Assessment of Stakeholders in Agro-Based Peasant Farming Development in Babadjou Subdivision, West Region, Cameroon

Babadjou sub division, characterized by its fertile volcanic soils, serve as a critical hub for the country’s food security, yet its agro-based peasant farming sector faces persistent challenges regarding productivity, market access, and sustainability. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the multi-layered stakeholder ecosystem driving agricultural development in this area. Through the administration of 107 sampled questionnaires, complemented by semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and direct field observations, the results showed that the stakeholders’ involved in agro-based peasant farming development in Babadjou include; farmers, municipal council, traditional leaders, traditional herbalist, soothsayers, associations, Common Initiative Groups-CIGs, njangi groups, masquerade groups, religious bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations-NGOs. The roles played by these agricultural stakeholders’ are helpful in peasant farming development and span through; conflict resolution, land lending and distribution, sensitization, crops protection, research, aids, road maintenance, creation of markets, and the formation of Common Initiative Groups-CIGs. This paper concludes that sustainable development in agro-based peasant farming in Babadjou, West Region of Cameroon depends on strengthening synergistic partnerships that integrate indigenous governance structures with modern extension services. The study recommends that decision and policymakers should foster cohesive, resilient, and market oriented agricultural environment tailored to the unique socio-cultural context of the West Region of Cameroon.

Community stakeholders, agro-based peasant farming development, Babadjou

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