Article abstract

Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research

Research Article | Published August 2020 | Volume 8, Issue 8 pp. 159-168.

doi: https://doi.org/10.33495/jacr_v8i8.20.137

 

Organic agriculture and its implications to food security: The case of the Likove farmers simplified cooperative society, Sasse, Cameroon

 



 

 

Jicenta N. Foncha*

Estelle F. Assonwa

Daniel E. Mokenge

 

Email Author
Tel: +237675201496.

 

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


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Citation: Foncha JN, Assonwa EF, Mokenge DE (2020). Organic agriculture and its implications to food security: The case of the Likove farmers simplified cooperative society, Sasse, Cameroon. J. Agric. Crop Res. 8(8):159-168. doi: 10.33495/jacr_v8i8.20.137.

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 Abstract 


In Sub-Sahara Africa, small-scale farmers produce mostly food crops that contribute immensely to their livelihoods. These farmers face challenges like: lack of well adapted agricultural technology, infertile soil and fragile ecosystems. Consequently, they experience low agricultural output resulting from crop failure. This study is focused on agriculture adoption strategies and implication to food security in Cameroon: the case of Likove Farmers’ Simplified Cooperative Society, Sasse - Buea. Farm wastes were recycled using low cost and locally available technology to obtain organic manure. The study specifically: a.) identified farm waste, b) analyzed different agricultural enterprises and their outputs, c) assessed the benefits alongside potential up takes by the farmers. Selected PRA tools and questionnaires were used in collecting data from farmers; data were analyzed using descriptive and dependent “t” test. The results indicated that farm wastes used include: Plant residues, livestock and poultry waste. Different agricultural enterprises included: Market gardening, poultry farming, horticulture, beekeeping and staple food crops. Organic Agriculture increased farm produce and improved food security, favors agricultural diversification, improved market access, generated employment, and increased income of farmers. The dependent t-test revealed a significant difference (t = -4.37, p = 0.006) of farmers production before and after introducing Organic Agriculture. Engaging in Organic Agriculture has enabled 8.5% of farmers to improve on agricultural productivity and livelihoods. It is recommended that, the government should encourage and invest in organic agriculture as it contributes to food security, livelihoods and the local economy.

Keywords  Farm waste   organic agriculture   food security   livelihood diversification   increased income  

 

 

Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

 

 

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