Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the influence of agriculture production on socio economic development of Wum. The data for this study was obtain from both primary and secondary source field result reveals that agricultural production has a great influence on socio economic development in Wum through education, employment health income generation and housing. finding also revealed that the agricultural production in Wum still suffer many drawbacks which needs to be improved upon. Agricultural production comes about with some negative impacts that need to be address. If these problems are addressed, agricultural production will be improved on, there by leading to an increase in rat o social and economic development in Wum.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of Study

Agriculture refers to the growing of crops and the tending of livestock either for the subsistence of the producer or for sale. Agriculture also includes farming which is the cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals (Buchan, 1983). Agriculture is by far the most important of the world’s economic activity. It uses about 1/3 of the total land surface and employs about 55% of the working population, in the mid-1990s (Bunyui, 2001). It employs about 2/3 of the world’s population which has agriculture as their main activity especially practice of agricultural production in rural areas to increase the level of their socio-economic development.

1.1 Agricultural Production In The World

As the world’s population increase, so does the demand for food increases which explains why there is an improvement in agricultural production to meet up with the rising population and also to increase the level of socio-economic development. The improvement of agricultural productivity to meet the increasing world population was archived through the Green revolution. The Green revolution has affected agricultural production in all parts of the world. Much of the work involved in the Green revolution took place under the auspices of the food and agricultural organization of the United Nations (FAO, 1992).

1.1.1 Agricultural Production In Africa

In Africa, agriculture employs more than half of the working population. Agricultural production is an important activity in Africa since it is the main economic activity in most of the areas    of Western and Central African Region and the incidence of total poverty is linked to the structure and performance of agriculture and agricultural production (International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD, 2001). According to the World Bank report (1979), agriculture is the main economic activity of millions of people particularly, in rural areas of the developing countries which includes Africa. Despite this, productivity is still lagging behind those of the African continent. Due to the lagging behind of agricultural, productivity; there is s creep in the socio-economic development in the continent.

1.1.2 Agricultural Production In Cameroon 

Agriculture is the main stay of Cameroonians economy. About 75% of the active population is involved in agricultural production which account for 50% of the total exports. The agricultural production sector is the engine of Cameroon’s economy so much that even women are strongly engage in it. This can be seen in women in agricultural production and food security in rural Cameroon (Tambi et al, 2015). Cameroon has varied type of crops due to the different types of soils and climatic conditions in the country. Agricultural production in Cameroon has influenced the socio-economic development of the country through the improvement of healthy infrastructural development and the living standard of the population.

In the agricultural production sector, the country exports cash crops such as cocoa, coffee and banana. This has brought a lot of revenue to country which has increased the socio-economic development of the nation. Though agricultural production especially cash crops has increased the socio-economic development of the country, Cameroon still suffers from poor agricultural production techniques and method of production due to the high level of illiteracy from farmers, limited capital, land tenure system and traditional beliefs. This has reduced the level of productivity thereby slowing the socio-economic development of the country.

1.1.3 Agricultural Production In Wum

In Wum, nearly 70% of the population is engaged in agricultural production either for home consumption or for commercial purposes. The main crops and animal species produced here include maize, cocoyam, beans, cassava, plantains, potatoes and yam. The animals include cows, pigs, goats, fowls and horses. The production of these crops have encouraged socio-economic development in the area as they serve as food, source of income infrastructural development through the creation of roads, stores and even markets. It has also encouraged trade amongst neighboring villages and Wum. Some these villages include Weh, Esu. Bu, Benakuma, Befang, Benkas and even Bamenda town.

Agricultural production in Wum still faces problems such as lack of capital to expand farm size, poor farming techniques to increase productivity and high level of illiteracy among the Wum farmer. This has affected agricultural productivity negatively since the quality and quantity of production is low. Therefore, much has to be done to improve and increase agricultural production in Wum in other to increase the socio-economic development of the area.

 

1.2 Statement Of Problem

Agricultural production in Wum has been an important practice in the community since it served as an important means of survival and a source of livelihood especially in provision of nutrition, health and also income generation (social and economic development). It has been noticed that over the years, there have been no significant change in the total agricultural production in Wum despite the fact that the environment is rich physically. The soil and vegetation are over exploited by the inhabitants. The heavy reliance of the Wum people on the land for agricultural practices as well as other human activities like development (construction) for settlement has put the soil at high demand and as such limiting the land for agricultural production.

Poor farming techniques for agricultural production like the slash and burn (angary) bush burning and over grazing has let to soil degradation. The in adequate support of the government and non-governmental organization (NGO’s) to sensitive the Wum population on modern farming techniques and methods has limited agricultural production in Wum.

 

1.3 Research Question

1.3.1 Main Research Question

What is the influence of agricultural production on socio-economic development in Wum?

1.3.2 Specific Question

1. What are the socio-economic development components that are depended on agricultural production and their state?
2. What are the challenges involved in the agricultural production in Wum?
3. What can be done to mitigate problems faced in agricultural production in wum?

 

1.4 Research Objective

1.4.1 Main Objective

To examine the influence of the agricultural production on socio-economic development in Wum.

1.4.2 Specific Objective

1. To characterize the agricultural production in Wum.
2. To analyze the impact of agricultural production on socio-economic development in Wum.
3. To propose solutions to mitigate the negative influence of agricultural production on socio-economic development in Wum.