article · Human Ecology
In Cameroon, low cocoa yields are linked to soil fertility limitations and management choices. A survey across humid forest and forest-savannah transition zones reveals that farmer concern about soil fertility varies geographically, with higher concern in the transition zone. Farmers identify fertile soil primarily by dark soil colour, ease of tillage, floral composition, and high cocoa yields. Although weed residues are used universally, other soil fertility management practices such as tree planting, mineral fertilisers, compost, and manure are less common. Adoption is influenced by input access, local practices, labour availability, and knowledge. Mineral fertiliser use is hindered by lack of access, while labour shortages and limited knowledge constrain tree planting and organic fertiliser use. Farmers prioritised practices aimed directly at raising yields over soil fertility management, highlighting a need for improved input access, better knowledge transfer, and guaranteed returns on investment.
Cocoa production supports rural livelihoods across West and Central Africa, but persistent low yields threaten sustainability and farmer incomes. Understanding how farmers assess soil health and why they choose particular practices helps development agencies and policymakers design effective interventions. Addressing specific barriers such as input access, labour demands, and agronomic knowledge can support sustainable cocoa intensification and improved farm productivity.
This exploratory research provides applied insights for agricultural input suppliers, advisory services, and cocoa supply chain programmes working in Central Africa. By identifying specific bottlenecks to input adoption, such as fertiliser availability and labour constraints for organic alternatives, the findings can inform the design of targeted input distribution schemes and farmer training services. The work is at an early, diagnostic stage, highlighting operational conditions needed before soil fertility interventions can achieve broader commercial uptake.
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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.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10745-020-00190-0
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