THE IMPACT OF AGRO-INDUSTRY ON GREAT APE CONSERVATION AND

LIVELIHOODS IN CAMEROON: THE CASE

OF CDC

Presented by

DINSI Stanley Chung, PhD

Hotel des DEPUTES-Y’de

26-11-2014

Presentation outline

• Background

• Presentation of study results

• Options for the way forward

• Conclusion

Background• Agriculture remains the backbone of Cameroon's

economy, employing 70 percent of its workforce, while providing 42 percent of its GDP and 30 percent of its export revenue.

• Agro-industrial activities of the CDC continue to impact conservation and local livelihood in the South West region of Cameroon.

• The quest for vast expanses of land for large-scale agriculture is greatly affecting conservation and local livelihoods in the SW region.

• Objective;The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of agro-industry on great apes conservation and Livelihood in the south west region of Cameroon.

Methodology

- Qualitative research methods (focus group discussions, participant observation, interviews)

- 4 days Interviews carried out with CDC field (Banana, Rubber and palm plantation staff) and administrative staff-responded to open ended questions

- 1 day of interview with LWC senior officials on collaboration with communities and CDC

- 2 days of interview with local communities on their interaction with the CDC and LWC and impact of their activities

- Desk research

Results 1: Positive impacts of the CDC on local livelihoods -1

1. Employment;

2. Land surrender scheme;

3. Land rental and land offer for crops

cultivation;

4. Social development programmes;

Impact of the CDC On Conservation (LWC)

1. Free donation of Food for animals;

2. Selling of palm fruits at reduced prices;

Negative impact of CDC on local livelihood-1

1. Loss of Land ownership rights;

2. Social Cost; Extremely low wages, poor working conditions and housing etc.

3. Environmental/human risks;

4. Loss of permanent forest estate;

5. Loss of alternative revenue;

Results 2. Threats of CDC on Conservation-1

1. Land grab for agro-industrial purposes to the disadvantage of conservation;

2. Threats to Mount Cameroon National Park;

3. Contamination of water source for wildlife;

Results 3. Positive impact of the LWC on local livelihood-1

1. Creation of alternative and sustainable income

sources;

a) Aframomum Project;

b) Green Leaf Vegetable Scheme;

2. Environmental Education;

Results 4. Challenges faced by the Cameroon Development Corporation

1. Render the CDC competitive;

2. Acquiring surplus land for the corporation;

3. Stabilizing crop prices;

4. Job creation;

5. Land surrender to local communities;

Challenges faced by the LWC

1. Equipping the Limbe Wild Lab;

2. Controlling floods;

3. Staffing and transport facilities;

4. Ensuring sufficient food supplies and financial means

Results 5. Options for the way forward

1. Measures to be undertaken by the CDC;

• Ameliorate working and living conditions of field workers in particular and corporation staff in general;

• Use less harmful or non-harmful insecticides, pesticides and fertilisers to be used on crops;

• Increases the quantity of food aid given to animals in the LWC;

• Develop a communication strategy to constantly inform communities of the corporations activities and events;

Measures reserved to the LWC

• Intensify and multiply the search for potential partners and donors for the center;

• Advertise for more volunteers services at national and international levels;

• Develop a more aggressive national and international communication strategy to attract assistance for the center;

Measures to be taken into account by government

• Conduct constant consultations and closely follow-up the respect of impact assessments of the corporation especially in its new sites;

• Follow-up the land rights and resettlement scheme of the CDC and ensure transparency on the part of local administrative and traditional authorities;

• Provide the necessary assistance to MINFOF staff working in the LWC;

• Re-lunch employment opportunities in the CDC which will greatly contribute in improving rural livelihoods in surrounding communities;

Measures to be considered by local communities

• Youths should obtain specialized certificates by opting for corresponding professional education;

• Traditional authorities in Fako should stop the illegal selling of community land for personal use;

• Communities should immediately report to competent authorities any corruption attempts by traditional and local administrative authorities in the sharing of land;

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION