CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The issue of food security continues to attract wide attention among food policy researchers and those of international development. Contemporary literature on food security has focused on the rural areas, but the current context of rapid urbanization and rising urban poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa that has led to food insecurity warrants the attention of researchers and policy makers.

Ibrahim et al. (2009), affirms that urban areas are faced with the problem of increasing population and consequently inadequate supply of food items. In the years 2011- 2013, an estimated 842 million people were suffering from chronic hunger; the United Nations (UN) recognized the right to food in the Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and has since noted that it is vital for the enjoyment of all other rights. The Food and Agricultural Organization in 2012 estimated that global population is expected to reach over 9 billion by 2050 and as such, there is a continuous need to increase food production and buffer stocks (FAO, 2008).

The conceptualization of food security goals by Koc et al. (1999) however goes beyond the adequacy of food quantity and quality and extends to the four ‘A’s (availability, accessibility, acceptability and adequacy).

Availability connotes the physical presence (supply) of food in large amounts; accessibility addresses the demand for the food and suggests sufficient purchasing power or ability to acquire quality food at all time. Hence food should be accessible to all equally. Acceptability addresses foods cultural and symbolic value that the food available with respect to individuals’ cultural traditions. Adequacy is usually defined in terms of the long-term sustainability of food systems (FAO, 2008).

Each of the key aspects of food security can be analysed in the context of the urban environment as the population grows due to different factors of urban migration. The most visible effect of urban expansion in Buea is discernible in the peri-urban areas, especially in areas like Small soppo, Muea, Bokwai, Bomaka which have witnessed rapid population growth.

Food security incorporates a measure of resilience to future disruption or unavailability of critical food supply due to various risk factors, some of which are uncontrolled and rapid urbanization, poor farm to market roads, loss of land for residential purposes, traditional farming techniques and rapid changing food habits which characterize Buea (Jonathan et al. 2011).

The world population is becoming increasingly urbanized. In 1950, 30% of the world population lived in urban areas; by 2002, that figure had increased to 47%,in Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 34% of the population currently live in urban areas; by 2020 it was predicted that nearly half (46.2%) of the population will be urban (UN-Habitat, 2011).

With an urban growth rate of 5% per annum, it is expected that over 300 million new residents will be added to urban areas in the subcontinent between 2000 and 2030 (Kessides 2005). Such a high growth rate raises questions about urban household food security resilience.

Cameroon has witnessed a rapid and uncontrolled urban growth, especially at the peri-urban fringes. Between 1976 and 2006, the urbanization rate grew between 28.5% and 65.4% (Balgah 2007). With a constant rise in food prices, and no corresponding increase in income, urban dwellers are obliged to record a high household dependency ratio (MINPAT, 2009).

In response, households in Buea have developed resilience techniques to cope with the rising food prices, loss of farms and low income to survive within the urban and semi- urban Buea. The situation is more challenging among the poor whose purchasing power has consistently been eroded by falling real wages, inflation and the rising cost of living despite attempts by the government to increase minimum wages (Bronhilda 2012).

Urban dwellers and households are generally net food buyers who rely on their income for food security, spend a large proportion of household budget on food, and have little access to other safety nets like agriculture or land to ensure food access at all times (NIS, 2016). Households in the urban areas were therefore generally deemed to be economically well- off, well-fed and more aware of nutritional issues.

Xuemei (2012) who has explored the crucial linkages between urbanization and food security, argues that urbanization leads to land use conversion from agricultural land to urban land use, such as for infrastructure, industrial, residential or commercial uses. Such land use conversion often reduces the most fertile land, and therefore the impact on agricultural production and food security is often larger than the absolute amount of land involved.

In Buea and its peri-urban areas the conversion of fertile land for urban land use is preoccupying. Urban land use conversion is often driven by economic factors, with positive feedback loops between urban land use expansion and economic growth in the city, as well as in the region.

Urban areas land use changes have not only impacted on food security but have equally resulted in the expansion of the consumption pattern of the middle class (Hester et al. 2007). It is important to note that there is a strong link between farming and increasing urbanization. Even the small farmers have a great part to play in the provision of food and if they are cut off from this chain it will lead to more poverty for the farmers.

Satterthwaite et al. (2011) discussed the influences on food and farming of an increasingly urbanized world and a declining ratio of food producers to food consumers. The three fundamental components of food security, that is availability, access and utilization, differ in urban and rural contexts and across urban socio-economic groups.

A greater diversity of both local and imported food products is available in cities although, most of the food is not produced within city boundaries. Similarly, much of the available food is processed either locally or imported in a processed form (FAO, 2008). To cater to busy urban lifestyles, cities offer access to a wide variety of food prepared outside the home, including street food and food served in restaurants and kiosks.

Access to food in urban areas is dependent on cash exchange, with few exceptions, where urban food production contributes directly to the household intake. Dependence on purchased food is a leading factor in household food insecurity of poor urban populations who lack a fixed income. Although a wider variety of food is available, the food consumed in urban areas is not necessarily of superior nutritional quality and food safety is a growing concern in many urban environments (National Institute of Statistics (NIS), 2012 and 2016).

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Agriculture is a significant sector in the Cameroon economy as it is the backbone of its economy. Food crop farming in Buea has gained its popularity as it has been a staple food for citizens in the region as well as source of employment to most of the people. However, the farmers in the region do not benefit as much as it would be expected of them.

Some of the factors such as climate change, exploitation by middlemen, high cost of input and low price of food crop products in the market have hindered food crop farmers from keeping up with the practice.

The country government and the national government at large do not benefit as most of the farmers are quitting from food crop farming. Food security is presently challenged by rapidly growing and unplanned residential areas with serious ecological consequences, especially loss of farm lands which is needed to feed the ever-growing population of the Buea subdivision.       Hence,   this research is aimed at investigating the problems that affects food crop production in the Buea subdivision and how it affects or influences household livelihood and economic development.

1.3 Research Question

1. During what period do farmer’s prefer to sow their seeds?
2. What climatic conditions have been experienced lately different from previous conditions that have made it difficult for farmers to produce food crops?
3. What is the cost of inputs required for the farmers of food crop in Buea and how much is the cost of these food crops?
4. How has the production of food crops increased household livelihood and economic development in the Buea municipality?
5. What are the consequences of over-cultivation?
6. What is the importance of agriculture in Buea?

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