An Analysis of the Socio-Economic Determinants of Cocoa Production in Meme Division, Cameroon

Abstract

This study presents a vivid assessment of the socioeconomic determinants of cocoa production, which remains the mainstay of the economic life of Meme Division. A systematic random sample of 200 households out of 153,568 was chosen in the three subdivisions that make up Meme Division. In addition, secondary information on cocoa output for 33 years (1980-2012) was obtained. The data were analyzed with the use of the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Trend analyses for cocoa output show that unusual variations were experienced in some years. Based on the regression analysis on the socioeconomic determinants of cocoa production, capital, labour and price, they all show a positive effect on the output of cocoa. The dummy variables (political influence and gender) have both a positive and negative influence on cocoa output respectively; however, their influences on output are insignificant. In addition, more than 61% of variations in the output of cocoa were observed to be the result of variations in these variables in our regression equation taking into consideration the number of years and the number of variables included in the analyses. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the observed socioeconomic variables affect cocoa production in Meme Division but the degree and direction to which each variable affect output varies. The study recommends, among others, the need to improve on the storage facilities of farmers so as to avoid price fluctuations while the institution of an Economic Pricing Policy that will continuously stabilize cocoa prices and hence farmers' income is imperative.

The effectiveness of government policies for export promotion on the export performance of SMEs Cocoa exporters in Cameroon

“…The lack of an established and updated database in Cameroon as reported by Ngoasong (2007) has made purposive sampling the only alternative to determine the sample size. This purposive sampling was used to select SMEs that had been in business for at least three years, had been able to realize the effects of GPEP and where located within the South West and Centre Regions responsible for 50 and 30 percent of total Cocoa produced and exported in Cameroon (Ngoong and Forgha, 2013).…”

Impact of Personal Characteristics of Farmers on Cocoa Yields: Case of Centre Region, Mbangassina Municipality, Cameroon

“…Studies on the socioeconomic and personal characteristics of cocoa farmers have been reported from many cocoa-growing areas (Bisseleua et al, 2013;Vaast & Somarriba, 2014;Oluyole & Sanusi, 2009). Cocoa feeds, cloths, shelters and takes care of the livelihood of the farmers (Ngoong & Forgha, 2013). However, there is a dearth of knowledge about differences in personal characteristics and cocoa yield or productivity of cocoa farmers in cocoa growing areas in Cameroon especially in Mbangassina municipality.…”

Assessment of the impact of climate and non-climatic parameters on cocoa production: a contextual analysis for Cameroon

“…While cocoa production has risen significantly in Cameroon from approximately 122,600 tons in year 2000 to over 290,000 tons in 2021, Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest producer, has increased its output over same period to 800,000 tons, with production in the country increasing over four times more than Cameroon . Cocoa is grown over about 460,000 hectares of Cameroon's total cultivated land, with the highest cocoa output from the Southwest (35%), Center (28%), and South (16%) regions, where it thrives best (FAO, 2017;Ngong et al, 2019;Lescuyer et al, 2020). However, the Southwest recently lost its leading position to the Center region owing to socio-political turmoil.…”

“…However, the Southwest recently lost its leading position to the Center region owing to socio-political turmoil. Cameroon earns about 250 billion francs CFA (US$ 500,000,000) annually from cocoa, accounting for about half of the country's primary-sector exports (Ngong et al, 2019). Cocoa makes up a significant share of the country's agricultural exports, providing about 90% of the income for rural communities involved in its production (Abei and Van Rooyen, 2018).…”

“…To ensure the livelihood and survival of peasant cocoa farmers over the long term, reducing pest and disease attacks on cocoa crops and increasing productivity in this sector (Mahot et al, 2020). Although fertilizers, pesticides, and disease control techniques boost cocoa productivity (Tchokote et al, 2015;Ngong et al, 2019;Pratama et al, 2019), however, changing climate can also affect how pests and diseases that harm cocoa develops, altering the host's resilience to pesticides (Oyekale, 2015).…”