Research Article
Indigenous Food Crop Protection Methods and Their Implications for Food Security in Rural Cameroon
Norah Aziamin Asongu*
,
Paschal Kum Awah
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
104-112
Received:
30 June 2026
Accepted:
15 July 2026
Published:
28 July 2026
Abstract: Food insecurity poses a serious problem in most rural communities in Africa where the majority of the population relies on subsistence agriculture as their primary means of sustenance. Preventing crop loss and failure is crucial for ensuring food security in rural areas of Cameroon. This can be accomplished through the use of high-cost risky pesticides and insecticides increasingly being used for food crop protection in rural Cameroon. However, a more reliable approach is to rely on low-risk and cost-effective indigenous methods which offer crop protection strategies suitable for the farmers. The preferred choice of most farmers in rural Cameroon is the use of various types of traps (animal, human, spiritual), deterrents such as wood ash. This qualitative study examines the various indigenous techniques employed by farmers in one community in rural Cameroon to safeguard their food crops. Our findings suggests that despite the increase in the use of pesticides and insecticides, the farmers still suffer from pests and crop loss. Given the effectiveness of indigenous practices in protecting and preventing crop loss and crop failure, there is a growing need to document, validate, and possibly integrate them with contemporary agricultural science and technology to ensure their long-term viability and continued contribution to food security in rural Cameroon.
Abstract: Food insecurity poses a serious problem in most rural communities in Africa where the majority of the population relies on subsistence agriculture as their primary means of sustenance. Preventing crop loss and failure is crucial for ensuring food security in rural areas of Cameroon. This can be accomplished through the use of high-cost risky pestic...
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Research Article
Exploration of Mitigation Strategy in the Resolution of Human-wildlife Conflict in Bakossi National Park, Southwest Region, Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
113-122
Received:
24 June 2026
Accepted:
6 July 2026
Published:
10 August 2026
Abstract: Bakossi national park is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to a rich array of wildlife species. However, the park has also been the site of ongoing human-wildlife conflicts (HWC), as the expansion of agricultural activities and human settlements has encroached into wildlife habitats and corridors. These conflicts have led to crop damage, livestock depredation, and even human injuries and fatalities, posing significant challenges for both local communities and conservation efforts. This study aimed to explore the mitigation strategies employed to address HWC within and around the national park, and to assess their effectiveness in resolving these conflicts. Research data collection was done by questionnaire administration in all the 36 villages within and around the national park. HWC mitigation strategies revealed a significant association on the local knowledge of conflict mitigation r=0.267 P=0.005, local community involvement in the mitigation program X2=3.463 df=3 P<0.05, and the role played by local community in mitigating the conflict X2=3.323 df=6 P<0.05 respectively. HWC is a significant global issue, with local communities often bearing the brunt of interactions between humans and wildlife. Also, there was a significant relation between conflict mitigation strategy and the role of stakeholders in resolving the conflict X2=14.880 df=9 P<0.05. Furthermore, human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategy associated significantly with the occupation of local community inhabitants in the conflict resolution X2=5.309 df=3 P<0.05. Additionally, conflict mitigation strategy significantly related with the role played by gender in the resolution program X2=10.871 df=3 P=0.012. Gender plays a significant role in shaping the experiences, perspectives, and roles of individuals within local communities when it comes to mitigating HWC. While some of these strategies have shown promising results in reducing HWC incidents, their overall effectiveness was found to be hindered by various contextual factors, such as resource constraints, limited community engagement, and weak institutional coordination. The research concludes with recommendations for a more holistic, integrated approach to HWC management, emphasizing the importance of community participation, cross-sectorial collaboration, and adaptive management strategies. By leveraging this evidence-based understanding of effective mitigation approaches, policymakers and practitioners can work towards more equitable and ecologically viable solutions to HWC in Cameroon and beyond.
Abstract: Bakossi national park is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to a rich array of wildlife species. However, the park has also been the site of ongoing human-wildlife conflicts (HWC), as the expansion of agricultural activities and human settlements has encroached into wildlife habitats and corridors. These conflicts have led to crop damage, livestoc...
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Research Article
Impacts of Livestock Improvement Projects on the Subjective Well-Being of Agro-Pastoral Households in Kenya's Lower Eastern Arid and Semi-Arid Lands
Caroline Nzisa Ndunda,
Elizabeth Mumbi Ndunda,
Stephen Wanyonyi Luketero,
Mark Ndunda Mutinda*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
123-142
Received:
20 July 2026
Accepted:
30 July 2026
Published:
2 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijnrem.20261103.13
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Abstract: Livestock production remains the primary source of livelihood in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya’s lower eastern region. Despite sustained investments by governments and non-governmental organizations, the economic returns from livestock development projects have remained modest, and poverty levels persist. This study evaluated the impact of a Livestock Improvement Project (LIP) on the subjective wellbeing of agro-pastoral households in Mwala Sub-County, Machakos County. Specifically, the study assessed household subjective wellbeing and examined its contributions to livestock performance, access to agricultural credit, capacity building in livestock management, and participation in collective action. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect household information using a structured questionnaire. A sample of 285 households was selected through stratified random sampling from 1,100 project beneficiaries organized into 45 farmer groups. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 95% confidence level (p ≤ 0.05). Household subjective wellbeing was relatively high (M = 7.3, SD = 1.2) on a 10-point scale (1=low and 10 high). Regression results indicated that subjective wellbeing was positively and significantly influenced by livestock performance (β = 0.944, p < 0.001), access to agricultural credit (β = 0.748, p < 0.001), capacity building (β = 0.878, p < 0.001), and participation in collective action (β = 0.834, p < 0.001). The study concludes that the LIP had a positive impact on household wellbeing and recommends that future livestock interventions in ASALs integrate capacity building, access to credit, and collective action to enhance sustainable livelihood outcomes. The study contributes to livestock development literature by applying the subjective wellbeing perspective to project impact evaluation.
Abstract: Livestock production remains the primary source of livelihood in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya’s lower eastern region. Despite sustained investments by governments and non-governmental organizations, the economic returns from livestock development projects have remained modest, and poverty levels persist. This study evaluated the im...
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