notes on educational disciplines

 

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION OF DATA COLLECTED

---

 

4.1 INTRODUCTION

 

This chapter tackles the presentation of data collected. This is to say all the data collected from the field through the methods mentioned in chapter three will be presented here. At this stage therefore, we are going to present this data in response to our research questions.

 

4.2 RESEARCH QUESTION ONE:

 HOW SOUND IS THE ECOLOGY OF THE MIXED FARMING SYSTEMS?

 

It has been proven through research that if the ecology of a farming system is sound, the farming system could be sustainable. To find out this in relation to our farming system understudy, we worked with three parameters: Farm inputs, methods of farming employed, Types of crops and animals reared.

 

4.2.1 FARM INPUTS

 

Farm inputs play a significant role in maintaining the balance that exists between nutrients in the soil, plant and animals in an agro-ecological environment.

 

Technically, following our findings, the majority of small holders’ farmers still use undeveloped tools in cultivating the fields; these tools include among others hoes, cutlasses, axes and animal traction. Even those who were discovered using animal traction (see image 01), still use hoes to mulch the soil, cutlasses to clear the bushes and axes to cut trees in areas unsuitable for animals.

 

Chemically, we learned that many farmers do not use chemical fertilizer on their plants because it is expensive. Those who may afford the money to buy are unable to follow the instructions on how to employ or put it on the farms. Paradoxically, they complain that after using fertilizer their crops do not do well. Organic manure which can be afforded through the construction of compost is understood by few farmers who sometimes do not construct it. As a substitute, animal dung are transported in small quantities from night pens and spread on the farms before mulching.

 

4.2.2 METHODS OF FARMING

 

The mixed farming system is characterized by different methods of cultivating the soils. Following our findings we saw that slash and burn, ankara, furrowing along the slopes, bush fallowing and domestic livestock rearing are the main methods practiced by the population in study.

 

 

4.2.2.1 Slash and burn

 

Slash and burn refers to a situation where farmers clear or do not clear the bushes on the plot to be cultivated, set fire on it. This is common during January and February which are cultivating periods in this region. Most of the farmers were of the opinion that they do so because it has been a traditional way of disposing bushes. What the farmers do not notice is the imbalance they create on the agro-ecological environment which may decrease yields. One respondent said:

Sometimes the planting season is fast approaching and we have not finished preparing all the plots for planting. The plots that we are unable to finish on time, we burn it because it is the easiest way to keep the grass away. Mr. James Che aged 43, Bambui Village, 2008.

 

4.2.2.2 “Ankara”

 

This is a local appellation by farmers referring to a method of cultivation where the bushes are cleared, gathered in heaps, a greater part of it covered with soil and fire is introduced on the grass beneath the soil. The grass and the soil burn for three days or more and allowed to cool and then soil is added at the corners of ridge. The middle of the ridge is allowed exposed with the ash that is left after soil and grass has been burnt. The ridge is therefore ready for planting. According to one farmer:

 This is a traditional method of cultivation that helps to enhance the fertility of the soil. Crops planted on it do well in the first and sometimes second planting seasons. At the third planting season the yields drop. Mr. Peter Angafor aged 38, Bambili Village, 2008

 

4.2.2.3 Furrowing along the slopes

 

This is a method where the contours are placed along the slopes instead of across the slopes. This method is common in areas where the slopes are steep and the farmers find it unable to stand and build the contours. With the absence of large tractors to cut terraces they are forced to place the contours along the slopes. The artificial gullies created between the ridges serve as a passage for rain water where all their soil nutrients will be washed and deposited on the farms found on the plains.  One farmer complained:

I do not understand why my crops could not do well while my neighbor’s crops placed just below the hills were performing well. Lowain Martha aged 39, Kedjom Ketinguh Village, 2008

 

What this farmer failed to understand was the fact that the soil nutrients on her plot were washed by water and deposited on her neighbor’s farm plot.

 

4.2.2.4 Bush Fallowing

 

This is a farming method where a plot which has been cultivated over some years is abandoned for a certain period of time, say three, five or even ten years. The abandoned period is known as fallow period. This method is common with the intensive system of mixed farming employed by small households in Tubah Sub division. According to the farmers, this method is employed when the plot in question does not produce the required yield. The fallow period varies depending on the farmer in question. As cropped areas expand fallow periods shorten progressively. Short fallows do not allow regeneration of soil fertility, produce little fuel wood and are poor grazing resources in this region. Today, most farmers avoid fallowing because of the scarcity of land. As an alternative, they manure the plots by paddocking animals or transport manure from night pens.

  

4.3.3 TYPES OF ANIMALS REARED AND CROPS CULTIVATED:

4.3.3.1 Types of animals reared

 

In the Tubah Sub-division like elsewhere in Cameroon, small holders’ farmers do not extensively rear livestock. Instead, a majority keep small domestic animals such as goats, sheep, pigs and birds. The sheep, goats and pigs are tethered on the field during the day to feed meanwhile at night; they are kept in night pens. The birds (Chickens, ducks etc) walk and feed around the compound during the day and at night they are either put into the kitchen or locked up in night pens.

 

  

Nevertheless, a few farmers and some Fulanis keep few cattle. The farmers and the Fulani cattle rearers enter into a sub-method of farming known as paddocking. Here farmers construct fences on their plots; the Fulanis keep their cattle in them for a period of say one to two months. The cattle dropping left on the plot is a useful organic manure to increase soil fertility and boost yields. Farmers who have employed such a method confessed that yields are usually high on such plots.

 

The system of integrating crops and animals in this region is far from what is done in the Western World. Animals and crops seldom share the fields nor do the farmers cultivate fodder solely for the animals. Animals are allowed to graze on the fields far from the farms during the day and at night; they are locked up in bamboo constructed fences

 

4.3.3.2 Types of crops cultivated

 

A variety of crops are cultivated in this region. These crops are mostly cultivated on the same plot. According to information gathered, the following crops are cultivated in this region: 

 

 

 

Table 4.1: Some of the categories and crops cultivated in Tubah Sub Division 

Category	Crops
Leaf	Cabbage, lettuce, bitter leaf, huckleberry (njamanjama),
Stem	Celery, peers, plantains, parsley, banana, mangoes, oranges
Fruits	Egg plant, cucumber, Pepper, Okra, pumpkin, tomatoes
Seed	Beans, corn, peas,  groundnuts, Soya – beans
Tuber	Potatoes, Cassava, yams
Bulb	Garlic, leaks, onions and shallots
Roots	Beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes
Cash crop	Arabica coffee

 

The above mentioned crops are intercropped on the same piece of plot especially during the planting season (See images 06, 07). Though the different plants compete for nutrients from the soil, the yield is sometimes substantial.

 

4.3 RESEARCH QUESTION TWO:

IS THE MIXED FARMING SYSTEM ECONOMICALLY VIABLE?

 

A faming system is considered to be economically viable if farmers can produce enough for self sufficiency and/or income and gain sufficient returns to warrant the labor costs involved.

 

4.3.1 ACQUISITION OF LABOR AND COST

 

Mechanization of production in most small holders’ farms in Africa is lacking or absent, Tubah Sub-division is not an exception. Even animal traction which was introduced during the early 80s has been partly abandoned because of insufficient financial sources to procure the animals and associated equipments. Farmers cover distances working everyday to cultivate the farms with crude tools such as hoes, cutlasses and axes. Those who own many plots and can afford for money, pay for laborers to cultivate the remaining plots. The cost of cultivating a plot is not quite evident in evaluating. Nonetheless, some farmers reported that they usually pay according to the number of ridges build, while others pay according to the square meters as agreed with the laborer in question. 

 

According to one farmer,

I own six plots, two around my compound and four some or five kilometers from here. My wife and I are usually unable to complete all the six plots before the planting season so we are forced to pay people to cultivate. If we do not complete payment in cash, we complete it after harvesting. We have many plots because we have six children, three in secondary school and the others in primary school. The sales from the farm will help us pay their school fees. David Atanga aged 40, Focus group discussion (FGD), Bambui Village, 2008.   

 

This case brings out the situation of most farmers in the Tubah Sub Division. They depend on farm produce to pay for labor. Excess that is sold is used by the household to meet it various needs.

 

4.3.2 FOOD SUFFICIENCY

 

Generally, food sufficiency means producing enough food that can be enough for a population over a given time frame. What we witnessed on the field was that most of the small holders’ farmers were running what is known as subsistence farming. That is, they produce just enough for the stomach and if there was excess, they sell and buy household provisions.

           

One respondent said:

I do not own large farms because I do not have the means to do so. Sometimes my food provision gets finished and I am forced to live on the goodwill of friends and family members to feed my four children living with me. Mama Ngum aged 38, Interview, Kedjom Ketinguh Village, 2008

 

From the interview, one will conclude that food sufficiency seems to be a problem among smallholders’ farmers in Tubah Sub-Division.

 

4.4 RESEARCH QUESTION THREE:

IS THE MIXED FARMING SOCIALLY JUST TO TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

 

In order to respond to this question, we worked with the following considerations; acquisition of plot/land, availability of markets (market outlet), work organization and technical assistance.

 

4.3.1 ACQUISITION OF PLOT/LAND

 

Farmers brought out different ways of acquiring plot or land on which they work. These ways are: Hereditary, renting, buying or begging. Like any other complex society, the issue of land ownership in the Tubah region has become complicated. The land is not commonly owned as was the case thus limiting their right to land use.

 

One woman during our group discussion said:

I begged the plot that I am working on from my in-law. Those who do not have such an opportunity buy or rent a plot for farming. Ngunifor aged 36, FGD with women in Bambui village, 2008.

4.3.2 AVAILABILITY OF MARKETS (MARKET OUTLET)

 

As earlier mentioned, most of the food produced by small holders’ farmers is primary for subsistence, only excess is taken to the market. With the persistence economic crises in Cameroon, some of these farmers have started producing for the market. In Kedjom Ketinguh village, we noticed that farmers have formed groups specialized in the farming of vegetables (njamanjama) which is highly requested by consumers in big towns like Bamenda, Yaounde, Douala and even beyond. More to the point, they also produce potatoes, lettuce, onion, leaks just to mention this few for the market.

 

The village, possess at least a village market (see images 08, 09) that is held once a week usually on ‘Traditional Sundays’ where people can go and buy and distract themselves. The farming of the above mentioned products is on-going, that is through out the year. This is because of the high demand for vegetables in the cities. Buyers popularly known as ‘buyam sellam’ in pidgin, comb the villages throughout the week for farm products for the cities.

 

4.3.3 WORK ORGANIZATION

 

The social justness of the mixed farming system can only be verified if we find out how the farmers are organized to work. This is so because if work is poorly organized the system will not be viable to sustain the livelihood of the population.

 

First and foremost, among the small household farmers, we discerned that every member of the household has a role to play. The men for example clear the fields, the children fetch wood and water and assist their mothers in making ridges, planting and weeding. The men, children and women all join in harvesting.

 

Equally, we were made to comprehend that every now and then, women like men form groups or associations whose members move from each member’s farm to the next, cultivate, plant, weed and harvest. This makes the work lighter and individual households can be motivated to cultivate large plots.

 

4.3.4 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

 

Technical assistance to farmers is absent or inadequate in Cameroon and this is not immunity to the farmers of Tubah Sub-Division. Farmers told us that technical assistance during the early 80s was somehow promising. The state signed agreements with foreign partners and PAFSAT (Progressive Assistance for Sustainable Agricultural Techniques) was introduced to help farmers with animal traction, better methods of farming and improved seeds. Some twenty years ago, the organization seized to exist and left farmers to their own mercy. Today, conversely, some National (IRAD) as well International (Heifer International) Non Governmental Organizations are very promising; they assist farmers with improved seeds especially maize and cassavas which are staples and the donation of milk producing cattle to some farmers.

 

4.4 RESEARCH QUESTION FOUR:

IS THE MIXED FARMING SYSTEM ADAPTABLE?

 

In order to answer this question, we set up factors which permitted us to find out if the small household farmers are capable of adjusting to the constantly changing conditions for farming. These are: population growth, social and cultural innovations.

 

4.4.1 Population growth

 

Maintaining a farming system requires a minimum labor force especially in the case of small household farmers who practice mixed farming with crude farm tools. From our research findings, Tubah sub-division is a region characterized by not so dense a population. But then, this population especially the youthful one has been attracted to the cities by a variety of social amenities. The majority who remain in the village are the elderly people and children. The reduction in the labour force reduces farming activities especially in such a farming system master minded by small household farmers.

  

One informant told us that: 

All our children who have come of age now live in the city with their juniors. I and my husband are the only ones living in our compound. This explains why we do not have many farm plots. Ma Frida Mondoh aged 43, FGD with women in Kedjom Ketinguh, 2008.

 

The informant tries to show that the reduction in her household force has forced them to limit the number of plots they farm.

 

4.4.2 Social and cultural innovations

 

With out depending on mechanization or chemical fertilizers and pesticides, farmers in Tubah Sub-division have been able to maintain their farming system over the years. From field work conducted, we discovered that socially, households come together in groups to help cultivate and plant and occasionally harvest individual household farm products.

 

Culturally, some if not all have maintained their traditional species of plant seed which are resistant to pest. Equally, traditional methods of farming such as “ankara” are still widely common because they believe it enhances soil fertility.

 

We have presented our data collected during field work in this chapter under the main research questions raised at the prelude chapter. At the moment, we are going to proceed with chapter five which focuses on discussions and results of findings.

 

 

All rights reserved by Monju Calasanctius Matsiale

Tel: (237)22 17 20 94

E-mail: monjucal@yahoo.com

 

If you find this article interesting, consider making a donation