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CHAPTER SIX

                                                         CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 6.1 CONCLUSION

Agricultural sector in Cameroon as a whole and Tubah Sub-division in particular is characterized by its poor performance, where as the population of the area which to a large extent depends on agriculture, is growing at a faster rate. This necessitates seeking for a means to increase agricultural productivity of small holders, the dominant producers, which could either be met through the creation and adoption of new technologies or by improving the efficiency of production.

This study used content analysis to analyze data collected on the topic:  Viability of mixed farming system in Tubah Sub-Division, Cameroon. Using detailed survey data collected in 2007 for a sample of 250 individual interviews and four Focus Group Discussions organized two each in the sampled villages. Information on ecology, economic, social viabilities and adaptabilities were obtained.

The results obtained, indicate that mixed farming in Tubah Sub-Division is still operated by small holders farmers. Thus its viability leaves much to be desired because of the substantial increase in population hence the needs of individual farmers. This is explained by the fact that farm incentives are inadequate, inefficiency in methods of production, lack of accessible markets, unstable ecology due to overgrazing, absence of strong state policies to lay down a benchmark for small holder mixed farming in Cameroon, absence of agricultural intensification, limited land to expand cultivation and above all lack of farm inputs and adaptability to new technologies that can enhance food cultivation. All these aspects put together makes the indigenous mixed farming in Tubah sub-division not viable enough to sustain productivity not to talk of raising the living standards of the population.

6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

The shortcomings of mixed farming among small holder farmers in Tubah Sub-division to ensure food sufficiency through out the year cannot be deserted without proposing procedures that can be adapted to resolve the shortcomings. The following recommendations though not exhaustive are put forward and they go ahead to answer the sub research question five in chapter one: What changes could be made to bring improvement on this system of farming for increase sustainability?

Strategies designed to raise the productivity of specific mixed farming systems must consider the stage of development of the target area in relation to incentives, the availability and cost of inputs, and whether or not policies favor mixed farming. No single set of actions is applicable to all situations. Mixed farming systems are an option for increasing agricultural productivity while ensuring environmental safety in the sub-humid eco zones of Cameroon.

Research must develop technologies that maintain effective interactions among crops, fallow and rangelands. Most damage outside the crop land that disturbs the ecological balance is caused by soil erosion as the protective plant cover is removed, grazing can incapacitate plants by preventing seed formation and reducing regenerative ability. Data on the effects of grazing impact on vegetation dynamics and nutrient flow and transfer are needed to design management strategies for sustainable crop and livestock productivity in a mixed farming ecosystem.

Also, agricultural intensification must be considered before population density compels Cameroon to do so, in order to make mixed farming viable hence increase food needs. Intensification can be accelerated through research which should consider socio-economic, natural resource, technical and institutional factors that influence productivity and sustainability. Inability to feed humans and animals adequately throughout the year is the most widespread technical constraint for small holders’ farmers in Tubah Sub-Division.

Concerning land ownership, one tenure policy intervention is land legislation to covert communal tenures to individual tenures. This will help some farmers expand the hectares under production.

Farmers should be encouraged to form community-based small groups or associations that can advocate for their plight at the National level. With these groups put in place, the State as well as International Organizations can make incentives available following their set goals.

Monju Calasanctius Matsiale

Tel: (237)22 17 20 94

E-mail: monjucal@yahoo.com

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