Determinants of yield differences in small-scale food crop farming systems in Cameroon

Abstract

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, small-scale farmers make up the majority of food producers. While recognizing that the yields per hectare for main food crops are generally low in small-scale food production systems in this region, there are considerable differences in yield output among individual farmers. At the very local scale, why do these differences exist? By examining factors that are associated with yield differences, policy can be better informed and tailored to respond to challenges of food production among this important group of producers. Results: When the influence of biophysical factors is controlled by sampling farmers within the same environment, the analysis distinguishes three clusters of factors with which food crop yield differences can be associated: the input, management and socio-cultural clusters. In the input cluster, the use of basic inputs such as animal droppings and improved seeds do significantly improve yields. However, there are constraints at farm and household levels that may have to be overcome to optimize the availability and use of these inputs. In the farm management cluster, the method of residue management and the control of pests and crop diseases are important in determining yield differences. Issues of gender rights and access to agricultural production resources dominate socio-cultural clusters. Conclusions: Small investments that are properly targeted to improve basic techniques of farming can make an appreciable difference in food crop yields and food security at the local level. While directed investments in services such as extension may contribute significantly to propagate the use of some technologies (composting, residue management, manure use), cost constraints limit the propagation of other technologies (advanced seed development and improvement, production of inorganic fertilizers) to higher levels of food governance systems. Women form an important population among small-scale farmers and play an indispensable role in food production. Addressing constraints to their access to food production resources (physical, financial, cultural, legal) would be a vital step towards sustainably improving food production. Present food demand trends in sub-Saharan Africa offer an opportunity through which many smallholder farming communities can be drawn out of poverty if some local-level challenges to yield improvement can be overcome.

Physiographic characteristics of agricultural lands and farmers’ soil fertility management practices in Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Particularly, farmers on densely populated parts of the country produce everything from the soil and very little remains to reinvest in soil fertility replenishment for the following year (IFPRI 2010). All these farming practices brought disturbances to the ecosystems particularly on soils by disrupting the stable natural biogeochemical processes of nutrient cycle, causing rapid nutrient depletion (Yengoh 2012) and attributing to changes on the landscape characteristics (Alemu 2015; Gebreselassie et al 2015).…”

“…The finding by Moges et al (2013) also indicated lower SOC content in cultivated lands compared to grazing or protected forest areas which was attributed by continuous cultivation, absence of fallowing and erosion. Limited maintenance of soil chemical and physical health is very likely to result poor aggregate stability, decline of soil OM, nutrient related plant stresses and stagnation of crop yields (Gajic et al 2006;Damene 2012;Yengoh 2012) and exacerbates soil degradation. Conversely, studies by Yimer and Abdulkadir (2011), Tematio et al (2011), Oriola and Bamidele (2012) documented an improvement in soil aggregates, SOC, TN, exchangeable cations and CEC due to fallowing.…”

Identification of Major Crop Production Constraints and Technology Needs in H1 Agro-ecology of Alga PA in South Ari District of South Omo Zone

“…The same information also stated by [8]. Also farming practices brought disturbances to the ecosystems particularly on soils by disrupting the stable natural biogeochemical processes of nutrient cycle, causing rapid nutrient depletion [11] and attributing to changes on the landscape characteristics [1] [6].…”

Small Scale Farmers’ Indigenous Agricultural Adaptation Options in the Face of Declining or Stagnant Crop Yields in the Fako and Meme Divisions of Cameroon

“…A study by Epule et al [4] argued that, between 1975 and 2005, there were 20 years during which actual cereal A study by Epule et al [4] argued that, between 1975 and 2005, there were 20 years during which actual cereal production in Cameroon were persistently below projected/expected needed cereal production levels. Yengoh et al [5] verified the role of land management practices and the sociocultural properties of small-scale farmers in establishing differences in crop yields. In addition, Epule et al [6] verified the vulnerability of experiencing food shortages along gender and poverty lines.…”