ABSTRACT

Agriculture is a critical sector for economic development in many developing countries, including Cameroon (Ndenecho, 2010). In Buea Municipality, a significant portion of the population relies on agriculture as a primary source of livelihood (Tambi et al., 2018). However, the productivity of this sector has been constrained by various socio-economic factors. These constraints can include limited access to land and insecure land tenure, inadequate access to financial resources and credit, lack of infrastructure, insufficient support from agricultural extension services, high costs of agricultural inputs, and an aging farming population with limited youth engagement in agriculture (Molua, 2014; Kah & Tando, 2020). The impact of these socio-economic constraints on agricultural production can be significant, leading to lower yields, reduced profitability, and overall economic challenges for the region (Ndenecho, 2010; Tambi et al., 2018). Understanding and addressing these constraints is crucial for improving agricultural productivity and contributing to the sustainable development of Buea Municipality.

The main objective of this study is to identify and analyze the socio-economic constraints that impact agricultural production in Buea Municipality.

A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. A random sample of 150 farmers in Buea Municipality was surveyed, and 20 key informant interviews were conducted with agricultural extension officers, community leaders, and policymakers.Also information has been taken from secondary sources like text books, published article, newspapers and journals

The study found that the key socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea Municipality include:. Limited access to land and insecure land tenure,  Inadequate access to financial resources and credit ,Lack of infrastructure, storage, Insufficient support from agricultural extension services, high costs of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and seeds

These socio-economic constraints have had a significant negative impact on the productivity and profitability of agricultural activities in the municipality.

Based on the findings, the study recommends the following interventions to address the socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea Municipality: Implement land tenure reforms to improve access to and security of land for farmers, Increase access to financial services, such as agricultural loans and insurance, for smallholder farmers, Invest in agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks, Strengthen agricultural extension services and provide targeted training and support to farmers, Subsidize agricultural inputs to reduce the costs for smallholder farmers, Promote youth engagement in agriculture through educational programs and incentives.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This chapter will talk about the background Knowledge of the study, the problem statement, research question and research objective, the hypothesis, the scope of the study the significant of the study and the human and physical characteristics of the study

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY

Globally, agriculture plays a crucial role in providing food, employment, and income for millions of people (Nkeze, Namondo, & Nwose, 2018). However, the sector is facing numerous challenges, including socio-economic constraints that hinder agricultural productivity and development. Globally approximately 40% of crop production is supported by irrigated agricultural lands which accounts for 20% of all agricultural areas (UN Water, 2013).

Key constraints to agricultural productivity in the developing country include low availability of improved or hybrid seed, lack of seed multiplication capacity, low profitability and efficiency of fertilizer use due to the lack of complimentary improved practices and seed, and lack of irrigation and water constraints. In addition, lack of transport infrastructure and market access decreases the profitability of adopting improved practices. The scarcity of quantifications of crop losses and analyses of their causes is related mainly to the difficulty of their assessment. Most attempts to measure yield reductions (losses) were based on relationships between yields and an indicator of a given pest or disease. However, farmers usually do not face only one pest or disease, and their crops can be exposed to different conditions (Savary et al, 2008).

In general, maximum potential yields can be estimated using results of highly controlled on-station experiments or crop models calibrated using crop characteristics of the latest varieties (Fischer et al., 2009).

Agricultural production in Cameroon

According to the Ministry of agricultural and Rural Development (MINADER), agriculture contributes about 25% of the country’s Gross domestic product (GDP) and employs over 70% of the population (MINADER, 2019). Agriculture also contributes to the attainment of food security and export production to generate the foreign exchange to pay off Cameroon’s debt and meet up with imports needed. The country has diverse agro-ecological zone, allowing for the cultivation of a wide range of crops. Major crops cultivated include food stables such as maize cassava, plantain as well as cash crops like cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil (MINADER, 2017). These crops are cultivated by small scale farmers across the country, contributing to both subsistence and commercial farming. According to Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Cameroon has over 6million cattle and 20 million poultry birds (FAO, 2020).

Agricultural production in Cameroon encompasses crop cultivation, livestock rearing and fishing activities. These activities contribute significantly to the country’s economy, providing employment, export opportunities, food security.

Agricultural production in South West Region of Cameroon / Buea

The south West region of Cameroon is known for its high agricultural potentials, with Buea Sub-division being a major producer of crops such as cocoa, coffee and oil palm. However, the region has been facing various socio-economic constraints that have had a significant impact on agricultural production.

Agricultural production has been challenged by many diseases weeds, and insect’s pest resulting in loss of crop yields. For increasing the crop productivity, farmers are using high dosage of chemicals which may lead to soil corrosion, deposition of excess chemicals and insects and pathogens resistance to chemical pesticides (Pimentel, 1995).

Morever, the inadequate infrastructure in the region, such as poor road networks and limited access to electricity and water, has also hindered agricultural production (Nkeze et al, 2018). The lack of reliable transportation has made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets, resulting in high post -harvest losses.  The effects of this is that the farmers who have limited financial capacity are unable to compete in the urban market (Amponsah et al.,2015) and this is a threat to food security of the urban population.

Farmers are confronted with multitude of sociuo-economic constraints in their attempt to gain access to farmland to boost production and thus unable to carry out their production activities (Odudu and Omirin, 2012; Olumba et al., 2019). The lack of access to credit facilities, vulnerability to theft, and crop damaged by passing livestock are also highlighted constraints agricultural productivity (Asadu et al., 2016).

Rohit et al (2017) found the unavailability of inputs, labour, shortages, marketing, economic and environmental challenges are key challenges for peri-urban farming.

The effects of socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea sub-division, South West region Cameroon are significant and require urgent attention. Addressing these constraints such as providing access to modern farming technologies improving infrastructure and establishing stable market structures can greatly improve agricultural productivity and the livelihood of farmers in the region.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The effects of socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Southwest region Cameroon, have emerged as a significant challenge hindering the development and sustainability of the agricultural sector.

One of the problem major socio-economic constraints affecting agricultural production in Buea sub-division is the limited access to credit and financial resources for farmers. Small-scale farmers, who constitute a significant portion of agricultural workforce in the region face problem accessing formal credit institutions leading to inadequate investment in agricultural inputs, machinery and technology. This lack of financial supports constraints their capacity to improve productivity expand their productivity and adopt sustainable farming practices.

The socio-economic constraints also intersect with environmental challenges such as deforestation, soil degradation and climate change impacts. Unsustainable farming practices, driven by poverty and limited access resources contribute to the degradation of natural resource reducing land long- term fertility and agricultural productivity. Addressing the effects of socio-economic constraints in Buea sub-division requires a comprehensive and integrated approach efforts should be directed towards improving access to credit and financial service for farmers enhancing educational opportunity and farmers training programs , investing in critical infrastructure such as roads networks electricity and irrigation systems and promoting sustainable farming practices that  mitigate environmental degradation.by addressing this constraints the region can unlock its agricultural potential, achieve food security ,and foster food security and foster sustainable economic development.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the effects of socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea Sub-division?

1.3.1) Specific research question

1) What is the social constraint to agricultural production in Buea Sub-division?

2) What are the economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea Sub-division?

3) What are the problems of agricultural production related to socio-economic constraints in Buea Sub-division?

4) What are the challenges faced by farmers in Buea Sub-division?

5) What are the mitigation strategies of the socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea Sub-division?

1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in

Buea Sub-division

1.4.1) Specific research objective

1) To analyse the social constraints to agricultural production in Buea

Sub-division.

2) To examine the economic constraints to agricultural production in Buea Sub-division

3) To investigate the problem of agricultural production related to socio-economic constraints in Buea Sub-division

4)To examine the challenges faced by farmers in Buea sub-division

5)  To propose mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of socio-economic constraints on agricultural production in Buea Sub-division.