Abstract

Cameroon is among the leading cocoa producers in Africa. Cocoa is grown mainly in the coastal zone, the Centre, South and East regions in the country. About 50% of Cameroon’s cocoa beans come from the South West, 35% from the Centre and 15% from the South East Regions. Out of the total cultivated area in the South West Region, about 40% comes from Meme Division, 11% from Fako Division, 14% from Kupe Muanenguba and 25% from Manyu Division. This research was carried out in July 2020 with the main objective of giving us an overview on the impacts of the socio-political instability on cocoa production in the Southwest region precisely in Muyuka sub-division in four selected villages (Malende, Yoke, Owe, and Muyenge). This research made use of observation, questionnaires and interviews. The results obtained showed that some farms have been burnt; many farms have been abandoned and the income from the sale of cocoa by farmers have dropped from 4,462,500 FCFA in 2016 to 2,331,000 FCFA in 2020 due to political crisis. There the null hypothesis which states that socio political crisis have no impacts on cocoa production in Muyuka sub-division was rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis which states that socio-political crisis have impacts on  cocoa production in Muyuka sub -division.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

 

The cocoa bean or simply cocoa is the dry and fully fermented seed of theobrama cocoa from which cocoa solids and cocoa butter can be extracted. Cocoa bean are used to manufacture chocolate and Mesoamerica foods. Cocoa was first developed as a crop in many ancient cultures with the Aztecs and Mayans being the most well-known of these indigenous population. Cocoa was introduced into West Africa by the European. Cocoa was introduced into Ghana by a Ghanaian called Tetteh Quarshie (Wikipedia CC BY-SA.30).

Cocoa production is mostly carried out in Ghana, Ivorycoast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ecuador and Mexico. With Cote d’ivoire, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria and Cameroon being the top five producers of cocoa. Cocoa production was introduced in the coastal zone of Cameroon since 1892 from South America. Cameroonian cocoa belt represents about 37% of total cultivated soil of the country. With about 180.000tons, Cameroon is among the leading cocoa producers in Africa. Cocoa is grown mainly in the coastal zone, the Centre, South and East regions in the country. The coastal zone which is the most important cocoa production area in Cameroon, extends from the area around mount Cameroon to kribi.  About 50% of Cameroon’s cocoa beans come from the South West, 35% from the Centre and 15% from the South East Regions (CAMACO, 2010).

Out of the total cultivated area in the South West Region, about 40% comes from Meme Division, 11% from Fako Division, 14% from Kupe Muanenguba and 25% from Manyu Division (Delegation of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2007). Results from a survey carried out by Gockowski and Mva Mva (2001) showed that production systems in the Southwest were higher yielding and more intensively cropped relative to the other regions. The mean yield per ha of productive cocoa in the  Southwest (446 kg/ha) was roughly twice as great as the other regions. Cocoa season runs from  August to July with peak harvest from October to January/February, then, a light crop harvest  from April/May to June/July. Cocoa is commonly intercropped with coffee, maize,  plantain/banana, oil palm, cassava, pineapple, aroids and citrus fruits. The attitude of cocoa producing areas is generally below 400m except in areas around mount Cameroon where  altititudes are a bit higher. The second most important area covers the Centre, South and Eastern  regions. The attitude ranges between 500m and 850m. The mean temperature is around 25°C and the mean annual rainfall between 1500mm and 2000mm. The two major climatic variables which  are important in determining cocoa growth are temperature and rainfall (ICCO, 2011).

Cocoa generally requires high temperatures with a maximum annual average of 30-32°C and a  minimum average of 18-21°C. Average daily maximum temperature exceeding 33.5°C should  not be more than 1 month. Variations in the yield of cocoa trees from year to year are affected  more by rainfall than by any other climatic factor. An annual rainfall level of between 1500mm  and 2000mm which is well distributed is good for cocoa production. Dry spells where rainfall is  less than 100mm per month should not exceed three months (ICCO, 2011). Apart from these  natural factors, other factors such as capital, labour, cocoa prices and the number of years of  farming (experience) are very essential in determining cocoa production. All these determinants  have, over the years, influenced the production of cocoa.  Between 2003 and 2007, the cocoa sector contributed about 0.89% to 1.45% of Cameroon’s  gross domestic product and accounted for between 5 to 9.6% of annual total export revenues.

Annual production in Cameroon grew from 120,619 tons in 2000 to 225,000 tons in 2013.  In Cameroon, about 65% of cocoa exports comes from the southwest region precisely the divisions of Meme, Ndian, Lebialem, Manyu, Fako and also the littoral region.In this research, we will study Muyuka which is a sub division under Fako division. About 40% of the population of Muyuka is comprehensively occupied with the production of cocoa which seems to be the main source of farmer’s income and cocoa production serve as a form of livelihood because most farmers who are specialized only in cocoa production depend on cocoa financially for their living. And this has helped farmers to live in better conditions for a very long time. But from the year 2016, there has been political instability in the country predominantly in the South West and North West regions and in towns like Muyuka, Kumba, Ekona and many others. This has caused a huge demise to cocoa production in this areas. That is why this research is out to highlight the impacts of the crisis on cocoa farmers.

1.2 Problem Statement

Cocoa has predominantly been the main cash crop produced by the population of Muyuka and this cocoa is mostly affected by pest and diseases such as witch’s broom and black pod. The increasing climate change and use of bad agro chemicals have served as a big problem in recent years. But since 2016, the cause of about 90% decline in cocoa production in Muyuka has been due to the political instability which had led to a massive exodus from Muyuka. This has led to increased poverty because farms and homes have been destroyed. The massive exodus has been from the youthful population who have ran away due to the high rate of insecurity. The few old people left behind suffer from hunger as there is little or  nothing to harvest from the burnt farms and also due to their poor health.

The socio political crisis in Muyuka Sub-division has posed a problem in the transportation of cocoa from farms to markets and buyers from out of the town no longer come there to buy. So this cocoa products are left in farms and they get bad because there is no one to harvest and transport them. Due to the fact that most of the population depends on cocoa production for their livelihood, its decline in output has led to a great drop in farmers income, standard of living, development and increased poverty.

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1 Main research Question

What are the impacts of the socio-political crisis on cocoa production in Muyuka?

1.3.2 Specific Questions.

1. How has the political instability led to a drop in cocoa production in the southwest region (Muyuka).
2. What are farmers predictions about the future of cocoa production and the output if the crisis is not resolved.
3. What measures have farmers taken to improve or continue production not withstanding the instability in the region?
4. What measures have the Government taken to assist cocoa farmers amidst the crisis faced in the region?

1.4 Objectives

1.4.1 Main Objectives:

This study is aimed at giving us an overview on the impacts of the socio-political instability on cocoa production in the Southwest region precisely in Muyuka sub-division.

1.4.2 Specific objectives.

1. To investigate the degree of insecurity on cocoa production.
2. To evaluate the difficulties faced by cocoa farmers in Muyuka sub division during this period of crisis.
3. To analyze the measures taken by the Government and farmers co-operatives to subsidize the effects faced by cocoa farmers in Muyuka sub division during the crisis.
4. To evaluate the outcome of cocoa production if the socio political crisis is not resolved.

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H1. The socio political crisis have impacts on cocoa production in Muyuka sub-division.

H0. The socio political crisis have no impacts on cocoa production in Muyuka sub -division.