Abstract

The research work titled, “Climate variability and it impacts on emerging and re-emerging pest and diseases on agro-pastoral products in Ndu sub-division”. The mean objective is to examine the variability of climate in Ndu sub-division and its implication on emerging and re-emerging agro-pastoral diseases. The study was carry out using a multi stage sampling technique. This technique was use to select respondents (agro-pastoral farmers) for the study. This was a farm based descriptive cross sectional study. A bottom up approach which seeks to gain insight from the agro-pastoral farmers themselves based on the survey. From the results, averagely, no maize is badly affected in the sub division. Respondents of about 20-30% attest that white maize is moderately affected by delayed rains. Yellow maize is less affected in the lower altitude. Leaf eating caterpillars such as spodopterapp (Noctuidae) and marasmiatopezatis (Pyralidae) often attack maize. Analysis of farmers’ perception show that mondial species of potatoes is badly affected like in Taku, Ntudip and Sehn with a 60% acceptance. Also, 65% of the farmers alleged that spunter is badly affected in areas like Kife, Njimkeng an Mbraseh. Recommendation states that although there are different ways through which cattle farmers have adapted themselves with the fluctuating climate and disease in Ndu, pest and diseases still threaten the production pattern. It is highly recommended that the local farmer should turn to sustainable practices such as the no till agriculture, crop rotation, use of organic manure while avoiding soil burning with bush clearers using fire and control cutting down of forest for agriculture.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Over the years, climatic conditions in many parts of the world have been characterized by increasing fluctuations with severe implications on human activities, especially agriculture. Such effects are very pronounced in developing countries which dominantly practice rain fed peasant agriculture. Yet, agriculture constitutes the backbone of these countries especially the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa given that besides ensuring the sustainability of rural livelihoods, it is also a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Amawa et al., 2013). These less resilient and vulnerable agricultural populations continue to bear the brunt of climate variability and change. Reducing soil moisture and atmospheric humidity are among the most devastating effects of climate variability and change and this has succeeded to disrupt food crop output (including market garden cops), thus signaling threats to food security (Odingo, 2008).

Agro-pastoral farming is carried out all year round. It entails the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals which are consumed and or transformed with time. In Cameroon, agro-pastoral farming is practiced on the Bamboutos Highlands, the slopes of Mount Cameroon, the Mungo and Benue Depressions, the Foumbot plains and the Bamenda Highlands, including Ndu Sub-Division. The principal crops and animals include beans, maize, Irish potatoes, goat and cattle rearing with ample precipitation conditions (Jalo, 2008, Amawaet al., 2013). If Cameroon maintains its position as the “bread basket” of the Central African Sub – Region today, one of the areas to be credited for this is the Ndu Sub- Division. This is because the food produced in Ndu Sub-Division especially maize, beans, goats and cattle which are not only consumed in the North West Region and other parts of Cameroon, but far beyond to other countries (Alangeh, 2013).

Among the sectors that have borne the greatest brunt of these climatic variations and change is perhaps the agro-pastoral sector. Variation in climatic elements especially rainfall pattern, temperature and relative humidity have significantly affected agro-pastoral sector in particular especially on the Ndu highlands of Cameroon which enjoys a relatively temperate, sub-climatic conditions amidst the broad tropical climatic system. It is an agricultural practice on relatively smaller farm sizes characterized by very little application of inputs like chemicals, fertilizers, and the use of genetically modified seedlings and hybrids to increase production especially during the dry season when variability in climatic conditions is high (Amawa et al., 2013).

1.2 Problem Statement

Ndu sub division contributes in no small measure to food security in the Central African Sub Region and Nigeria. The agro-pastoral sector is a very important farming type in Ndu as it is the major livelihood activity of the people in terms of the income, employment and sustenance if offers. Apart from grappling with the conventional pre and post-harvest problems which plague the agricultural sector, observed variability in climate has added to the scenario. Variations in temperature and rainfall on a seasonal and annual basis for a 34-year period (1981 to 2014) have affected crops and animals (maize, beans,Irish potatoes, goat and cattle). However, it should be noted that the effects of these variations vary with respective crops and animals indicating both direct and inverse relationships. The inability of the people to master and cope with variability in climate has been a major setback to current and future agro-pastoral sector in Ndu Sub- Division.

The caprices of weather and climate have over the years greatly affected the production of food and animals which are major live sustainer in Ndu sub Division. While maize, beans, Irish potatoes, goats and cattle farmers in Ndu have over the years sought to grapple with conventional pre and post-harvest challenges facing the sector like shortage of technical expertise’s, shortage of improve seedlings and hybrids of animals, transportation problems, marketing and other infrastructural problem, theyare now face with more precarious situation of changes in the climatic element which affects food crops and livestock (Kengmensiet al., 2013).

Variation in rainfall, temperature, sunshine and humidity affects the germination, growth and the emergence of diseases on crops and animals. The changing weather tends to confuse farmers, rearers, crops and the animal as well. Farmers find it difficult to know when exactly to plant, weed and apply fertilizers to their crops to prevent diseases on beans, maize, Irish, potatoes, goats andcattle. The farmers face an alteration in their normal climatic inputs which alters their cycle of production. This has an implication on the coping strategies, crop and animal production, demand and supply within and out ofNdu-sub division as well as on the livelihood of the agro-pastoral farmers. Based on this problem, the research has the following research questions;

What is the cause of climatic variation and change in Ndu?

What is the manifestation of climate variability and change in Ndu?

What is the impact of this variability and change on the emergence and re-emergence of agro-pastoral diseases in Ndu?

1.3 Objective of the research

1.3.1 Main objective

This study has as main objective to examine the variability of climate inNdu subdivision and its implications on emergence and re-emergence of agro-pastoral diseases.

1.3.2 Specific objectives

1. To assess the trends of climatic variations over the years in Ndu.
2. To evaluate the impact of climatic oscillations on emerging and re-emerging agro-pastoral diseases in Ndu.
3. To discuss the various indigenous adaptations in agro-pastoral sector.
4. To suggest possible adaptation measures in an emerging climatic oscillation.