By Elias Ngalame in CAMPO
Women farmers in the Campo Forest community area, South region of Cameroon say they are now making good harvest from their farms thanks to the use of traditional recycled seeds, an initiative they learned from training by Green Development Advocate, GDA an NGO working on biodiversity conservation in the area.
According to the women in Nkoelon and Mandabe villages in CAMPO forest, the farmers have been able to increase their harvest of cassava, egusi, groundnuts, cocoyams, yams etc thanks to regular availabilty of seeds and plant species they get through exchange during seed fairs regularly organised by GDA,
“ We can say without error that Malaba is leading in cassava production in this area since last year, We now supply “Bobolo” to the entire CAMPO forest region thanks to our improved cassava harvest,” the chief of Malaba said during a field visit by GDA officials and the media to ascertain the impact of the assistance provided these communities in 2023.
Seed systems experts say refer to the network of activities contributing to seed production and delivery to farmers. Formal seed systems are in large part commercial and can come from research institutions, governments and seed companies.
“ But access to these seeds are sometimes very challenging to grassroot rural women who don’t only lack the means to buy them but face transportation challenges to get them formally from prescribed institutions due to bad nature of the roads,” the chief said.
GDA officials say they encourage the use of seeds obtain from informal sector like those sold at local markets or simply exchanged between family and friends, reason why they regularly organise seed fairs to encourage exchange.
“ We promote seed exchange between communities and families as against improved seeds from laboratories, also known as Genetic Modified Organisms, (GMOs). We promote traditional recycled seeds” GDA programme manager Ekane Nkwelle said.
HUMAN/WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Human–wildlife interaction in the CAMPO forest area is critical. Wild animals like Elephants, Guerrillas, and rodents destroy agricultural products and threaten human lives, the farmers complained.
“ Our biggest problem here is the destruction of our crops by animals. Large areas of plantain and cassava farms are regularly destroyed by especially Elephants. We are really helpless in this regard” the chief of Malaba said.
“ Frequently we hear elephants groaning behind our houses at night. Here we don’t travel on foot after 6pm because there’s a high chance on encountering elephants on the way. Its really risky,” he said
Human-wildlife conflict experts say involves when struggles arise from people and animals coming into contact This often leads to people killing animals in self-defence, or as pre-emptive or retaliatory killings, which can drive species to extinction. But it also involves animals destroying farmlands and crops as well as other property.
Community Seed and Knowledge (CSK)
According to a document by GDA, CSK is a process through which indigenous and local seed, related knowledge and practices are revived into the core of all community activities. Community seed is at the centre of food sovereignty and permeates all aspects of life. CSK recognises the important role of indigenous knowledge and local seed diversity, gender roles, community research for improved ecosystems and livelihoods resilien
