Tropicultura (Jan 2016)
Contraintes socio-économiques de répartition des terres et impacts sur la conservation des sols dans les hauts plateaux de l'Ouest du Cameroun
Abstract
Socio-economic Constraints of Land Distribution and Impacts on Soil Conservation in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. This article combines the data of a social survey on access to land and those regarding the adoption of tied ridging as soil conservation technique to help better understanding the management of erosion and runoff by farmers in the Western Highlands of Cameroon, specifically in the hills of Fongo-Tongo villages' group. The study focused on 230 plots owned by 157 respondents among 158 people inventoried. Five main modes of access to land were listed as: inheritance, purchase, temporary transfers, donations and rental. The owners and operators of the hills with gentle slopes (between 11% and 17%) and of steep slopes (between 22% and 29%) were inventoried. Two main social ranks were identified: the dignitaries (Chiefs, Notables, Elites, and Heirs) and other (Non-heirs son, and Women). The study showed that the agronomic abilities of plots as recognized by farmers are a key factor in the implementation of soil conservation techniques. The peasant approach of soil fertility has been scientifically proven by physicochemical analysis of soil samples taken under indicator plant species (Pennisetum spp on fertile soils, and Imperata cylindrica and Melinis minutiflora on poor soils). The study showed that access to land, adoption of tied ridging, and cultivation on the slopes were significantly influenced by socio- economic status of farmers (p<0.05).
