Rakia Aladi
Food Security Officer OK FOODS
Cameroon
Title: Farmer’s indigenous practices for conserving and preserving Gnetum africanum (commonly known as Eru) in the humid forest zones of Cameroon
Biography
Biography: Rakia Aladi
Abstract
Traditional approaches for conservation and preservation of Gnetum africanum was assessed by a survey of 15 villages (three per region) in the humid forest zone of Cameroon. Four major land use systems {evergreen forest, degraded forest, bush fallow (10years and over) and food crop fields} were identified as major niches for the species. The distribution of the plant stands varied from region to region. Gnetum africanum is intensively harvested (up to four times per week through the year) and reported to generate substantial income (average US$ 2,630 per household annum). Indigenous practices used by farmers to protect the specie include selective clearing during land preparation for cropping, sustainable bark harvesting of stands in wild population, transportation of wildings, artificial propagation and recognition of individual property ownership on certain wild stands. Methodology includes 15 villages randomly selected in 5 regions (three villages per region) of the humid forest zone of Cameroon spanning 90 households. These households were randomly sampled by interview using a questionnaire focusing on the farmer awareness of the specie (as compared to other species), the exploitation regimes (mode of harvesting and utilization), the revenue and the conservation strategy (traditional practices used by farmers to protect and maintain the plant population). Field measurement was done based on the following aspects: habitat or preferred niches of the specie (place where the specie is usually found and harvested) and the specie frequency per niche (how often the specie is found in their habitat as compared to other species).