Farmers’ Perceptions of Soil Fertility Status in the Savannah Zone of Centre Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract:In Cameroon, most farmers rely on their perceptions for fertility evaluation and choice of agricultural land units. However, because of environmental change, this knowledge is mostly disregarded. The use of farmers' knowledge is important for the identification of relevant information for the choice of agricultural land units. The objective of this study was to compare farmers' perceptions of soil fertility with a conventional scientific approach in two locations of the forest margin zone of Center Cameroon. Through interviews and soil analysis, this study spelled and weighed the relationships between farmers' perceptions and soil fertility status. One hundred and twenty households' heads were interviewed and 30 soil samples collected. Farmers' perceptions were used to assess the topsoil fertility status across the studied areas, while a conventional scientific approach was used to quantify soil fertility status by the means of a soil fertility index (SFI). Results showed that farmers, for soil differentiation, used color, texture, depth, drainage and vegetation. Soil' names delivered key messages for their location. Although the low overall SFI approximated by the conventional approach, farmers' perceptions could differentiate fertility levels between soils. This knowledge is relevant for the design of technical innovations in perceived fertility niches.