CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study.

Market gardening is the commercial production of high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and other plants on a scale larger than what is normally produced at home gardens (Bachamann, 2009). This enterprise gives farmers the potential to increase their livelihoods options and income. Market gardening is oriented towards local markets, although production for sell in more distant markets is possible (Omer Z, 2018). Community gardens were initiated around the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries where tropical vegetable culture survived in remote areas (Griggs, 1974).

Generally in Africa, community gardens were meant to produce vegetable crops for family consumption and this was even in prehistoric time. Most of the farming was done after the rainy season when the soils were friable, thus easy to work on. Evolving from subsistence farming, though the practice of market gardening was practiced for centuries, it has overtime become an important aspect of agriculture. Among various economic and social benefits, market gardening has a vital and multifaceted role in providing food security, meeting the demands of consumer markets, utilising labour and generating income (Friesen 1998).

As urban centres expand, so the market for fresh produce increases and the land devoted to market gardening expands, usually in the periphery (Friesen 1998). This is particularly true of developing countries where rapid urbanisation is prevalent.

In Cameroon market gardening is practiced on the Western Highlands, slopes of Mount Cameroon, Mungo depression, Benue depression and the Foumbot plains. The practice involves the cultivation of perishable crops such as green beans, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, cabbages, spices and vegetables under ample precipitation conditions (Azieh Edwin, 2013). Market gardening is a very important sector is Santa supporting livelihood of the people in terms of income, employment and meeting up with food needs of families. This sector also holds so much for the future of the people. Though with the much hope and reliance on the sector, evidently, there are growing numbers of problems which are of concern

major visible problems is the drop in yields or output though this could be accounted for by many factors, it remains very prominent that the methods used in production as well as investment in terms of inputs are still very primitive and grossly inadequate.

• Presentation of the Study Area.

1.2.1 Geographical Location of the Study Area.

Bambili is located between latitudes 5°59’0″ N and longitudes 10°15’0″E of the Greenwich Meridian (figure1.1).Bambili shares boundaries with villages like Bambui, Kijemkiku and Sabja.The Assets potentials and constraints of the biophysical milieu of Bambili are presented in figure 1.1.

.2.2 Physical Background of the Study Area.

1.2.2.1 Climate.

The climate of Bambili fits into two seasons (the dry and rainy seasons). The area experiences the tropical highlands climate in general. The rainy season stretch from March to October and is characterized by heavy rains brought in by the south west mozoon winds. Places are generally wet during this period and temperatures are relatively warm. The dry season begins in November and extends to February and is driven by the north east trade winds. The dry season is known for its severe sun shine during the day and very cold nights. Equally, places are generally dusty especially the roads and road sides which in turn produce mud during the rainy season (Helvestas, 2001). Bambili has a mean maximum temperature range from 130C-140C and the mean maximum temperature range from 200-220’C. November records lowest mean minimum temperature and the highest mean maximum are recorded in December. All this good climatic aspects favors agriculture thus market gardening is practiced in Bambili throughout the year.

1.2.2.2 Vegetation and soils.

A good portion of the Bambili landscape is covered with few forest patches with lots of eucalyptus trees. The grass quickly dries up during the dry season and turns green during the rainy season. Eucalyptus lies mostly in the low-lying plains while woody valley and natural forest exist in the watershed area (Helvestas, 2001).

The soil is very much fertile, with lots of agricultural activities taking place in the area market gardening included. The soil fertility is as a result of humus, which is a dark volcanic soil from the upland areas. There is a bit of sandy soil that has been washed down from the hills and deposited on river banks (Helvestas, 2001). This washed up soil from the Sabga hill is eroded down to the river beds of Bambili which in turn favors agriculture and thus market gardening is practiced in Bambili because of the rich alluvial and volcanic soils from the Sabga hills and surrounding areas.

1.2.2.3 Relief and Drainage.

The main source of water that flows to Bambili is from the lake Bambili. The streams that runs from Lake Bambili includes ntse-ni, ntyse-nkwa, ntselegel and ntsenta all of which reduce in volume during the dry season. The main stream in Bambili is the Chaniyeh stream which flows through the village; there is another stream which marks the boundary between Bambili and KedjomKeku called river Fuwong (Helvester 2001). With regards to relief Tubah comprise of undulating hills with a relatively flat plain at Bambili. The hills are broken by woody valleys and interlocking spurs. Some of the major hills in the study area include ngu bi, anguhaseh, nguhmbonyam, munduba, vumih and mbi. These hills provide a good watershed for the area.

1.2.2.4 Population structure.                                                                       

Bambili is an emerging township in the north west of Cameroon precisely in the Tubahsub-division inhabited by a population of about 5841 people as of 2005 population census (BUCREP, 2005). Amongst this population, there are more females than males with a proportion of about 51% and 49% respectively. The area suffers a rural exodus with population drops between ages of 25-46 years moving to the city. About 49% of the population is made of farmers. To Helvestas (2001), most of the inhabitants settle on the hills according to their history and it was in the course of time that most of them resorted to moving down to the plain’s reasons being search for fertile soils and educational purposes due to the creation of the university of Bamenda which has

caused the population to increase drastically over the years. This population provides a ready market for market garden produce thus favoring market garden activities since it concerns perishables goods.

1.2  Statement of the Problem.

Market gardening in Bambili is growing in popularity. It is used as alternative response to subsistence farming in order to improve food quantity and quality to the growing population and neighbourhoods where healthy food is scarce or not readily available. Unlike in other parts of the Cameroon where market gardening is practiced,  the land tenure systems in Bambili range from inheritance, renting and ownership, with the state and traditional rulers having exclusive rights over most lands who sometimes sell or redistribute without due consideration given for agricultural purposes. This leaves some farmers with large surfaces of land and others with very small sizes. Also, the rapid population increase is also putting much pressure on the land. This is seen in the increase in demand for land use for developmental projects (schools, roads, churches, houses, hospitals, markets and so many others).

Poor farm to market roads and the inadequate modes of transportation are also serious problems. Roads leading to areas of production are deplorable and are only seasonal roads. More so, the absence or poor storage facilities, improved species of seeds and other farm inputs are a big handicap to farmers in Bambili. Production and marketing of these crops is personal that is, farmers do not have Common Initiative Groups which makes it difficult to benefit from Government, NGO, Elites and others stake holders. This study therefore seeks to explore the socio-economic implications of market gardening activities to the livelihoods of farmers in Bambili.

1.4 Research Questions.

The  main research question.

 What are the socio-economic implications of market gardening to livelihoods of the population in Bambili?

Specific Research Questions.

• How is market gardening activities carried out in Bambili?
• What are the contributions of market gardening to the socio economic activity in Bambili?
  • What are the challenges of successful market gardening in Bambili?

  1.5 Research Objectives.

  Main Objective:

  To assess the socio-economic implications of market gardening to livelihoods in Bambili.

  Specific  Objective.

  1. To analyses how market gardening is carried out in Bambili
  2. To examine the contributions of market gardening to socio-economic activities of farmers in Bambili
  3. To explore the challenges of successful market gardening in Bambili