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International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

ISSN Print: 2578-3467 Downloads: 188826 Total View: 2777574
Frequency: quarterly ISSN Online: 2578-3475 CODEN: IJFSJ3
Email: ijfsa@hillpublisher.com
Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2019.12.006

Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agro-Forestry Practices: a Strategy for Livelihood Sustainability, in the Mount Oku Region of Cameroon

Jicenta N. Foncha (Phd) 1,*, Asongwe, G. Azinwie (Phd) 1, Che E. Fuh (Msc) 2

1 Department of Development Studies, Pan African Institute for Development-West Africa (PAID-WA) Buea, P.O. Box 133 Buea, South West Region Cameroon.

2 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

*Corresponding author: Jicenta N. Foncha (Phd)

Published: December 25,2019

Abstract

Forests provide adjacent communities with livelihood opportunities; during periods of uncertainty, shocks and stress, indigenous knowledge is used for alternate livelihoods. This study focused on the use of indigenous knowledge by local communities in the creation of agro-forestry alternatives amidst conservation programs in the Mount Oku Forest, North West Region, Cameroon. Based on frontline and secondary villages, three communities were randomly selected from the three tribes (Nso, Kom, and Oku) that make up the forest region. Selected Participatory Rural Appraisal tools were used to collect relevant data. Resources extracted from the forest were ranked; trees extracted from forest and planted in farms were identified, farm produce before and after the practice of agro-forestry was assessed. The paired sample t-test was used to test differences between agricultural productions from farms and livelihood opportunities before and after agro-forestry practices. The results indicated that there was a positive and significant difference (p < 0.05) in agricultural production and livelihood opportunities, viz-a-viz forest cover. Though there was diversification in livelihood opportunities, the lack of incorporation of basic scientific approaches of agro-forestry was a major limitation. There is need for a blend of indigenous and scientific knowledge and training of farmers, in the practicing of agro-forestry practices for forest sustenance and livelihood assurance in the Mt Oku area.

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How to cite this paper

Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agro-Forestry Practices: a Strategy for Livelihood Sustainability, in the Mount Oku Region of Cameroon

How to cite this paper: Foncha, J. N., Asongwe, G. A., Fuh, C. E. (2019) Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agro-Forestry Practices: a Strategy for Livelihood Sustainability, in the Mount Oku Region of Cameroon. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, 3(4), 299-307.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2019.12.006