The world is changing. Desertification, climate change, non-sustainable agricultural and environmental practices like bush fires are leading to decrease in biological diversity and the appearance of invasive species. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out in the 13 villages of Ndop, Ngoketunjia Division, Cameroon, to explore the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local people in Ngoketunjia Division; to raise awareness among the local community about the protection of native fodder/forage flora; and to propose guidelines for proper utilization, management and conservation of useful plants and the landscape, contributing in improving on the livelihood of the rural and urban population. Regular field trips were made and data were collected using Show and Tell Semistructured Interviews employing a checklist of questions, guided field walks, discussions and direct field observations. The plant inventory of 151 species belonging to 105 genera and 44 families was constructed, including their common/vernacular name, life form, part used, animal, threats and availability of these plants. The leaves of these species were the most commonly used plant parts. Plants were collected, identified, preserved, mounted and voucher specimens were deposited at the National Herbarium and the University of Dschang Herbaria for future references.
The diversification of crops and trees in cocoa agroforestry plays a major role in ecosystem goods and services. This study investigated the effects of crop diversification in a cocoa agroforestry farms. The study is aimed at identifying crops, crops preference and profitability in a cocoa agroforestry. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaires and field observations. A sample size of 118 respondents was identified for the study. Forty (40) farmers each were interviewed in Matoh and Bole while 38 farmers interviewed in Njombe Mbonge. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21. Descriptive statistics were used and Chi square (X2) Goodness-of–fit test was performed to check for association at . Results showed that 65 % of farmers had farm sizes between 2-5 hectares with majority of the farmers being males (72.8 %). The major crops farmers diversified in cocoa agroforestry were plantain, cocoyam, cassava, maize, bush mango, bitter cola and Njangsang. The preferences for cultivation of these crops were mainly for food, income and shades. All respondents (100%) cultivated cocoa for income (X2 cal=113.5, x2tab=7.81). NTFPs were cultivated mainly for income with 61.0 %, for Njangsang (X2 cal=25.1, x2tab=7.81), 37.3 % for Bitter cola (X2cal=17.8, x2tab=7.81) and 47.5 % For Bush mango (X2cal=28.5, x2tab=7.81). An average net farm income (NFI) of 187699.8 FCFA and 238252.9 FCFA was obtained per hectare just for cocoa only and cocoa + diversified crops respectively. A net profit margin of 0.49 and 0.54 were obtained for cocoa only and cocoa + diversified crops respectively. This study recommends that diversifying cocoa with crops and some economic trees will yield better income and improved biodiversity.
Land clearing for plantation and settlement establishment has been a prominent driving force for forest ecosystem destruction. This study aimed at evaluating the status, challenges and mitigation strategies of the selected NTFPs produced and Mark¹eted in the study site. This study was carried out in the municipality of Mundemba South West Region Cameroon. Data were collected with the used of open and close ended questionnaires, key informants interviews and field observations. The questionnaires were divided into IV sections. Section I socio-demographic characteristics, section II on the status of the different NTFPs produced and marketed section III on the challenges and section IV on mitigation strategies. Data were subjected to descriptive analyses and were treated using statistical software program IBM SPSS statistics. Chi square Pearson test was used to determine the association. Results showed that 59.00 percent were men while 41.00 percent were women. Based on the IUCN red list categories, 6 of the NTFPs were noticed as least concerned, 4 of the NTFP species are near threatened, while none of the species were noticed to be extinct. The main challenge for production was limited land with 51.00 percent while the least challenge of limited knowledge for production was noticed to 2% and was not significantly different(x2cal = 0.593, x2 table value=0.917). The main challenge for marketing was reported as insecurity with 39 % while the least was failure of buyers to keep to time with 8.00 percent and was significantly different (X2cal= 1.052,x2 table value =0.958). The government strategies for mitigating challenges of production and marketing (x2cal =2.988, x2cal =0.224) was significantly different. The major mitigation of road construction had a percentage of 83.00 percent, while the least noticed for mitigations production and marketing was provision of farm inputs with a percentage of 6 %. Therefore, proper management will definitely lead to improve production and marketing of NTFPs.
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