Bushland in Mindif Region, Cameroon : functions, decline, context and prospects

Wassouni, W.

Everybody still knows the images of hunger and drought in the dry zones of Africa (the Sahel). These last years the situation for the millions of people living there has stabilised due to the fact that rainfall has not failed. But what about the future? The population is still growing rapidly, and industries to absorb these numbers does not exist. The future of the Sahel depends on the investments of the farmers to improve the productivity of their arable land. But the people are poor, there are no good markets to trade new agricultural products, and there is still some bushland available where new fields may be made if the old fields are exhausted. The dissertation deals with this bushland in the Sahel. In the bush, we find trees, grass and bushes, which are used for cattle, wood supply, medicines and may other functions, such as fallow and hunting. Is it possible to estimate the value of this land? Will all of this bushland be lost in the near future, converted to arable land...Show moreEverybody still knows the images of hunger and drought in the dry zones of Africa (the Sahel). These last years the situation for the millions of people living there has stabilised due to the fact that rainfall has not failed. But what about the future? The population is still growing rapidly, and industries to absorb these numbers does not exist. The future of the Sahel depends on the investments of the farmers to improve the productivity of their arable land. But the people are poor, there are no good markets to trade new agricultural products, and there is still some bushland available where new fields may be made if the old fields are exhausted. The dissertation deals with this bushland in the Sahel. In the bush, we find trees, grass and bushes, which are used for cattle, wood supply, medicines and may other functions, such as fallow and hunting. Is it possible to estimate the value of this land? Will all of this bushland be lost in the near future, converted to arable land to feed the ever higher population? After studying these questions in a specific area in Cameroon, Wassouni concludes that it is unwise to wait till all bushland is used up. Active protection of the bush, by the government but also by local people, is necessary to stimulate the farmers to invest in their land before they have become so poor that they no longer can.Show less

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Bushland in Mindif Region, Cameroon : functions, decline, context and prospects

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