TITLE:
Analysis of Actors Involved in the Bamboo Value Chain and Strategies for the Development of the Bamboo Sector in the Menoua Division, West Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Alvine Meyabeme, Rene Kaam, Nsim Mike Frederic Eba, Nyong Princely Awazi, Herman Zanguim, Barnabas Neba Nfornkah, Martin Ngankam Tchamba
KEYWORDS:
Bamboo, Bamboo Vulgarization, Strategic Framework, Actors, Menoua Division, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
20,
2022
ABSTRACT: Bamboo is an important non-timber forest product owing to its
multipurpose nature. In Cameroon, bamboo has always been neglected and seen as
worthless by many communities. However, in recent years, bamboo
has received renewed attention which has made many communities and different
stakeholders to gain interest in the resource. This study which was carried out
in the Menoua division, West region of Cameroon between February to July 2021
sought to identify and characterise the actors involved in the bamboo sector,
and assess the different strategies that could be employed to develop the
bamboo sector. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods in 6 sub-divisions
in Menoua division (Dschang, Santchou, Fongo Tongo, Fokoué, Penka Michel and
Nkong-Ni). For the selection of study sites, the criterion used was the
proximity of households to the area where the bamboo resource is found. Using
the simple random sampling method, 53 households were surveyed across the
Menoua division. Key informant and expert interviews were also conducted with
mayors, traditional chiefs, heads of forestry posts, heads of research
institutions/structures and craftsmen involved in the bamboo sector. Using
SPHINX software version 5, a survey form was designed. The data collected was
coded and analysed using EXCEL 2010 and SPSS. Map data was analysed using
ARCGIS version 2.18. Results indicated that there were two main groups of
actors: direct actors (collectors, collectors/transporters,
producers/collectors, producers/collectors/transporters, collectors/traders) and indirect actors (Municipal Councils, Decentralized
Services of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife—MINFOF, Development partners like INBAR,
Research Institutions like the Institute of Agricultural Research for
Development—IRAD, and academic
institutions like the University of Dschang). The direct actors are directly
linked to the bamboo value chain while the indirect actors are those whose
decisions influence the sector (e.g. MINFOF) or those who provide financial and
technical support (Municipal Councils, INBAR; IRAD, the University of Dschang).
The main strategies proposed by the local population for the development of the
bamboo sector were regular sensitization campaigns on the benefits of bamboo
(92%) and the provision of technical, material and financial support to bamboo
producers (41%). Key informants/experts proposed the following in order to
ensure the development of the bamboo sector in the Menoua division: raising
awareness about bamboo, its different varieties and benefits; creating bamboo
plantations (with varieties adapted to the agro-ecological zone i.e. the
western highlands) in order to reduce the pressure on other resources; setting
up support mechanisms for producers and other actors in the bamboo value chain;
allocating land/agricultural areas for bamboo plantations as there is land
scarcity in the Menoua division. Based on the strategic framework developed
from this study, in order to ensure an adequate and effective development of
the bamboo sector in the Menoua division, there should be among others:
multiplication of awareness-raising and training programmes for farmers on
bamboo production techniques; more support for smallholder farmers by providing
them bamboo plants in quality and quantity; production of bamboo stems in
quality and quantity; more awareness campaigns for young craftsmen on the
advantages of the bamboo craft sector; more training campaigns for craftsmen on
modern bamboo processing techniques; and the establishment of a well-developed
and sustainable bamboo-based craft sector.