The substitution of mineral fertilizers by compost from household waste in Cameroon: economic analysis with a partial equilibrium model

Abstract

This paper analyses the possibility of substitution between compost and mineral fertilizer in order to assess the impact on the foreign exchange savings in Cameroon of increasing the use of compost. In this regard, a partial equilibrium model was built up and used as a tool for policy simulations. The review of existing literature already suggests that, the compost commercial value i.e. value of substitution (33,740 FCFA tonne(-1)) is higher compared to the compost real price (30,000 FCFA tonne(-1)), proving that it could be profitable to substitute the mineral fertilizer by compost. Further results from the scenarios used in the modelling exercise show that, increasing the compost availability is the most favourable policy for the substitution of mineral fertilizer by compost. This policy helps to save about 18.55% of the annual imported mineral fertilizer quantity and thus to avoid approximately 8.47% of the yearly total import expenditure in Cameroon. The policy of decreasing the transport rate of compost in regions that are far from the city is also favourable to the substitution. Therefore, in order to encourage the substitution of mineral fertilizer by compost, programmes of popularization of compost should be highlighted and be among the top priorities in the agricultural policy of the Cameroon government.

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

“…The bulkiness of the material and its implied associated cost of transportation to farms seem to discourage wide adoption of this means of fertilization [41]. By combining sensitization with access to transport infrastructure in terms of farm-to-market roads, optimal results may become more feasible [42]. To obtain optimal adoption and use of animal-based and crop-based fertilizer alternatives, increased sensitization is important but not sufficient.…”

Climate Change Perception and Farmers’ Adoption of Sustainable Land Management for Robust Adaptation in Cameroon

“…The outcome is threatened by severe social, environmental and economic consequences such as decreased smallholder farmland productivity and falling rural incomes (Jaza Folefack, 2008). Robust negative impacts of climate variation and climate change have been shown to be contemporaneous constraints to African agriculture (Müller et al, 2011;Roudier, 2011;Schlenker & Lobell, 2010).…”

“…In Cameroon, traditional agricultural practices which exacerbate land degradation, particularly through soil erosion, have negative impacts on farm productivity and environmental quality (Adesina et al, 2000;Jaza Folefack, 2008). The outcome is threatened by severe social, environmental and economic consequences such as decreased smallholder farmland productivity and falling rural incomes (Jaza Folefack, 2008).…”

Assessing the effects of agroecology and conventional farming techniques on small-scale peasant farmers crop yields in the Fako and Meme divisions of Cameroon

“…argued that organic fertilizers can increase production to a certain threshold beyond which further increase can only be achieved through the wise application of inorganic fertilizers. The best scenario for maximum yields is when organic inputs such as manure are combined with inorganic inputs such as nitrogen, potassium and calcium fertilizers (NPK) (Pichot et al, 1981;Bationo and Mokwunye, 1991;Bado et al, 1997;Adesina et al, 2000;Bado et al, 2007;Folefack, 2009). To further support this, in the North West of Ethiopia, Demelash et al (2014) present findings from an entirely experimental approach in which a combination of 6 t compost ha -1 year -1 and 34.5 to 10 kg N-P ha/year produced the highest crop yields of about 521% when compared with other scenarios that had either only organic or inorganic inputs.…”