Structure of Vegetables Farming and Farmer’s Perception of Soil and Water Degradation in Two Periurban Areas in Yaounde Cameroon

Abstract

Vegetable farming is an activity sensitive to the dynamism of the population and to the level of intensification in the use of soil resources. A study was conducted in the peri-urban zones of Yaoundé to present the socioeconomic characteristics of vegetable farming and the farmers' perception of soil and water degradation as a result of this activity. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to this purpose in 2016 in two vegetable farming sites in Yaoundé, namely Nkolbisson and Nkolondom III. Results showed that most vegetable farmers from both sites (around 75%) lack training in agriculture while 74 and 90 didn't benefit from training on management of pesticides. Spreading and landfilling of amendments are the two most popular ways of applying fertilizers. In fact, while the majority (35.4%) of these fertilizers is applied at planting time, the minority (4.9%) is applied several months before planting. Besides young plots are more exploited (52.4% and 30%) compared to older ones (2.4% and 5%) in Nkolondom III and Nkolbisson respectively, as they are more responsive to fertilizer application. As consequence, high rates of fertilizers are applied to the oldest farms. As for irrigation water, it is altogether polluted. Base on the above, the farmers' perception of degradation is seen through the degradation of soils properties with time in the order of 14.3% to 60% and 15% to 44% at Nkolbisson and Nkolondom III respectively resulting in a gradual decrease of crop production (up to 50%). It is also seen through the polluted produce obtained from irrigation and cleaning water.

Pyrethroid and Etofenprox Resistance in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii from Vegetable Farms in Yaoundé, Cameroon: Dynamics, Intensity and Molecular Basis

“…Improper use of insecticides in agriculture and public health has been recognized as a major factor leading to the selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, with substantial temporal variations as a function of treatment cycles and seasonality [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Considering the likely selection pressure, which is continuously imposed on the malaria vector populations due to heavy use of insecticides in market gardening areas [32], the observed resistance pattern does not come as a surprise. Indeed, swamps in Yaoundé are subject to urban agriculture permanently operating throughout the year with intensive and improper use of chemical insecticides [24].…”

“…Indeed, swamps in Yaoundé are subject to urban agriculture permanently operating throughout the year with intensive and improper use of chemical insecticides [24]. Previous studies revealed that agricultural pesticides and mainly insecticide applications are commonly utilized in Nkolondom and Nkolbisson, although the farmers do not receive specific training on pesticide management [32]. Indeed, insecticides of different classes, including pyrethroids (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and lambdacyhalothrin), carbamates (carbofuran), organophosphates (Dimethoate, Diazinon, and Pyriforce ® (chlorpyrifos ethyl)), and organochlorines (Endosulfan), are frequently used by farmers to fight against crop pests in vegetable farms in Yaoundé [32].…”

“…Previous studies revealed that agricultural pesticides and mainly insecticide applications are commonly utilized in Nkolondom and Nkolbisson, although the farmers do not receive specific training on pesticide management [32]. Indeed, insecticides of different classes, including pyrethroids (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and lambdacyhalothrin), carbamates (carbofuran), organophosphates (Dimethoate, Diazinon, and Pyriforce ® (chlorpyrifos ethyl)), and organochlorines (Endosulfan), are frequently used by farmers to fight against crop pests in vegetable farms in Yaoundé [32]. In addition, LLINs and other insecticide-based tools are commonly used for malaria prevention and personal protection against mosquito bites in households [33].…”

Farming Practices and Disease Prevalence among Urban Lowland Farmers in Cameroon, Central Africa

“…Yaoundé has an exceptionally dense hydrologic network comprised mainly of the Mfoundi river and its perennial affluent. The soil in the lowlands is hydromorphic with a mixture of fine sand and organic material in decomposition [19].…”

A comparative analysis of agrochemical use among agroforestry and non-agroforestry practicing farmers in South west Cameroon: The examples of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides

“…With this mind-set, they apply all these toxic agricultural chemicals in order to improve crop yields which they can sell and make more money. Studies carried out by some researchers (Manfo et al, 2019;Mfopou et al, 2017;Asanga-Fai et al, 2019;Tarla et al, 2013;Tarla et al, 2014;Yengoh and Ardo, 2014;Tarla et al, 2015;Nkemleke, 2019;Tarla et al, 2020;Yengoh and Ardo, 2014;Tarla et al, 2015;Nkemleke, 2019;Tarla et al, 2020) have generally shown that most of the farmers involved in market gardening, apply a lot of toxic agricultural chemicals in order to improve crop productivity and increase farm income.…”