualitative and participatory methods in natural resource management research: self-critical assessment of research in Cameroon
Biophysical scientists are increasingly interested in undertaking research on natural resources management from a social science perspective. This, however, requires at least a basic understanding of the different social science approaches and the philosophical perspectives underlying them. We present a meta-analysis of a researcherâs experience when applying qualitative and participatory research methods for the first time, and reflect on the challenges and lessons learned that could help other aspiring researchers in conducting research with such methods. We compare researcherâs experiences with a quantitative research tool (household surveys) and qualitative non-participatory (focus group discussions) and participatory tools (seasonal activity calendars and access and control matrices) used in a gender-responsive forestry study in Cameroon. The field research included almost 50 gender- and age-disaggregated group sessions. Based on the meta-analysis of the research process, we identified key factors affecting the perceived ease of eliciting and interpreting information with different types of social research tools: specificity and acceptance of a tool, ease of managing social dynamics and maintaining focus during data collection, and subjectivity and comparability during data analysis and interpretation. Developing skills in participatory research from research design to group facilitation and balanced interpretation of findings require considerable time and is often best learned through apprenticeship. We explore how experience gained through the use of participatory research tools and reflection will help in applying such tools better, improving interaction with research participants and increasing relevance of research results
Shifting Cultivation for Transmigration Projects ?How "primitive" techniques could help to solve development problems in Central Kalimantan Transmigration Areas
ABSTRAK
After outlining the broad objectives and general guidelines of the Directorate General of Transmigration, this report analyses the general evolution of exiling upland Transmigration projects with respect to the generally recommended development strategies.
It appears that due to labour and cash scarcities this development strategy does not permit the assumed objectives to be reached. After observing the manner in which local farmers in Central Kalimantan solved similar problems,lhe author proposes new development strategy more suited to the local conditions.
Key words: Proyek transmigrasi, petani loka
Characterisation of biodiversity in improved rubber agroforests in West-Kalimantan, Indonesia. Real and Potential uses for spontaneous plants
Since the introduction of rubber at the turn of the 20th century smallholders have developed an original complex agroforestry system called jungle rubber in which non selected young rubber trees (seedlings) are managed extensively alongside secondary forest re-growth. The issue of improving smallholder rubber productivity at affordable capital investments and levels of inputs while maintaining the environmental benefits of jungle rubber has been addressed by the Smallholder Rubber Agroforestry Project (SRAP: a joint project run by ICRAF, GAPKINDO and CIRAD). In 1995-1996, 27 trials (with a total of 100 plots) were set up in three provinces in Indonesia to assess the possibility of associating clonal rubber with agroforestry practices under smallholder conditions (Penot, 1997). Two RAS types were selected for this study: RAS n° 1 and n° 3. RAS n° 1 is basically improved jungle rubber using clonal planting material (see a description of RAS types in annexe 1). The rubber trees are in competition with spontaneous vegetation in the inter-row but results show that there are no negative consequences for rubber growth during the immature period. RAS n° 3 was designed for areas infested by Imperata cylindrica, with the establishment of shrubby leguminous cover crops and fast-growing tree species in the inter-rows with the aim of shading out weeds. The other type, RAS n° 2, is based on intercropping clonal rubber with various annual and perennial crops, including fruit and timber trees (Penot et al, 1994). In all cases, RAS have a planting density of 550 clonal rubber trees/ha and a variable number of associated fruit, timber or fast growing shade trees (from 92 to 256/ha). In addition to the RAS experimental plots, âRAS sendiriâ (or âendogenous RASâ) are rubber agroforests improved by farmers without outside assistance. The district of Sanggau in the province of West Kalimantan was identified by SRAP as representative of traditional jungle-rubber-based local farming systems that have developed over the last 90 years. The district of Sanggau is located in the central area of the Kapuas river basin, between 1° N and 0°6' S and 09°8' W and 11°33' E. The district covers 18 302 km2, i.e. 13 % of the province. The trial plots described in this study are located in the villages of Embaong, Engkayu, Kopar, and Trimulia (the last being in the transmigration area). Most soils in the province of West-Kalimantan are acrisoils associated with ferralitic soils. Such soils have relatively good physical characteristics but poor chemical value and become acid. Rubber is widely grown in this area as it can grow in poor soils. The landscape is dominated by logged-over forest, secondary forest and a mosaic of jungle rubber and fallow with secondary forest re-growth. Large scale logging activities took place from 1950s to the 1980s at the expense of primary forest. At present, forested areas are located in hilly or remote areas and are very limited in extent. Oil palm and Acacia mangium plantations developed exponentially in the 1990s increasing the conversion of degraded forest areas into Estates that cultivate perennial crops. The main objective of this study is to assess existing plant biodiversity in RAS systems compared to that of jungle rubber. The second objective is to review the current uses of certain plants and their market potential
Etat des lieux de la filiÚre écorces de Prunus africana : cas des régions du Nord-Ouest et Sud-Ouest du Cameroun
Résumé
Prunus africana autrefois appelĂ© Pygeum africana est une espĂšce endĂ©mique des forĂȘts afro-montagnardes dâAfrique et de Madagascar. Cette espĂšce de haute altitude revĂȘt une importance Ă©conomique, sociale et scientifique pour les populations locales et pour la communautĂ© internationale. Localement, elle est source de bois dâĆuvre (artisanat), de bois de chauffage, de revenus et contribue Ă la pharmacopĂ©e traditionnelle (Hall et al., 2000). Sur le plan scientifique et au niveau international, ses Ă©corces sont utilisĂ©es dans les industries occidentales pour soigner lâhypertrophie bĂ©nigne de la prostate (Tasse, 2006 ; Njamnshi et Ekati, 2008). Le Cameroun abrite une bonne partie de la population de cette espĂšce qui est menacĂ© dâextinction et inscrite en annexe II de la Convention sur le Commerce International des EspĂšces de la Flore et de la Faune (CITES) (Belinga, 2011). Son milieu Ă©cologique se situe gĂ©nĂ©ralement entre 900 et 3000 m dâaltitude notamment les Hautes Terres de lâOuest, le Mont Cameroun, lâAdamaoua, les monts Bakossi sans oublier quelques Ă©chantillons dans la RĂ©gion du Centre. Prunus africana est classĂ© par lâ Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN) comme une espĂšce rare et vulnĂ©rable du fait de la dĂ©gradation continue de son Ă©cosystĂšme liĂ©e Ă la forte pression exercĂ©e sur la ressource et lâapplication des mĂ©thodes de rĂ©colte non durables. Son commerce a Ă©tĂ© rĂ©gulĂ© depuis 1995 par la Convention CITES.
Au Cameroun, lâexploitation de Prunus africana se fait sur la base des quotas attribuĂ©s annuellement par le MinistĂšre des ForĂȘts et de la Faune (MINFOF) aux dĂ©tenteurs de permis dâexploitation. En outre, lâexportation de Prunus africana vers lâOccident implique environ 200 rĂ©colteurs, 6 entreprises nationales et une vingtaine de forĂȘts communautaires dans la RĂ©gion du Nord-Ouest ainsi quâune organisation paysanne spĂ©cialisĂ©e (MOCAP) de la RĂ©gion du Sud Ouest. Une moyenne de 1923 tonnes est exportĂ©e annuellement. Le Cameroun reste le plus grand exportateur mondial des Ă©corces de Prunus africana (38-48% du volume mondial). Toute la filiĂšre au Cameroun a Ă©tĂ© Ă©valuĂ©e Ă 315 millions de FCFA (630 milles 630 thousand) for 646.5 tons in 2007. However, for reasons mentioned above, the European Union (EU) suspended exports from Cameroon in 2007.
This article focuses on several observations on the ground in two regions using repeated socio-economic surveys of the target populations. Despite the conflicts in use, pressures and limited control of the resource, many opportunities such as awareness of regeneration and early inventories now exist to enhance value, good governance and sustained management of Prunus africana in Cameroon. Rational and sustainable exploitation of this resource will make it a good source of income for the people of the producing regions.
Keywords : Cameroon, Prunus Africana, bark, sustainable management
Evaluation of the contribution of NTFPs gathering: to rural peopleâs livelihoods around two timber concessions in Gabon
NTFP are often presented as bringing a major contribution to rural livelihoods in terms of food and cash, and this particularly for rural communities. Few data are available in Gabon to confirm this common assertion. An annual monitoring of 127 households was conducted in 14 villages around two timber concessions in the south-east and south-west regions of Gabon. Conventional socioâeconomic survey tools such as focus group discussions, census and semi-structured interviews of households were used in gathering data during one year. Results reveal that rural people depend on various sources of livelihoods for food and income generation, but overall, the current contributions of vegetal NTFPs are insignificant compared to other activities. Odika (Irvingiagabonensis), atanga sauvage (Dacryodes buettneri), fungus (Termitomyces spp) and ânutâ (Coula edulis) represent the main forest products that are commonly harvested by rural people, primarily for subsistence purposes while the surplus is sold. Although some efforts were made to promote the NTFP sector in the country, the results of this study suggest that: (1) the main components of the decree No.137/PR/MEFP of February 4, 2009, that prohibited the logging of five multiple use tree species over a period of 25 years should be reconsidered for revision; (2) the State authorities and partners should promote projects aiming at increasing the knowledge of the NTFP sector. These projects should contribute to the census of NTFP (for food, medicine and services), characterize their uses, the market chains of target products, and the development potential of NTFP. Such projects may help Gabon and other Congo Basin countries to fix norms/standards for a sustainable natural resource management and for enhancing their contribution to the national economy. This will be particularly relevant in the light of dwindling oil revenues and the need to diversify and promote other revenue sources in the country
Aquaculture system diversity and sustainable development : fish farms and their representation
Initiatives for the sustainable development of aquaculture have so far focused on the production of codes of conduct, of best management practices, of standards etc., most of which have been developed by international organisations, the industrial sector and non governmental organisations. They were, to a large extent, produced using a "top down" process and inspired by models from intensive industrial shrimp and sea fish farming (mainly salmon). However, most of global aquaculture production comes from small-and medium-sized farms, essentially in Asia which contributes 92% of the total world aquaculture production volume. The objective of this article is to define the contours of systemic typologies that are able to express the sustainability conditions of aquaculture systems. The proposed approach builds on surveys of aquaculture systems which differ in terms of their biogeographical nature (temperate/tropical and north/south countries) or their farming techniques and their governance systems. This work is a prerequisite to any attempt at an individualised and comparative evaluation of specific aquaculture systems from either global or territorial viewpoints. In order to go beyond the cleavage of a typology based on the differentiation between developed and developing countries, three typologies were produced. These typologies allow for discriminatory variables to be identified such as for example the marketing methods or the pace of innovation: a structural typology, a functional typology and a systemic typology. Finally, the representations of aquaculture activity and of its sustainability that producers have of the 4 different types that emerge from the systemic typology were recorded and analyzed
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