TITLE:
Agriculture and Soil Management in the Context of Sustainable Development in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Sidsi Bienvenu, Vounba Claudine, Bahouro Arka, Kolaouna Bruno Labara
KEYWORDS:
Agriculture, Soil Degradation, Climate Change, Food Security, Sudanian-Sahelian Zone, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.11,
November
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: The Sudanian-Sahelian zone of the Far-North Cameroon faces an extreme
climate challenge resulting in increased vulnerability to erosion, soil
degradation, and the effects of climate change, impacting soil fertility and
agricultural yields. The objective of this study was to analyze agricultural
practices, challenges related to climate change and soil degradation, as well
as the solutions adopted by farmers to address these issues. To achieve this,
600 farmers from the six departments of the region were interviewed. The
results highlight the significant impact of climatic conditions on soil health,
agricultural activities, and food security. Farmers identified various
indicators of soil degradation, including agricultural yields, bioindicator
plants, plant growth, soil fauna, and root density. The main causes of soil
degradation are associated with practices such as deforestation, intensive
agriculture, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, overgrazing, and
the effects of climate change. The impacts of this degradation are multiple,
including soil fertility loss, reduced agricultural yields, deforestation,
reduced biodiversity, income loss, water resource pollution, and food
insecurity. In response to these challenges, farmers have adopted sustainable
soil management practices, including crop rotation, intercropping, fallowing,
the use of organic fertilizers, and the adoption of conservation agriculture.
To effectively address these challenges, concerted collaboration between
farmers, civil society organizations, and government authorities is imperative to
develop sustainable and effective solutions against soil degradation in the
region.