affects the generation, dissemination and utilization of forest–agriculture innovations (see Chap. 3, Vol. 2).
Considering the above, this study aims at understanding what traditional knowledge is mobilized (and how) in the highly biodiverse forest–agriculture systems of
Centre–South Cameroon, and how it can contribute to the development of integrated
policy and technology options, and innovations to manage effectively complex
forest–agricultural systems in a way that meets local needs and reflects local
views. The study is anchored on global policy commitments such as the SDGs
(and particularly SDGs 1, 2, 8 and 15 as discussed above) and the current calls for
trans-disciplinarity and knowledge integration as advocated by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), including its African
Assessment (Diaz et al. 2015; Diaw et al. 2018) (Chap. 9, Vol. 2).
Section 10.2 outlines the study site, and data collection and analysis approaches.
Section 10.3 highlights the main results in terms of (a) human–nature relationships
(Sect. 10.3.1); (b) traditional knowledge about forest use, soil fertility and agrodiversity management (Sect. 10.3.2); (c) desirable plant characteristics for household
consumption and selling (Sect. 10.3.3); (d) pest and disease management approaches
for major crops (Sect. 10.3.4) and (e) social demand and supply of forest–agriculture
innovations (Sect. 10.3.5). Section 10.4 puts the main findings into perspective and
offers policy and practice recommendations in the context of the SDGs.
10.2 Methodology
10.2.1 Study Site
The study is conducted in three blocks (Yaoundé, Mbalmayo and Ebolowa) within
the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon (Fig. 10.1). The blocks follow a
gradient of natural resource use management intensification and population density.
The intensity of resource use is inversely defined by the length of the fallow period,
and it increases from Yaoundé block (3.9 years), to Mbalmayo block (5.4 years) to
Ebolowa block (7.5 years). The population density decreases from Yaoundé (30–90
people/km
2 ), to the Mbamayo block (10–30 people/km
2 ) and the Ebolowa block
(<10 people/km
2 ) (Gockowski et al. 2005). There is much variation between blocks
for key socio-economic variables (Mala 2009), with market access being average in
the Ebolowa and Yaounde blocks, and average-to-good in the Mbalmayo block.
The study area is characterized by equatorial climate, with a bimodal rainfall
pattern (1350–1900 mm per annum) (see Chap. 9, Vol. 1). Rainfall increases from
the northwest to the southeast. Climate-related hazards such as droughts and heavy
rains, affect water availability and humidity extremes, which in turn affects the
outbreak of fungal/bacterial diseases and insect pests (see below), and essentially
shapes local farming strategies and land management (Manyong et al. 1996;
Gockowski et al. 2004).
10 Forest–Agriculture in the Centre–South Region of Cameroon: How Does. . .
321
Considering the above, this study aims at understanding what traditional knowledge is mobilized (and how) in the highly biodiverse forest–agriculture systems of
Centre–South Cameroon, and how it can contribute to the development of integrated
policy and technology options, and innovations to manage effectively complex
forest–agricultural systems in a way that meets local needs and reflects local
views. The study is anchored on global policy commitments such as the SDGs
(and particularly SDGs 1, 2, 8 and 15 as discussed above) and the current calls for
trans-disciplinarity and knowledge integration as advocated by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), including its African
Assessment (Diaz et al. 2015; Diaw et al. 2018) (Chap. 9, Vol. 2).
Section 10.2 outlines the study site, and data collection and analysis approaches.
Section 10.3 highlights the main results in terms of (a) human–nature relationships
(Sect. 10.3.1); (b) traditional knowledge about forest use, soil fertility and agrodiversity management (Sect. 10.3.2); (c) desirable plant characteristics for household
consumption and selling (Sect. 10.3.3); (d) pest and disease management approaches
for major crops (Sect. 10.3.4) and (e) social demand and supply of forest–agriculture
innovations (Sect. 10.3.5). Section 10.4 puts the main findings into perspective and
offers policy and practice recommendations in the context of the SDGs.
10.2 Methodology
10.2.1 Study Site
The study is conducted in three blocks (Yaoundé, Mbalmayo and Ebolowa) within
the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon (Fig. 10.1). The blocks follow a
gradient of natural resource use management intensification and population density.
The intensity of resource use is inversely defined by the length of the fallow period,
and it increases from Yaoundé block (3.9 years), to Mbalmayo block (5.4 years) to
Ebolowa block (7.5 years). The population density decreases from Yaoundé (30–90
people/km
2 ), to the Mbamayo block (10–30 people/km
2 ) and the Ebolowa block
(<10 people/km
2 ) (Gockowski et al. 2005). There is much variation between blocks
for key socio-economic variables (Mala 2009), with market access being average in
the Ebolowa and Yaounde blocks, and average-to-good in the Mbalmayo block.
The study area is characterized by equatorial climate, with a bimodal rainfall
pattern (1350–1900 mm per annum) (see Chap. 9, Vol. 1). Rainfall increases from
the northwest to the southeast. Climate-related hazards such as droughts and heavy
rains, affect water availability and humidity extremes, which in turn affects the
outbreak of fungal/bacterial diseases and insect pests (see below), and essentially
shapes local farming strategies and land management (Manyong et al. 1996;
Gockowski et al. 2004).
10 Forest–Agriculture in the Centre–South Region of Cameroon: How Does. . .
321