Floristic diversification as a lever for improving compétitive ness in coca based agroforestry systems

Abstract (English)

Cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CFAS) in Cameroon are complex ecosystems requiring sustainable management to maintain their competitiveness. This study explored the relationship between floristic diversity and the competitiveness of cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CFAS) in the communes of Mbangassina and Ngomedzap. To achieve the specific objectives of the study, a socio-economic survey of 120 cocoa farmers was combined with a floristic inventory and field observations. It consisted in setting up a nested plot measuring 30 m x 30 m (900 m2) in each of the 58 CFAS selected, within which the biometric parameters of woody plants with a diameter greater than or equal to 31 cm were measured. Descriptive statistics were used before the relational statistics of the multiple components used to understand the relationships between the competitiveness parameters of the CFAS and their floristic profile. The results show that the CFAS have distinct characteristics in terms of age, level of production and income, and management methods. Thus, 30 SAFCs in the forest zone in the Ngomedzap commune and 28 SAFCs in the forest savannah transition zone in Mbangassina were surveyed. Diversity indices are low in the forest-savannah transition zone and higher in the forest zone. Thus, 44 woody species were recorded in the forest-savannah transition zone and 65 species in the forest zone. The most abundant species found in both communes were Dacryodes edulis, Terminalia superba, Persea americana, Irvingia gabonensis, Milicia excelsa, Ceiba pentandra, Ricinodendron heudelotii and Petersianthus macrocarpus. This is due to farmers' preferences regarding the various ecosystem services provided in the systems and their needs. The results of the multiple component factor analysis show that in the forest zone, the plantations are old, difficult to access, with low income satisfaction, and few members are in the ICGs. On the other hand, in the transition zone, the plantations are younger, accessible, with better production and cocoa farmers who are members of the GIC are satisfied with their income.