Farmers’ Perceptions as a Driver of Agricultural Practices: Understanding Soil Fertility Management Practices in Cocoa Agroforestry Systems in Cameroon

Abstract

In Africa, cocoa yields are low, partly due to soil fertility constraints and poor management. While peoples’ knowledge, aspirations, and abilities are key factors explaining their behaviour, little is known about the rationales that underpin soil fertility management practices (SFMPs) of cocoa farmers. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory survey in two contrasting regions in Cameroon where cocoa is an important crop: the humid forest and the forest-savannah transition zone. Some 30% of farmers in the transition zone as opposed to 13% in the humid forest expressed concerns about soil fertility. The most relevant soil fertility indicators for farmers were high cocoa yield, dark soil colour, ease of tillage, and floral composition. To enhance and maintain soil fertility, farmers used residues from weeding (100%), planting of trees (42%), mineral fertilisers (33%), compost (16%), and manure (13%). More farmers in the transition zone than the humid forest implemented SFMPs. Our findings suggest that soil fertility perceptions, access to inputs, local practices, and experience influence farmers’ use of SFMPs. The limited use of mineral fertilisers was explained by poor access whereas the use of organic fertilisers and tree planting were mostly constrained by lack of labour and knowledge. Farmers prioritised practices to increase yield and viewed SFMPs to be the least important management practices, although they believe high cocoa yield is an important indicator of soil fertility. To foster sustainable cocoa intensification, it is necessary to enhance farmers’ knowledge on SFMPs, increase access to inputs, and ensure returns on investment while considering farmers’ priorities and practices.

A Systematic Review of Drivers and Constraints on Agricultural Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Kebede, Baudron [58] found that the loss of soil fertility, and the subsequent negative impact on yields, combined with a need to sustain food production by the national level policy makers, is an important driver of agricultural expansion in the southern parts of Ethiopia. A similar mechanism has been documented in Cameroon, where a decline in soil fertility results in falling cocoa yields, leading farmers to expand their cocoa farms into the forest to maintain production and farm revenues [69]. In this latter case, however, the immediate imperative is income from a cash crop rather than food production.…”

Soil Quality Index in Cocoa Crops

“…The level of nutrition is determined by the presence of major and minor elements required by the plant at each season and phenology of the tree. Therefore, how farmers manage the fertilization, depends on what they know of the soil quality conditions, which is reflected in the quantity and the quality of fruits produced by each plant per year; a basic aspect to be competitive in the subsector [10].…”

Agriculture and Soil Management in the Context of Sustainable Development in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon

“…Similarly, the decrease in agricultural yields is a direct result of soil fertility loss (Schlecht et al, 2006). In the same vein, Kenfack Essougong et al (2020) state that the reduction in vegetation cover and loss of biodiversity are attributable to excessive soil exploitation, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation, and other factors contributing to degradation and increased erosion. Furthermore, our sampled producers claim that deforestation, driven by human actions to expand agricultural lands and pastures, is responsible for the reduction in vegetation cover and soil biodiversity (Bado & Bationo, 2018;Azare et al, 2020).…”