CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION

• Introduction

This chapter explains the background and the literature review of the study from a global to local. It also talks about the location of the study area, presentation of the internship institution, the statement of the research problems, research questions, objectives and hypothesis of the study. The chapter also reveals the significance of the study and lastly the organization of the chapter and chapter synthesis.

1.1   Background to the study

Gari, also spelled as garri, garry or tapioca, depending on the producing area, is a pregelatinized, fine to coarse granular product made from fermented cassava mash. In West and Central African countries, it constitutes one of the most consumed and traded products of all cassava food products (Gouado et al., 2008; Sanni et al., 2009; Ngueulieu, 2013; Wassmer, 2013; Njukwe et al., 2014; FAO, 2015; Levai et al., 2016; Mapiemfu-Lamaré et al., 2017; Fon & Djoudji, 2017). It could be compared to what potato products are to the Westerners.

Gari is consumed by millions of people in Africa (Alex, 2016). The popularity of gari as convenience food is growing in particular, which is mainly due to its affordability, good storage ability easy storage aptitude and its ease in preparation (Oluwafemi & Udeh, 2016). It is consumed either as snack after soaking in cold water with sugar, peanuts, or honey, or cooked in hot water to make a dough-like paste called “eba” in Nigeria or “gari fufu” in soups in Cameroon (Gouado et al., 2008; Funke et al., 2012; Bebnji, 2016).

The processing of gari involves grating peeled cassava roots to produce a mash which is then pressed to remove water, then fermented, sieved and roasted with or without palm oil. The pregelatinized granules are either yellow when roasted with palm oil or white when roasted without palm oil (Udofia et al., 2011; Funke et al., 2012; Arinola & Oluwasola, 2017; FAO, 2018).When gari is stored properly, it has a shelf life of six months or more (Alex, 2016;Ukpabi et al., 2012).

The importance of gari is also related to the prominent role of cassava among African foodstuffs, since the root is cultivated in 40 African countries and represents the source of calories for 40% of African populations (Nweke, 2009). In addition, gari is the main cassava processed products in many countries (FAO, 2018).Originally,Cassava originates from America and was first introduced into Africa in the Congo basin by the Portuguese around 1558 (Efe, 2022).Efe, (2022) said, the global production of cassava has nearly doubled over the past 30 years about 230 metric tons in 2010; half is in Africa, with a third in Asia and 145 in Latin America(Efe, 2022).However, the high number of cassava varieties throughout Africa may lead to variability in gari quality, since gari, displays characteristics based, among others, on the starch properties of cassava roots, particularly its gelatinization behavior. Since all cassava varieties do not display comparable starch properties, it can be hypothesized that all cassava varieties could not lead to the same gari quality.

Despite the importance of gari in the diet of African populations, the number and type of studies conducted on the product varies from one region to another. In this respect, the system of production of gari is the most studied in terms of: processing parameters (fermentation, frying temperature and time, microbial aspect both technological and as contaminants) (Irtwange & Achimba, 2009; Udofia et al.,2011; Ahaotu et al., 2011; Edward et al., 2012; Arinola, 2016; Olaoye et al., 2015; Ikpe & Essienubong, 2016; Oluwafemi & Udeh, 2016), market system (Sanni, 2005; Afolabi, 2009; Funke et al., 2012; Adebayo et al.,2012), quality properties (nutritional, sensory and functional) (Ashaye et al., 2005; Adejumo & Raji, 2012; Arinola, 2016; Oluwafemi & Udeh, 2016), packaging systems, shelf-life (Amadi & Adebola, 2008; Ukpabi et al., 2012), cassava characteristics (age, variety) (Apea-Bah et al., 2011), and contribution to poverty alleviation (Afolabi, 2009; Oloyede & Ayinde, 2016).

Cameroon is a cassava and gari production area, and an exporter of gari to border countries, even to Nigeria(IRPCM, 2008). Cassava represents 60% of roots and tubers consumed in Cameroon, and are ranked as the second most consumed crop after Banana (FAO, 2018). This high consumption rate justifies an increase of 129% of its production between 2002 and 2013 (INS, 2016). The root is cultivated on the whole territory of the country and the production is continuouly increasing with the Centre, East, South, Southwest and North West Regions being the largest producers (Njukwe et al., 2013; MINADER, 2013; INS, 2016).

The production, processing and commercialization system of gari is still largely informal in Cameroon, though public efforts are initiated to improve the channel. The system remains dominated by scattered and uncoordinated actors and small household units, with reduced or archaic means (Mvodo Meyo and Liang, 2012).The selling places are local markets where gari is sold in different types of measurements/containers, such as a cup, plastic bag or basin, etc. The product is not present in supermarkets (IRPCM, 2008; Mvodo Meyo & Liang, 2012; Tolly Lolo, 2013), certainly because packaging initiatives to improve the market presentation of gari are not significantly implemented.

In the case of gari processing, there is little objective information on which cassava varieties are used and available in Cameroon. Local cassava varieties are generally preferred because of their availability, their high dry matter content, their liked sweet taste and their ability to be kept in soil for long time after their maturity (PNDRT, 2006; Zundel et al., 2010; Cameroun, 2010; Njukwe et al., 2013; MapiemfuLamaré et al., 2017;). Bebnji (2016) found that in the North-West Region, almost 85% of cassava processors use improved cassava varieties for processing them into gari, particularly a variety named “six months”, so called because it is physiologically mature at six months after planting.

1.2   Location of the StudyArea

• Location

Bali is located between latitude 5°54’ north of the Equator and longitude 10° east of the Greenwich Meridian. Bali is bordered to the North East by Bamenda, to the South East by Santa Sub division, to the North West Mbengwi and to the South by Batibo Subdivision (figure 1.1). Bali subdivision is found in Mezam Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. It is found at thetransition between the grasslands and the forest to the south and west. Bali-Nyonga makes up one of the 32 subdivisions of the North West Region. It is situated some 20 km from Bamenda, which is the regional headquarters of the North West Region (Wikipedia, 2018). It has a basin shape and covers a surface area of about 277.77 km2 with a population density of about 27 persons per kilometer square(JSTOR, 2022). The population of Bali Subdivision is noted to be on an increasing trend. It stood at 12,763 people in 1976, moved to 17,612 in 1987 and by 2005, the population was estimated at 30,375 with a greater proportion of females   than males (Kaberry & Chilver, 1961). Presently, the population is estimated to have increased to 85,058 inhabitants and has a density of about 188 persons per square kilometer, having an annual growth rate of 4.2%. Bali had 7582 homes within 15 villages in 2005 which are estimated to have increased presently (Kaberry & Chilver, 1961). Agriculture is the dominant economic activity and climatic variations tendto affect crops not to thrive well and even animals thereby, injuring the health of the economy (JSTOR, 2022). Bali is located about 8^o south of the equator. The climate of Bali is a tropical warm and humid climate all year round with 2 main distinctive seasons that is dry season of about four months and a raining season of about 8 months which has influence a great productivity yield Average monthly temperatures are like any other part of the Northwest Region with the hottest month recording a monthly temperature of 33°C (February and March) and the coldest months recording as low as 23°C (June–October). Two major seasons exist in the area, the rainy and the dry seasons. In the past, the rainy season occurred from March and extends to October and the dry season from November to February each year. Present climatic change has caused variation in both seasons. The rainy season extends up to October and December (Kaberry & Chilver, 1961). Figure 1.1 below shows the location of Bali sub-division in Mezam Division of the North West region of Cameroon.

Figure 1.1: Location of Bali sub-division in Mezam division of the North West region of Cameroon

Source: (Geo Spatial data, NIS, Yaounde 2019)

1.2.2   Relief

The topography of Bali is characterized by steep/gentle slopes and lowlands. Settlements are located between 45m and 898m above sea level.Bali is characterized by grassland vegetation. These characteristics make it easier for the bali people to engage in the cultivation of cassava and the production of garri in Bali sub division.

1.2.3   Soil

Garri is made from the cassava roots (Efe, 2022), and like any other root vegetable, cassava rootsrequires good soil type to flourish. Even though water remains one of the vital natural resources appealing to the local inhabitants of the eastern slope,traces of clay soils can also be found in certain areas; Clay soil retains most nutrients very well because of its negative charge and high surface area, so clays usually are very fertile (Katie, 2025),this means that, gardeners do not need to add fertilizer as frequently to clay soils as to other soil types. Hence, generates a good produce of cassava in Bali sub-division with a low expense on fertilizer purchases. However, the Municipality is suffering from high soil erosion due to increasing human intervention a high rain fall which turn to reduce the effectiveness in the cultivation of cassava and in turn affects the production of garri in Bali.

1.2.4   Flora and vegetation

Flora is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous) native plants (Wikipedia, 2022). Primary forest and secondary forester with savannah vegetation dominate flora species of the municipality. First and foremost, flora provides essential resources for the ecosystem (Pixstory, 2022). For example, flowers provide pollen that helps to fertilize other plants, and cassava plants are not exempted from these benefits. Pixstory, (2022) said, flora also plays a role in regulating the climate by changing the way sunlight is absorbed; it also helps to regulate the environment by absorbing and storing water. This ensures that the plant kingdom, including cassava plant, stays moist and thriving through dry periods; it helps to fertilize the soil with nutrients and water. This helps promote a healthy ecosystem that can support other plants (cassava) and animals. And last but not least, flora provides food for various creatures in the ecosystem – from insects to birds to large predators (Pixstory, 2022). Therefore, the Municipality of Bali has this natural advantage in cassava cultivation which in turn increase the production of garri in Bali.

1.2.5   Fauna

Wild life and domesticated animals are found within the Bali sub division; Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry (local and improved breeds), ducks, cane rats and rat moles constitute the domesticated animals while the antelope, hare, deer, monkeys, elephants, pangolin, chimpanzee, gorilla, bush baby and squirrels constitute those found in the wild. Moreover, the wild birds include: Grey headed sparrow, Swallow, Hawk, Weaver bird, Sunbird Owls, bats, Kingfisher and parrots. These fauna characteristics in Bali makes the farmers to face difficulties in cassava cultivation as the animals feeds from the leaves and stalks of the cassava plant leading to poor growth or mortality of cassava in bali and hence slows down the production of garri in Bali sub division.

1.2.6   Mineral resources

There is no evidence of mineral resources in this Subdivision as confirmed by community residents and no secondary data exists to disprove this. The low or no availability of minerals in Bali sub division also makes it difficult for the cultivation of cassava and hinder the mass production of garri.

1.2.7   Basic socio economic infrastructure

• Agriculture

Agriculture is the major economic activity and source of livelihood for majority of individuals, families and households in this Municipality. Consequently, the Government of Cameroon has put in place technical services (though not effective) to assist farmers with modern production system. This service includes the sub divisional delegation of agriculture and agricultural post. Most residents of this municipality are involved in the cultivation of food crops (potatoes, beans, plantains, coco yams, bananas, yams, maize, and cassava). And basically no effective cash crops except for gardening crops which are for sale,such as, garden egg, tomatoes, cocomber and many others. The potentials of this activity are that it provides source of employment and revenue to residents. These factors go as far as influencing the decision of most of the indigenes of this municipality to take the cultivation of cassava for the production of garri as their major activities. But, most of the common problem associated with it is a drop in agriculture production and low productivity.

1.2.7.2   Health

The Government of Cameroon has invested much in the sector of heath in the Bali municipality. A District Medical Hospital, Medical Health Center, Integrated Health Center coupled with authorized private clinics is available in these communities. Communities with either public or private health infrastructure are Bawock,Wosing, and many a few others. The most prevalence diseases reported in the health sector are malaria and typhoid. Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea as testified by officials of these centers. Common problems related to health are inadequate medical equipment and staff (SOP, 2022).

1.2.7.2   Education

Various educational institutions present in this Municipality are the public and lay private schools at both basic and secondary level. Though the Government has put in place technical services (sub divisional inspectorate for basic education and Delegation of secondary education) to monitor the smooth functioning of various schools in this municipality, these institution still face the problem of inadequate pedagogic materials, limited classrooms and desks, ill equipped technical services and limited staff.

1.2.7.3   Water

Access to potable water within this municipality is inadequate. The service of CAMWATER is limited to The Bali people and the rest of the neighboring communities such as Batibo, Bengwi have benefited from water schemes though insufficiency remain a greater problem due to large population size, and non- treatment of water source or nonfunctional water system remain a major problem. Cassava processing to garri needs a lot of water; washing the cassava and the processing equipment.

1.2.7.4   Electricity

With regards to energy, the source of energy in the council area varied in terms of types. Some communities like Bengwi Santa and Batibo,and even Bali are connected by AES Sonel while the rest of the communities rely on private generator and wood fuel. Insufficient electricity supply remains a major problem to communities connected to AES Sonel. Most of the machines used to process cassava to garri are electrified. This means that the bali people needs surficient electricity to enhance their production of garri.

1.7.5   Communication

Access to Radio signals in the Municipality can be considered adequate. Television signals are unlimited. Cable network and print medium are limited to areas far beyond the periphery and such areas are to be encouraged. Insufficient access to communication media has led to low level of awareness in the Municipality. Good communication systems facilitate the sales of garri in bali, as the garri producers in bali can easily reach their buyers on phones to negotiate price and quantity.

1.2.7.6   Roads

Roads network linking communities within the municipality area vary in states. The states of road within the council area are horrible especially during the rainy season. Vehicle plying the road during this period usually get stocked in mud pits and incidents of frequent accidents are frequent as testify by some residents of this communities. Except for the paved main axes leading from Bamenda to Manfe that runs through the Municipality, the rest of the road infrastructures are earth and unpaved roads. Though these roads are passable all year round, the state of the roads remains in very bad condition. Investment in regular road maintenance is imperative to ease free movement of persons and goods as well as promoting diversification in economic activities. After processing cassava and producing garri, a good transport routes in needed to export or transport garri for sale.

1.2.7.7   Environment

The environment is constantly under pressure from mankind. The search of farmlands and settlements space keeps increasing as time increases. Most farming systems are not eco-friendly, leading to land degradation. Solid wastes are not properly disposed of. The absence of waste management system and/or waste disposal mechanisms in the municipality makes littering very common.

Street/ roads and drainage system serve as dumping ground for household waste. This practice has contributed to the current poor hygienic and sanitation condition in the municipality of Bali. Hence, the garri produced in Bali in constantly observed for good hygienic condition.

1.3   Presentation of Internship Institution

Bambui Water Authority (BAWA) is a community base organization in change of the responsibility of providing clean and potable drinking water to the Bambui community. BAWA was established in April 2011, with the merging of three water management committee. The main water project was completed in 1991. The Atunibah water project,was completed in 1993 and the Ntambang water supply project, was completed in 2003(Evangeline and the Anagfor 2013). The Atunibah water project and the Ntabang water project had been established and certain quarters could not be supply by their main water project due to their elevated topography. Due to the shortcomings of having three separate water committee in one village, they have to merged together to form BAWA. In the Constitution of BAWA in 2014 the organization has aimed to adhere to the world Health Organization (WHO) drinking water guidelines, meaning that it is imperative that a suitable quality is strived towards. The equally have the responsibility of ensuring the constant availability of water for water for the community. In this light, water shortages must be minimised an adequate quantity of water needs to made available both during the rainy season and the dry season.

1.3.1   The Goals and Objectives of BAWA

In order for BAWA to reach these goals, the three Pillars of sustainability must be taken into account. They include

Environmental sustainability

The water shades that provide the water source must be conserved and pollution minimize around this catchment. Furthermore, Social sustainability BAWA must incorporate the community into the management and operation of the water system. The community has to feel that they have ownership over the system and as a result may want to contribute towards it improvement.

Economic sustainability

The normal operation and maintenance of the system must be able to be run without extra support only through revenue generated by BAWA. These codes of practice provide some tools to follow in order to improve the organization and set BAWA on the trajectory to meet these goals. In the process it is hope that BAWA would become a model which order water authorities in the region would want to follow

The Objectives of those codes of practice are as follows.

• to assist BAWA in improving the running of their day to day activities
• To define the role of the personnel working at BAWA and to improve their knowledge of the processes in involved in running a water
• to set healthy and safety standard which would increase the safety of workers at BAWA, to create a water quality tasting plan which would take the quality of the water provided by
• to ensure proper resources management and systems to ensure that proper inventory of equipment is kept at the office, layout procedure for catchment protection,
• to provide a set of tools which can be best plans and execute a now
• to ensure that proper data management are measure, are adopted for the optimization of the system
• to improve the running of the organization so that the backlogs are minimize,
• To create a yearly maintenance schedule for the technician of Figure 1.1 below presents the organizational layout (organigram) of BAWA

Firstly, Exploitation collection, treatment maintenance storage and distribution of potable water to the population, Billing revenue collection, maintenance and network extension, Seeking funding opportunity not internally and externally. Furthermore, establishing local natural and international partnership for capacity building and materials support for improve performance, keeping water quality monitoring to ensure compliance with UNO standard, Implementing and integrated water resource management methodology (IWRM) to ensure that the following objectives are achieve. More so, Funding for new areas for water interventions, Extension of water system, Water purification, Bottling water

The Fon is custodian of the Bambui village. The Fon plays an influential role as a member of the board of directors of the Institution. Furthermore, we have the water congress. The water congress constitutes every user of the water scheme which they usually have annual meeting at list three times in a year. More so, we have the board of directors headed by a chairman who happens be the chairman of the Bambui village council. They look at the activities of the manager and if they need to make amends. The boards of directors are divided in the management board and the audit team (internal and external audit team). The management board is a supervisory body that plays a more substantial role in the day to day management of the Institution. The audit team controls the finances of the system and the expenditures of the Institution. Furthermore, the manager is in charge of management, putting in place a strategic administrative system to implement the recommendation from the board, financial accountability system. More so, we have the revenue collector who is mostly concerned with the collection of maintenance Levy and also issuing out recipe.

We have technical source.it involves the difference technicians beginning from the main technician.

Bambui Water Authority is responsible for the internal structure and the wellbeing of Bambui which includes the distribution of clean and portable water to the Bambui community, maintenance in case of linkages, washing of catchments both the sand filters and the gravel filters like on weekly and monthly basis, planting of catchment protection trees like Pilgin Africana . We were thought on the field on how management our catchment like the aspect of cleaning and washing of the sand and gravel filer on weekly and monthly basis in other to avoid growth from the roots of plans and blockage as a result of mud. More so, we were also thought on the aspect of catchment protection most especially on the aspect of planting of environmental friendly trees around catchment areas. The mayor of Tubah offered BAWA some environmental friendly trees for them to be planted around their different catchment areas. all these majors are to ensure that there should be no water shortages in the long run.

1.4   Statement of the research problem

In Bali, farmers tend to be affected lack of good storage facilities after harvest. The farmers are mostly local farmers who only cultivate cassava product mostly for commercial purposes and little for home consumption. These local farmers can’t afford good refrigerating system and more over electrical failure is very rampant and some of the local farmers are not opportune o have electricity which would help preserve their cassava crops which would permit them to meet up with the market days. A good storage facility is very important to these farmers because it would maintain their crops integrity of the products, to prevent spoilage and illness. In addition, we equally have poor farm to market road. The farm to market road is very bad because it is characterized by tracks and foot path with only a few secondary road and these roads are mostly seasonal that is it availability is fluctuating with the dry and rainy seasonal. In the rainy seasons these roads are very muddy and impossible. Also we also have poor method of farming. The method of Gari production in Bali subdivision is very poor. This is partly because most producers still use the old Method of fermentation that is over duration of the cassava in water, poor method of pressing (tying grind cassava in a bag and pressing it with a stick), poor method of grating instead of the mechanize graters they still use the old traditional graters. Which is a poor method of frying and drying? Instead of using the mechanized frying and drying method (mechanical gratifier), they still use the old traditional fire place to fry it. After frying and drying, the receptive Gari producers hardly sieve the Gari, the reasons why small crumbs are always found in the finished Gari product. This study is set to evaluate the socio economic importance of Gari production with specific focus in Bali sub division