Trees, agroforestry and multifunctional agriculture in Cameroon

Asaah, Ebenezar K., Tchoundjeu, Zacharie, Leakey, Roger R.B., Takousting, Bertin, Njong, James, and Edang, Innocent (2011) Trees, agroforestry and multifunctional agriculture in Cameroon. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 9 (1). pp. 110-119.

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Abstract

Modern agriculture has deprived local communities in the tropics of their natural life-support system—the forest resource and the traditional knowledge about indigenous species—and this has not been replaced by employment opportunities or social services. This project in the west and northwest regions of Cameroon takes an innovative three-step approach to improving the lives of local people by establishing rural resource centres (RRCs) to: (i) Rehabilitate degraded land and promote food security through the use of nitrogen-fixing trees to restore crop yields and then the diversification of the farming system with new crops; (ii) Create income generation opportunities from village tree nurseries and the domestication of indigenous fruits and nuts for local and regional trade. Income is rising annually and currently averages $150, $16,000 and $21,000 per RRC after 2, 5 and 10 years, respectively; (iii) Encourage the processing and marketing of food crops and tree products in order to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for community members. Income is currently $2400 per enterprise. The project's philosophy is one of helping smallholder farming communities to help themselves: first to become self-sufficient and economically independent, and then to be a hub for the dissemination of knowledge and skills to neighbouring communities.

Item ID: 19976
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1747-762X
Keywords: agroforestry; agroforestry tree products; impact; livelihoods; multifunctional agriculture; participatory domestication; rural resource centre
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2012 00:28
FoR Codes: 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0705 Forestry Sciences > 070507 Tree Improvement (Selection and Breeding) @ 50%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0604 Genetics > 060411 Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960805 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity at Regional or Larger Scales @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920199 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) not elsewhere classified @ 50%
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