consultancy report on vegetable seeds...integrated agricultural systems for the humidtropics, a...
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Integrated Agricultural Systems for the Humidtropics, a CGIAR Research Project
Consultancy Report on Vegetable Seeds
Baseline survey for setting up smallholders’ sustainable vegetable seed supply and distribution
system in humid tropics areas of Cameroon
Team Members
Tata Precillia Ijang (Team leader)
Dr Ngome Francis
Godswill Ntsomboh Ntsefong
Ngayong Joseph Wirngo
December 2013
Executive Summary
The Cameroon seed sector is developing slowly and steadily and there is political will
through government legislation and requirements to foster the development of the sector with a
view to boosting the agricultural sector as well as stimulating the economy as a whole. The seed
sector activity is regulated by law No 2001/014 of 23rd July 2001 relating to seed production and
marketing and its instruments of application. Decision No 541/MINADER/SG/DRCQ/SDRSQV
of 7th September 2006 on the homologation of official technical regulation of quality control of
certain vegetable seeds complements the law of July 2001 and specifically applies to the
production, importation and quality control and marketing of vegetable seeds.
The public sector has a definite contribution to promote the development of the seed
sector in Cameroon. Through the Department of Quality Regulation and Control of Inputs and
Agricultural Products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the state ensures
regulation of seeds and vegetable quarantine as well as the breeding of various species of seeds.
At present this department controls one national breeding centre and ten regional ones that
supply seeds to various stakeholders of the seed sector in Cameroon. The role of public sector is
mainly catalytic in initiating seed production, quality control, seed certification, notification and
registration of varieties and other regulatory systems.
Despite state regulation of the seed sector activity, the public sector is yet to engage itself
in the production of vegetable seeds. Government provides the regulatory mechanism for the
production, importation, quality control and marketing of specific vegetable seeds laid down in a
decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development both for the public as well as
private seed multiplication and breeding companies.
Three private local companies are involved in seed multiplication and breeding programmes.
Grenier du Monde Rural (GMR), Semences de Qualité Garantie (SQG) and Farmer’s House
multiply vegetable seeds in Cameroon concentrating mainly on indigenous species. Majority of
vegetable seeds available on the market are imported from abroad by private distribution
enterprises of which TROPICASEM is the biggest.
Alongside imported species and other indigenous species produced by the
aforementioned local companies, an informal vegetable seed sector exists on a rather negligible
scale and provides local varieties or species which may be of dubious quality given that they are
produced by individual vendors on a small scale using traditional and rudimentary production
techniques to satisfy both the domestic and commercial needs of smallholders. The latter species
of vegetable seeds do not go through the scrutiny requirements of state inspectors and controllers
to certify quality standards before they are marketed to smallholders.
Table of Content
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2
I GENERAL INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 6
1.1. Background to the study ................................................................................................... 7
1.1.1. Description of Cameroon’s agricultural potentials and agro-ecological regions .......... 7
1.1.2. Cameroon’s agriculture: farming system and crop diversity .................................. 10
1.2 The traditional agricultural sector .................................................................................. 11
1.3 The modern agricultural sector ...................................................................................... 12
1.4 Livestock and Forestry production ................................................................................. 12
II LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE VEGETABLE SECTOR IN CAMEROON ................ 14
2.1 Vegetables ...................................................................................................................... 14
2.2 Vegetable Seed ............................................................................................................... 14
III Appreciation of the terms of reference ................................................................................. 16
IV Study approach and tools used .............................................................................................. 18
4.1 Sampling design and strategy ......................................................................................... 18
4.2 Research steps ................................................................................................................ 19
4.2.1 Preliminary field visit ............................................................................................. 19
4.2.2 Literature review, Questionnaire Design and Testing ............................................ 20
4.2.3 Data entry and analysis ........................................................................................... 21
V RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ........................................................................................... 22
5.1 Policy and regulatory environment affecting the national vegetable seed sector .......... 22
5.1.1 Vegetable Seed Production and Certification ......................................................... 23
5.1.2 Limitation of the policy and regulatory environment affecting vegetable seed sector
24
5.2. Types/channels of vegetable seed production and distribution systems ............................ 25
5.2.1 Informal seed system .............................................................................................. 25
5.2.2 Formal seed system ................................................................................................. 27
5.2.3 Complementarities of different seed sector activities and possibilities for
improvement ......................................................................................................................... 27
5.2.4 Major constraints of the vegetable seed sector in Cameroon ................................. 28
5.2.5. Vegetable variety release system in Cameroon .......................................................... 30
5.3. Current situation of existing vegetable farming and cropping systems ................................. 30
5.3.1 Socio-political and economic situation in the study sites ....................................... 30
5.3.2 Vegetable found in the action sites ......................................................................... 32
5.3.3. Vegetable farming and cropping systems ............................................................... 35
5.3.4. Major problems linked to vegetable seed farming in Cameroon ............................ 37
5.3.5. Farmers perception and demand of vegetable seeds ............................................... 38
5.4.1 Institutions involved in vegetable seed production in Cameroon ........................... 41
5.4.2 Structures or organisations distributing vegetables seeds to farmers in Cameroon 41
5.4.3 Some basic vegetables seeds either produced locally or imported ......................... 43
5.5. Vegetable seed requirement versus farmers demand for vegetable seeds ......................... 44
5.6. Farmers preferences for vegetable types............................................................................ 45
5.7. Local Vegetable varieties and preference per action site................................................... 46
5.8. Critical bottlenecks and opportunities to improve formal and informal seed supply chain
................................................................................................................................................... 48
VI ACTIVITY PLAN AND COSTING .................................................................................... 52
VII CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................ 52
7.1. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 52
7.2. Recommandations .......................................................................................................... 52
VIII REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 53
8.1. Policy and legal instruments .................................................................................................. 53
8.2. Technical bulletins ............................................................................................................. 54
8.3. Scientific articles, books and proceedings ......................................................................... 54
IX APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................... 58
9. 1 Questionnaires ................................................................................................................ 58
9.2 Pictures ........................................................................................................................... 58
9.3 Persons Contacted .......................................................................................................... 60
9.4. Farmers/farmers organisations as per a MINADER raw data ........................................... 61
I GENERAL INTRODUCTION
A consultancy study was commissioned between October and December, 2013 by the
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center on the vegetable seeds production systems in three
action sites; west region (Bafoussam), the south region (Ebolowa) and the South west region
(Buea) in Cameroon. The purpose of this was to formulate a methodology for vegetable seed
sector analysis within and incorporation into an integrated farming system (annual crops,
agroforestry and livestock) framework such that the approach could be applied across other
Action Sites of the Humidtropics. This scoping study on the vegetable seed sector include
existing variety use to identify opportunities and constraints to vegetable-based agricultural
intensification, current technologies, and the potential for introduction of new crops and/or
varieties into existing farming systems that will contribute in improving farmers wellbeing and
food security, reducing poverty and enhancing environmental conservation. The study was
financed by The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) through the Humidtropics program, which
is a CGIAR program designed to address major global development challenges particularly rural
poverty, food insecurity, poor nutrition and health, and the sustainable management of natural
resources. The objective of the study was to assess the vegetable seed supply and distribution
system and related issues affecting target communities and beneficiaries of the Humidtropics
Program with respect to and establishing benchmark indicators for subsequent integrated
research and development interventions required to achieve the four system level outcomes of
the humidtropics.
Specifically, the study intended to:
• Review the policy and regulatory environment affecting the national vegetable seed
sector, including: intellectual property rights, royalty system, cultivar release, importation
and exportation (quarantine) and establishment of local and international private seed
enterprises;
• Determine and describe the various types/channels (formal, semi-formal and informal) of
vegetable seed production and distribution systems of the focus Action Sites of
Cameroon;
• Assess the current situation of existing vegetable farming systems vis-à-vis potential for
vegetable integration and/or diversification within the socio-political and economic
conditions;
• Identify institutions producing and supplying vegetable seeds to farmers, and assess their
capacity for vegetable breeding, cultivar assessment, promotion and marketing, quality
seed production and distribution on the action sites;
• Estimate vegetable seed requirements versus farmers demand for vegetable seed in the
study area;
• Understand and document farmers preference for vegetable types, preferred varieties and
criteria for their preference based on their perceptions;
• Understand and document critical bottlenecks and opportunities to improve the formal or
informal seed supply chains in the action sites;
• Recommend future strategies for a viable vegetable seed system and distribution within
the study area.
This report presents results of surveys conducted on the field and consultations carried
out with various actors in the Cameroon vegetable seed sector. The report places much emphasis
on traditional vegetables although in some cases, some exotic vegetables are mentioned to
improve on clarity. This introductory chapter of the report, in addition to providing an overview
of the study, defines vegetable seed, examines vegetable seed production and certification, and
vegetable seed trade in Cameroon.
1.1. Background to the study
1.1.1. Description of Cameroon’s agricultural potentials and agro-ecological
regions
Cameroon, often described as ‘Africa in miniature’, is located between latitudes 2°N and
13°N. It has a wide range of climatic types, from the wet southern regions near the equator to the
dry northern ones around the Lake Chad basin. It is crossed diagonally by the Cameroon
Volcanic Line. It covers a surface area of some 475,000 km2. The country is divided into ten
administrative regions which are themselves split into 56 divisions as of September 1992. In
terms of biodiversity, Cameroon is one of the most important countries in Africa and in the
world. There are varied landscapes with alternating plains, plateaus and highlands in Cameroon.
The main physical units are: (i) the coastal lowlands between the Atlantic Ocean and the
continental high plateaus; (ii) the south Cameroon plateau in the southern and southeastern
portion of the country, stretching from the western highlands and the Adamaoua plateau to the
borders of the country, and ranging from 250 to 800 meters in altitude; (iii) the Adamaoua
plateau in the center of the country, with an average altitude of 1,100 meters; (iv) the western
highlands, including Mount Cameroon; and (v) the northern plain, which begins at the northern
foot of the Adamaoua plateau (Shapiro, Tollens & Wyeth, 1992).
There are two main climatic types, the equatorial and the tropical, which are divided into
the following sub-types.
Guinea equatorial: Covering nearly one-third of Cameroon, this climatic type is found in the
southern part of the country, much of which belongs to the southern plateau. Part of it extends to
the southern limit of the Adamawa Region. This climatic type has rainfall all year round and is
noted for its double maxima (annual rainfall 1500 to 2000mm; average annual temperatures
about 25°C; high relative humidity).
Equatorial monsoon: This climatic type extends from the coast around Kribi and covers part of
the western high plateau. The annual rainfall ranges from 2000 to 10,000mm, being especially
high where Cameroon’s volcanic massif comes close to the coast. Debundscha with nearly
10,000mm per year is the second rainiest place on the earth after Chirapunji in India. The amount
of rainfall decreases from the coastal areas towards the interior highlands (Limbe 4000mm,
Dschang 3000mm and Bamenda 2000mm). The average annual temperature for this high altitude
climatic type is about 21°C, with a mean range of 22°C.
Tropical humid: As rainfall decreases northwards the lowland and highland equatorial climate
gives way to the tropical humid type (Sudan climate). This extends from the southern regions to
the 900mm isohyet in the northern regions. Rainfall is spread over about four or five months
only, while the other months are dry. The vegetation types reflect the rainfall distribution.
Sudano-Sahelian: This is the northernmost climatic type, extending from Maroua to the Lake
Chad basin. It is characterized by a short rainy season and a marked dry season (rainfall from
900mm around Maroua to 500mm around Kousseri, and 400mm around the shores of Lake
Chad; mean annual temperatures 28°C).
Agro-ecological zones of Cameroon
Based on the climatic conditions, the vegetation, soils and altitude, Cameroon has been divided
into five agro-ecological zones (IRAD Cameroon, 2008). The agro-ecological zones and
principal crop and livestock activities are as follows (Figure 1):
Figure 1: Agro ecological zones of Cameroon and research structures (Source: IRAD, 2008)
Sudano-Sahelian Zone:This zone is characterized by monomodal rainfall from above 1,000 mm
south of Garoua to less than 800 mm north of Garoua (less than 500 mm around Lake Chad).
The vegetation growth period here is 180 to 110 days and crops grown are millet, sorghum,
irrigated rice, peanuts, sesame, and cotton while livestock includes cattle, sheep, and goats.
High Guinean Savanna Zone: Characterized by monomodal rainfall of 1,600 mm (Ngaoundere)
with a rapid decrease towards the north. Its vegetation growth period is 240 to 180 days and
crops grown include sorghum, maize, peanuts, and robusta coffee in the south in low topographic
locations. Livestock in this zone is mainly cattle.
Western High Plateaus Zone: The monomodal rainfall here is 2,000 to less than 4,000 mm with
vegetation growth period of 280 days. Crops grown are maize, rice, plantains, bananas, cassava,
taro, cocoyams, potatoes, vegetables, arabica coffee. Livestock includes cattle, pigs, poultry,
goats, and sheep.
Humid Forest Zone with Monomodal Rainfall Regime: In this zone, rainfall is 3,000 to less than
4,000 mm and the vegetation growth period is more than 300 days. Crops grown include oil
palm, robusta coffee, cocoa, rubber, roots and tubers while livestock is essentially pigs and goats.
Humid Forest Zone with Bimodal Rainfall Regime: Here, rainfall is 1,600 to 2,000 mm (IRAD,
2008) and the vegetation growth period is 300 days. Crops grown are robusta coffee, cocoa, oil
palm, roots and tubers, and maize. Livestock includes pigs and goats.
1.1.2. Cameroon’s agriculture: farming system and crop diversity
In Cameroon, agriculture occupies about 2.3 million hectares (15 %) of a total of more
than 15 million hectares of cultivable land. Therefore, the overall pressure on land is low.
Migration from rural to urban areas is considerable and selective by age, sex, and education. The
age distribution of the farm population from the 1984 Agricultural Census shows a distinct drop-
off in the relatively productive 25-44 age range, and females outnumber males among those aged
15-54 and especially in the 25-44 age range. Thus, the burden of food production is being placed
on an ever smaller portion of the population, and this farm population is increasingly devoid of
prime-aged males. However, food security is good over most of the country, even though it is
precarious in the Far North. Furthermore, population pressure has been severe enough in some
areas of high agricultural potential, such as the West and Northwest regions, that increasingly
marginal land has been cultivated; particularly very steep slopes where soils are liable to erode
rapidly (Shapiro, Tollens and Wyeth, 1992).
Cameroon’s vegetation is an inter-tropical vegetation with a humid southern forest and a
central savanna as well as mountain forests and prairies. Of the total surface area covered by
Cameroon, 11 % is located in a "dry savanna" type zone, 20% in a "humid highland savanna"
zone and 58% in a "humid dense forest" zone, the remainder being in transition zones. Of the
175,000 km2 of non-degraded closed forest, 140,000 km2 are considered exploitable.
The crop diversity in Cameroon is very rich, impressive and contributes to the country’s
food security. The large varieties of ecosystems support a wide range of crops which include
main food-stuffs, fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants. Although the main food items
are generalized, there is a wide range on the choice food items particularly the vegetables and
spice food items. In the Cameroon tradition, every ethnic group identifies itself with a range of
foods and vegetable crops. In Moghamo Clan for instance, there are over 7 vegetable species and
9 yam species, meanwhile there are 15 generalized vegetables and 7 locally used for various
Oroko dishes. Some wild food and spices like the country onions, bush pepper and eru are now
under cultivation in some rural communities (Anonymous 1).
1.2 The traditional agricultural sector
The traditional sector in agriculture produces most of the food crops and is also largely
responsible for production of several key export crops, including virtually all the cocoa, coffee,
and cotton. There are about 1.2 million smallholder farms, with total planted area per farm being
between 1.5 and 2 hectares (first and second plantings combined). Food crop production in the
southern parts of the country includes root crops, plantains and bananas as the staples in most
areas, followed by grains and pulses. In the northern part of the country, sorghum, millet and rice
are the main crops. Imports of food crops have been increasing though objective appreciation of
production data is limited by methodological problems in collecting data on continuously
harvested crops, considerations concerning quality control in the field, and high coefficients of
variation for less commonly produced crops (Shapiro, Tollens and Wyeth, 1992). The West and
Northwest regions as well as the South region are well suited to producing food crops including
vegetables and fruits. However, traditional agriculture is less developed in the South because of
higher level of hunting and wild gathering activities (Robiglio et al., 2010).
1.3 The modern agricultural sector
The modern agricultural sector operated by both private enterprise and the state is
characterized by large areas of cultivated land. The World Bank reported a total area planted of
139.000 ha in 1989. The sector mainly produces crops like bananas (by CDC, SBM, SPNP,
PHP), maize (by MAISCAM), rice (by SEMRY), palm oil (by CDC, PAMOL, SAFACAM,
SOCAPALM, SPFS), rubber (by CDC, HEVECAM, SAFACAM), sugar cane (by SOSUCAM,
CAMSUCO), tea (CDC) and tobacco (Shapiro, Tollens and Wyeth, 1992). Most of these
plantations are located in the South West region of Cameroon.
Some indications concerning farm incomes in the traditional sector from the 1984
Agricultural Census data on gross revenues from sales of crops and livestock reveal that average
sales per farm were highest by far in the Southwest and Littoral regions. They were lowest in the
Far North, and low in the North and West regions. Over half of gross sales revenue came from
export and industrial crops, compared to 40 percent from food crops and less than 10 percent
from livestock. At present, the relative share of income from export crops is undoubtedly lower
than it was in 1984, and income from food crops is most likely more important (Shapiro, Tollens
and Wyeth, 1992).
1.4 Livestock and Forestry production
In 1990, the livestock population amounted to 3 million cattle, 3.8 million sheep and
goats, 400 thousand pigs, and over 7 million poultry. Apart from a limited amount of modem
poultry production, most animals are in the traditional sector and suffer from high rates of
mortality, reflecting inadequate access to animal health services and appropriate inputs
(Douffissa and Tsangueu, 1992; Shapiro, Tollens and Wyeth, 1992). Fish production takes place
off of Cameroon's 360 km of coastline in the Gulf of Guinea as well as in inland waters and (to a
limited degree) inland fish farming. Forestry production is an increasingly important export,
especially given the poor showing in the traditional categories of exports (Shapiro, Tollens and
Wyeth, 1992). Biodiversity is particularly high in the Cameroonian forests (Gartlan, 1992). This
biodiversity provides a great potential for ecotourism and for non-timber forest exploitation
(Shapiro, Tollens and Wyeth, 1992).
II LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE VEGETABLE SECTOR IN
CAMEROON
2.1 Vegetables
Vegetables refer to edible plants commonly collected/cultivated for human consumption
(Agudo, 2005) which could be indigenous (native to a region) or exotic (imported and
domesticated) (Weinberger and Msuya, 2004). In the developing world, most farmers source a
bulk of their seeds from informal channels. Vegetable farming provides jobs for the
underprivileged and school dropouts especially in rural and peri-urban areas. They also serve as
a sure source of micronutrient and as a quick source of income to poor farmers. The vegetable
sector especially indigenous vegetables are plagued with poor access to improved seeds which
has compromised yields and productivity. The use of farmer produced seeds has mostly resulted
in high seedling mortality and has rendered serious challenges to the success of crop productivity
and improvement initiatives.
In Cameroon, vegetables which include tomato, hot pepper, sweet pepper, onion,
cabbage, amaranth, okra, nightshade, eggplant, jute mallow, huckerberry, bitterleaf, are the most
domesticated of all food crops and their production is a year-round activity. The rural population
accounts for about 60% of vegetable production most of who are women. Vegetable production
is highly intensive with comparatively high expenditure on labour, irrigation, fertilization,
pesticides, mechanization, including efforts to minimize the use of pesticides through sustainable
practices. Coupled with this is the short cycle nature of many vegetable crops, their high
perishability, the requirement of a ready-to-go market and incentive policy environment required
for a viable vegetable sector.
2.2 Vegetable Seed
The basis of agricultural production and the nutrition of mankind is seed. Seed, in
agricultural terms, means in the widest sense any materials that are used to plant crops (Mutlu,
2001). These include dried seeds such as cabbage, tomato or pepper and propagating material
such as potatoes grown from tubers, cassava from cuttings, onion from grains, waterleaf and
bitter leaf from stems.
Seed carries the physiological basis for vital crop development, and the genetic basis for
the adaptation of the crop to both growing conditions and product preferences. Thus, the quality
of seed available to farmers determines to a large extent the amount of harvest. There are three
types of seeds; pre-basic seeds, basic seeds and certified seeds (IRAD, 2011). Pre basic seeds are
“breeder seeds”, available at research stations. Basic seeds are seeds obtained by multiplying pre
basic seeds. Certified seeds are seeds which are of direct descent from basic seeds of a cultivar
that is intended for the production of crops for purposes other than seed production (Mutlu,
2001).
A distinction has to be made between a seed that fits the definition thereof and quality
seed that requires to germinate well using the right farming techniques. Section 2 of Law No
2001/014 of 23rd July 2001 defines a seed as ‘all or part of a plant organism enabling the
multiplication or its production thereof, namely a grain, cutting, seedling, sucker, tuber, bulb,
spore or vitro plant. Even though mention is not made of the quality of the seed, section 3 of the
same law stipulates that seed activity is carried out under state control which shall set recognized
technical standards relating to seeds, and ensure quality control and certification of seeds. From a
purely technical view point, farmers require seed that meets the following five main criteria (van
der Burg, 2007):
• It should be of the right quality. First of all, it should have the right genetic composition,
i.e. be of the right variety and be sufficiently pure (varietal identity and purity). Secondly,
it should have sufficient physical quality, i.e. be free from weeds and inert material
(analytical purity); and lastly it should have sufficient physiological quality, i.e.
germinate readily and producing a percentage of normal seedlings (germination capacity
and vigour).
• It should be available in the right quantities. The type and size of the packages must
answer the farmer’s needs; and the quantities should be sufficient for his needs.
• It should also be available at the right time because if the seed is supplied too late, the
crop may miss essential weeks of the growing season.
• It should equally be available at the right place. If the seed is not easily accessible and the
costs of travel to get it are too high, then it is difficult for the farmer to judge the need to
buy it. It should be available in shops nearby.
• Last but not least, it is important that the farmer has a choice. For this to be a reality there
should be different varieties of the same crop, because even in one area the soil and
Climatic conditions, as well as the farmers’ and end-users preferences vary; and he
should also have several suppliers to choose from. Some suppliers give better after-sales
service (crop advice), have better-suited varieties or produce physically better seeds.
It should be noted that farmers in Cameroon are being served by a growing number of varieties
and suppliers. It is one of the key elements to develop the vegetable sector further.
III Appreciation of the terms of reference
This consultancy involved conducting a scoping study of the vegetable seed sector, seed
production and distribution value chains including existing variety use of major vegetables
cultivated. Emphasis was placed on the identification of the constraints and the spatial, time,
information and value gaps in seed supply systems and opportunities for improving access to
quality seeds within the context of integrating vegetables into existing agricultural production
systems.
The terms of reference (ToR) were clear and understandable. It covered many aspects
paramount to the vegetable seed sector. It was particularly interesting to the vegetable seed
sector in Cameroon because it helped to bring out the loopholes and limitations in this sector.
However, we experienced minor difficulties in the implementation of the ToR, which could be
summarized as follows:
- The vegetable seed sector in Cameroon is mostly informal, thus it was difficult to capture
some information in the field as per the ToR;
- The time allocated for the study both for data collection and report writing was
apparently short, this may explain the delay in the submission of report as per the ToR.
Considering the above difficulties in implementing the ToR, it is recommended that ToRs of
future studies regarding the vegetable seed sector in Cameroon emphasize on the informal seed
sector. Additionally, time allocation for data collection and reporting should be sufficient enough
to accommodate local realities such as distances between target sites, climatic hindrances
(rainfall) and social commitments (death celebrations and other cultural activities) that influence
scheduling of meetings with communities or appointments with resource persons.
IV Study approach and tools used
4.1 Sampling design and strategy
Due to the extensive nature of vegetable production, the quota sampling approach (Guijt
and Woodhill, 2002) was used for the selection of villages within the action sites. Thus, sampling
was done at three levels; villages were grouped into high and low vegetable production zones
and two villages were selected from each of these categories (high or low vegetable production).
This gives total of four villages per action site. Only villages that were accessible were
considered. Geographical reference points were taken for each of these villages, which were later
used to locate the villages in a map (Figure 2). Thereafter, through the help of the village chief
and notables, households in the village were invited for meeting during which they were asked to
list and rank vegetables found in the environment by order of importance for food and for sales.
During such meetings, fifteen households were randomly selected for interviews based on
their willingness to participate in the survey. In this selection, efforts were made to include
female headed households and rich and poor households. A fix sampling frame was used since
we had already set predefined criteria for drawing our sample and were sure to capture both
strong and weak vegetable farmers in robust and fragile communities. As well this approach is
appropriate for this assignment considering the time frame and the fact that we want to develop
baseline indicators that should be suitable for all communities and farmers in the action sites.
The selected households were later on interviewed on their vegetable and vegetable seed
production strategies.
Figure 2: Targeted villages within vegetable action sites in the humidtropics of Cameroon
(Source, author)
4.2 Research steps
4.2.1 Preliminary field visit
Preliminary field visits were carried out to seed department of the Ministry of
Agriculture, the seed projects of Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD),
IITA, regional delegates of agriculture in the three Action Sites, AVRDC staff, heads of IRAD
offices at Action sites, seed companies in Douala and Yaounde, leaders of farmers’ associations
on vegetable farming etc. During these visits, some key personnel were met for in-depth
discussion on the seed sector and important documents collected. As well, some main vegetable
markets in Douala like Sandaga at Deido, Grand hanger and Rail markets in Bonaberi and the
Mokolo and Mfundi markets in Yaounde together with a handful of Agrodealers1 were also
visited. These Agrodealers include Buyam sellams, representatives of companies like Holland
Farming Cameroon Sarl, Tropicasem – SEMAGRI, Agro-Shop Sarl, Etablissement Disef, GIC
GEMAC and several mixed shops. Data collected during these preliminary field visits were used
to design the questionnaire.
4.2.2 Literature review, Questionnaire Design and Testing
A comprehensive desk review of all relevant documents was made: books, records,
reports, publications and related government documentation (legal texts, codes, laws, decrees,
arêtes, circulars, action plans, etc). The literature review on government documentation was
complemented with key informant interviews during preliminary field visits. The literature
review and key informant interviews laid emphasis on what the law says on seed production as a
whole, vegetable seeds in particular, the magnitude of production and distribution of these seeds,
official licenses and distribution channels and constraints observed in the vegetable seed sector
and how this is being uplifted by the law and government policies in place. Questionnaires were
designed for farmers and distributors.
Farmers’ questionnaires dwelled on six sections expanding on family/household (HH)
profile, household socio-economic characteristics, and information on farming systems and
vegetables fields, information on vegetable seeds, perceptions on vegetable sector and training
and extension. Distributors questionnaires expatiated on personal data, characteristics of
vegetable seeds, inventory of clients, problems with vegetable seed business and farmers
perception on vegetable seeds. The farmer’s questionnaire was pre-tested at the IRAD
Nkolbisson neighbourhood in Yaounde, while the distributor’s questionnaire was tested with
agrodealers in Yaounde. One thing that came out clear during the testing was that the vegetable
seed sector was still very traditional and therefore formal discussions related to vegetable seeds
1 Agro dealers is a term employed in this document to describe all those involved in the commercialization of
agricultural inputs from equipment, pesticides, fertilizers etc to planting materials. This is because in Cameroon,
most of the time these products are sold in the same shop especially at the retailer level.
were not frequent especially regarding traditional vegetables. Considering that this was an
interesting result and a more tangible reason to reinforce actions on the vegetable sector, we
maintained the questionnaire so as to verify this assertion on the field. A total of 178 farmers and
58 agro dealers were interviewed for this work in all the action sites. Of this, 60 (34%) farmers
were from Ebolowa, 58 (33%) from Buea and 60 (34%) from Bafoussam.
4.2.3 Data entry and analysis
The questionnaires were verified to check responses for consistency. Latter, data was
entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet using the responses as presented in the questionnaire
and not numeric codes. Although this is time and energy consuming, it is particularly important
as it gives the chance to capture the real impression of the respondent and some ideas that were
not initially included in the questionnaire. It also reduces the margin of error and possibility of
masking field realities. By using the Data-sorting function in excel, the responses were latter
regrouped into similar categories which were now coded, transferred into SPSS statistical
package and used for the analysis.
Based on the study findings, a methodology for vegetable seed sector analysis within an
integrated farming systems framework applicable across other Action Sites of the respective
countries of the assignment is supposed to be developed. This means that two main aspects were
expected from the analysis – policy analysis including marketing channels and commercial
actors and farming systems analysis together with farmers’ perspectives. Texts and legal
instruments were analysed using document analysis approach.
V RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of this study are presented following the specific objectives in the ToR. A
brief discussion is made on how these results would be used to formulate a methodology for
vegetable seed sector analysis applicable across other Action Sites within an integrated farming
systems framework.
5.1 Policy and regulatory environment affecting the national vegetable seed sector
The vegetable seed sector is organized in conformity with the stipulations of law No
2001/014 of 23rd July 2001 relating to seed production and marketing and its instruments of
application, together with Decision No 541/MINADER/SG/DRCQ/SDRSQV of 7th September
2006 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) on the homologation
of official technical regulation of the control of certain vegetable seeds. Other legal instruments
that can impact on the vegetable seed sector include:
• Law No 2001/014 of 23rd July 2001 relating to seed production and marketing;
• Law No 2003/003 of 21st April 2003 on phytosanitary protection;
• Decree No 2005/153 of 4th May 2005 on the creation, organization and functioning of
the National Seed and the New Plant Variety Council;
• Decree No 2005/169 of 26th May 2005 on the creation, organization and management of
the Seed Fund;
• Decree No 2005/3090/PM of 29th August 2005 laying down the quality and missions of
sworn-in seed control and certification officers;
• Decree No 2005/3091/PM of 29th August 2005 laying down modalities for production,
quality control and marketing of seeds;
• Decree No 2005/0771/PM of 6th April 2005 fixing the modalities of execution of
vegetable quarantine operations;
• Decree No 2005/0772/PM of 6th April 2005 fixing homologation and control conditions
of phytosanitary products;
• Decree No 2005/0769/PM of 6th April 2005 on the organization of the Phytosanitary
National council;
• Joint Order No 380/MINADER/MINCOMERCE of 7th August 2006 laying down
specifications for production, importation and marketing of seeds;
5.1.1 Vegetable Seed Production and Certification
The law lays down specifications for the production, importation and the certification of
quality standards thereof. Decree No 2005/3091/PM of 29th August 2005 lays down modalities
for production and quality control of seeds. Even though this decree does not specifically refer to
vegetable seed in particular, there is a clear and distinct intention of the government to encourage
the production and certification of vegetable seeds in Cameroon. As aforementioned, Decision
No 541/MINADER/SG/DRCQ/SDRSQV of 7th September 2006 on the homologation of official
technical regulation of quality control of certain vegetable seeds covers an exhaustive list of the
basic vegetables’ seeds that are either produced or imported into the country to meet farmers’
needs.
Three main categories of vegetable seeds were identified at the local level and highly
visible in the Bafoussam Action site. Hybrid seeds cost 50,000FCFA per 50g, composite seeds
5000 FCFA per 100g and washed seeds (semences lavées) which cost about 1000 FCFA per
100g. Washed seeds were mostly farmer’s produced seeds from composite and hybrid seeds. In
the Buea action site, one may conclude that there were mostly washed seeds as these were
farmers’ selected seeds. However, during field interviews it was said that most seeds especially
for nightshade were bought from the local market and the farmers reported that they preferred
seeds from Bafoussam because they were highly productive. However from this interview it was
not clear if these seeds were composite or washed seeds. But looking at the prices they bought
the seeds; one could immediately deduce that they were washed seeds.
The selection of washed seeds locally was done by identifying healthy plant stems and
reserving them to grow to maturity and produce seeds. At maturity, the healthier fruits were
harvested and kept in a dry place to get rotten by itself and when very soft the rest was marched
gentling being careful not to damage the seeds. The decayed and or softened fruits are then either
washed with ordinary water to strain out the seeds or they are dried and preserved.
Hybrid and composite seeds were mostly produced by GMR in Bangante and some big
farmers groups. In the Ebolowa and Buea action sites, mostly farmer’s reserved seeds were used
without much specification about the type of seeds. Most vegetable seeds in these areas were
seen as free and therefore people harvested and shared vegetable seeds and seedlings with their
neighbours. In some rare cases people sold germinated seedlings in the local markets.
5.1.2 Limitation of the policy and regulatory environment affecting vegetable
seed sector
Despite these official regulations and other policy instruments in the vegetable seed
sector, both the public and private sectors in Cameroon do not seem to demonstrate enough
seriousness and effort in the production of vegetable seeds thereby making dependency on
imported species indispensable. Public-private partnerships are still weak despite the fact that a
national seed board whose duty is to bring the public and private sectors together with a view to
advising government on all technical issues related to seeds, had already been set up in the
country. Even though its focus is not vegetable seeds, the board could still be useful as
innovative practices could be made to encompass the production of vegetable seeds.
It should also be noted that nearly all the agro dealers in Cameroon are officially registered with
the appropriate services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from Divisional
to Regional levels. These services do not exist at sub divisional level. The three existing
companies charged with the multiplication and breeding of local species have concentrated on
very few local varieties thereby making dependency on imported species indispensable. Most
local vegetable seeds are farmers reserve from previous harvest. The most common imported
species of vegetable seeds were tomatoes, pepper, assorted green spices, lettuce, red and white
cabbage, carrots, green beans, green spices, onion, pepper etc. (products of first generation).
The will to develop the vegetable seed sector in Cameroon is manifest. The official
regulations and other policy instruments necessary to boost the vegetable seed sector are
available, but the intentions of both the public and private sectors in Cameroon still need to be
translated into concrete action. The existing platform could be enhanced for an effective
vegetable seed multiplication and breeding policy in the country. For example, the public-private
partnership board’s portfolio could be extended to include the production of vegetable seeds. In
the same way, partnerships could also be established with the three local seed multiplication
companies in order to scale up their seed production capacities thereby drastically reducing
dependency on imported vegetable seeds.
Also, it is stipulated that control of agro products should be carried out everywhere in the
country; at the regional level, by all the regional chiefs of quality control and at the divisional
level by the divisional chiefs of phytosanitary brigades. Strict quarantine control measures are
carried out at the border levels by all Phytosanitary Police Posts (PPP) located in all airports and
borders of the country, e.g. Ekondo-titi, Ekok and Idenau. There is also a laboratory in the
department of quality control in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Yaounde,
although this laboratory is used mainly to evaluate the quality of cereals, potato seeds and
fertilizers.
5.2. Types/channels of vegetable seed production and distribution systems
The sale and distribution of vegetable seeds in Cameroon are regulated by decree No
2005/3091/PM of 29th August 2005 and arrêté n°380/MINADER/MINCOMMERCE of 7th
August 2006. Even though this decree does not specifically refer to vegetable seed in particular,
there is a clear and distinct intention of the government to encourage the trade and distribution of
vegetable seeds in Cameroon. Seed production and supply systems in Cameroon vary due to
diversity in agro ecological conditions, crop types, farming systems and socio-economic
conditions. However, there are two major types of seed systems: informal and formal systems, as
the semi-formal seed system is absent in Cameroon.
5.2.1 Informal seed system
The informal seed system prevails mainly among smallholder farmers where it provides
over 80% of the seed used for crop production. Here farmers select and store part of their harvest
for future planting, exchange seeds with relatives and other farmers or sell at local markets. For
most traditional vegetables such as Okongo bong, Nkenekene and bitterleaf, the informal seed
system is the only source of seed. The main elements of the informal seed system are shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 3: Informal vegetable seed system in Cameroon
At harvest, some of the vegetables are consumed directly or stored while part of it is
selected as seed or the following crop as shown in Figure 3. The steps involved in seed
production and storage in the informal seed sector, irrespective of the action sites in Cameroon
are generally the same. These include washing of matured or ripe vegetable fruits and sun drying
of the seeds as depicted in Table 1. The steps vary with the plant part use as seed, the vegetable
involved and the facilities available.
Table 1: Steps in the informal system for vegetable seed production
Parts used as
seeds Seed production process
Vegetables
involved Storage
Ripe fruits Leave to rotten or squeeze
and mix with wood ash
Huckleberry,
Anchia, garden egg,
pepper
Could plant immediately
or sun dry and store for
three months
Mature
pumkin
Break and bring out the
seeds
Okomobong Not stored, planted fresh
Mature/dry
Flowers
Harvest and shake to extract
seeds
Sweet bitterleaf,
green
Plant immediately or
stored for three months
Dry fruits Break open to extract seeds Okra Stored for several months
Mature stems
cuttings
Harvested and replanted Waterleaf, bitter
bitterleaf
Not stored
� Crop production
� Seed selection � Storage and
� Consumption
� Harvest
� Market and/or
� Seed exchange
5.2.2 Formal seed system
The formal seed system is composed of government ministries, institutions,
organizations, business enterprises, private sector companies and individuals involved in
different seed related functions. Their functions cover research/breeding, seed multiplication,
seed processing and storage, seed certification, marketing and distribution.
The formal sector operates within the frame of legislation, following a governmental policy and
complies with international conventions and agreements. The legislation usually includes seed
laws, phytosanitary laws and intellectual property rights systems. The steps of the formal seed
system are presented as follows in chronological order:
1. Genebank (ex situ)
2. Breeding
3. Selection
4. Seed production
5. Harvesting
6. Processing
7. Storage
8. Quality control
9. Market Distribution
10. Producers
Apart from a few crops such as potato where the above steps are respected, most
vegetable crops do not respect these steps as the seeds are produced elsewhere and only
distributed in Cameroon by seed dealers and agrodealers. Major seed importers in Cameroon
such as SEMAGRI or Holland Farming import seeds from abroad and distribute in the main
production zones through retailers. These importers also have distribution outlets in particularly
towns like Yaounde, Douala and Bafoussam from where retailers or nearby vegetable farmers
can buy seeds directly. Thus, there are many actors in the formal vegetable seed sector that may
increase with distant from the major towns where the seed importers are located.
5.2.3 Complementarities of different seed sector activities and possibilities
for improvement
Seeds of traditional vegetables are only available at the informal sector whereas seeds of
exotic vegetables such tomatoes and cabbage are obtain mostly from the formal seed system.
Furthermore, the informal system maintains a diversity of species with a diversity of genotypes
and hence it is important in in-situ strategies for the conservation of agro-biodiversity as
observed elsewhere (Mutlu, 2001). Thus, the formal and informal seed systems in Cameroon are
both important in ensuring a sustainable seed supply to farmers, to provide a diversity of
vegetables in the market and to conserve biodiversity.
5.2.4 Major constraints of the vegetable seed sector in Cameroon
Informal seed sector
The informal seed sector is constrained by a number of factors including absence of
effective storage conditions, absence of seed testing facilities, poor knowledge on seed
production and processing, heterogeneity of seeds, poor knowledge on pest and disease control,
poor use of pesticides and the absence of norms and standards. In addition, the sector is not
organized and people operate independently. All these lead to poor quality seeds with very low
germination rates ranging from 5% to less than 80%, as depicted by a resource person in the
Bafoussam action site (Delegate of Agriculture, Banganté, personal communication). Hence,
farmers are forced to use large quantities of seeds to compensate for the poor germination rates.
Despite these constraints, the informal seed sector is surviving largely because of the low prices
of locally produced seeds and the only source of seeds for traditional vegetables in Cameroon.
From field surveys, the problems linked to vegetable seed supply in the informal sector are
summarised in figure 4.
Formal seed sector
As mentioned earlier, the formal sector operates within the frame of legislation, following
a governmental policy and complies with international conventions and agreements. The
legislation usually includes seed laws, phytosanitary laws and intellectual property rights
systems. However, there exist fake dealers who distribute poor quality or expired seeds
especially in local markets where the major seed importers do not intervene. Apart from the large
seed importers such as SEMAGRI or Holland Farming, most vegetable seed retailers and dealers
do not have adequate storage facilities to maintain the quality of seeds over a period of time. In
contrast to the informal seed sector, there are many actors in the distribution chain, which
contribute to high prices for seeds. For instance, 50 g of tomato or green pepper seeds may cost
50,000 FCFA in Bafoussam or Buea, while the same quantity of locally produced seeds cause
less than 1,000 FCFA. Furthermore, there are periodic scarcities of particular vegetable seeds
due to insufficient quantities or distribution problems that further lead to price hikes.
Finally, most of the vegetable seed dealers are not trained and thus have little or know
knowledge in seed production, processing and conservation. For instance none of the agrodealers
interviewed had undertaken a formal training on vegetable seeds, though they observed it was
very important. Therefore there is an urgent need to build capacity of these agro dealers and
retailers in order to improve the productivity and quality of services in the formal seed sector in
Cameroon. There is also a need to strengthen controls in agro shops and local markets to fish out
fake seed dealers that supply poor quality seeds to farmers.
5.2.5. Vegetable variety release system in Cameroon
Vegetable variety release in Cameroon is regulated by law. For instance section 6 of decree N°
2005/153 of 4th May 2005 bearing on the creation, organization and functioning of the national
seed and new plant variety council stipulates the existence of a commission for the approval of
species and varieties submitted for registration into the official catalogue of species and varieties.
Generally, for vegetable crop variety to be released in Cameroon, the following steps are
necessary:
i) The promoter has to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER)
stating all the attributes of the new variety;
ii) MINADER submits samples of this variety to research (IRAD) for on-station conformity tests
across the agro ecological zones of Cameroon;
iii) If the test by research is unsuccessful (i.e. variety does not present the mentioned attributes),
a report is written to that effect to MINADER and the file is rejected. Conversely, if the test by
research is successful, MINADER conducts supplementary tests at farm level.
iv) If these tests by MINADER at farm level are successful, the variety is added in the National
Catalogue of Species and Varieties of Cameroon and
v) MINADER officially releases the variety to the Cameroonian public.
5.3. Current situation of existing vegetable farming and cropping systems
This sub chapter depicts the vegetable farming systems in the action sites in Cameroon,
starting with the socio-political and economic situation of the study sites, the vegetable
production systems and the ranking of vegetables at the action sites.
5.3.1 Socio-political and economic situation in the study sites
The survey was carried out in three main action sites (Bafoussam, Buea and Ebolowa)
and twelve villages (Figure 2) as from November 03 to 28, 2013. A total of 177 respondents
were interviewed in the study. An average of 15 questionnaires was administered in each of the
twelve villages. Sixty one (61) percent of the respondents had migrated whereas only 39 percent
were indigenes, which may imply that access to land to boost vegetables farming could be a
future problem. In addition, 51% of the respondents were women, confirming that women are
highly involved in vegetable production in Cameroon just as the case of other food crops like
cereals, legumes and roots crops. Furthermore, it was observed that the sources of income for the
respondents were mainly agriculture and vegetable sales (Figure 3). Indeed, some people have
actually moved out of poverty through production and sales of vegetables. This is the case of a
lady in the Buea Action Site who reportedly sold vegetable for more than two million francs last
year. Similar cases were also reported in the Bafoussam action sites.
Figure 5: Source of income of the respondents
More than 80 per cent of the respondents were between the ages of 25 and 60 years with
81per cent of households being male headed. Of these households, 72 per cent of them were
married leaving with spouses with their spouse, 2 per cent were divorced, 6 percent had spouse
away, 10 per cent were never married and 10 per cent were widow/Widowers. Thus, the studied
villages had a good family stability necessary for agricultural development in which more than
70 per cent of the population had completed at least primary education meaning they could read
and write. This situation is largely the same in most parts Cameroon.
Most household heads interviewed in all the action sites were of the Bamelike ethnic
group of the West Region of Cameroon. This probably because people from this ethnic group
migrate a lot and are assiduous people who could easily be attracted to vegetable farming. Most
of the indigenes from the South West (Bakweri and Bakossi) and from the South (Ntoumou)
were less represented but this simply means that for the households chosen for this interview
their spouses were from other tribes.
5.3.2 Vegetable found in the action sites
The production of vegetable seeds is highly dependent on the demand for vegetables and
the overall eating habits of the local population at the action sites. In the Bafoussam action site,
most of the vegetables seeds produced or marketed were exotic particularly tomato, cabbage,
green pepper and water melon. The indigenous vegetables were limited to a few species
particularly night shade (Table 5). Conversely, indigenous vegetables dominate in Buea and
Ebolowa action sites. Thus, night shade, amaranths, okomobong were highly rated as the most
important vegetables produced and marketed in these action sites. Night shade was the most
cited vegetable in all three action sites. It was closely followed by Amaranth for Ebolowa,
okomobong for Buea and tomatoes for Bafoussam. Furthermore, exotic vegetables are rated as
high valued crops in Cameroon. Thus, where agricultural land is scarce and the population
density is high, farmers prefer to cultivate high value crops to compensate for high costs of land.
This is probably another reason why exotic vegetables were dominant in the Bafoussam action
site which is among the smallest but densely populated region of Cameroon. In contrast, high
availability of agricultural land in Buea and Ebolowa actions sites could explain the wide
diversity of food, industrial and vegetable crops observed in the sites. Thus, strategies to alleviate
malnutrition and poverty in the Humidtropics should consider the availability of agricultural land
and the eating habits of farmers. Particular emphasis should be made on traditional leafy
vegetables that look promising in all the action sites, as also observed elsewhere (Gockowski et
al., 2003).
Though exotic vegetables dominate in the Bafoussam action site, there are possibilities of
valorizing traditional vegetables such as Nkenekene, Bitterleaf, Pumpkin leaf, cassava leaf and
cocoyam leaf. These are traditional vegetables that are highly appreciated in other parts of
Cameroon and hence could be easily adopted in this action site through training and
sensitization.
Table 2: Vegetable species ranking following frequency of citation by respondents at the
action sites in Cameroon
Buea Ebolowa Bafoussam
Vegetable species Frequency Vegetable
species Frequency
Vegetable
species Frequency
Night shade 39 Night shade 57 Night shade 29
Okomobong 34 Amaranth 44 Tomatoes 20
Bitterleaf 26 Okro 27 Pepper 12
Amaranth 21 Pepper 26 Beans leaf 11
Pepper 19 Nkenekene
(Jute mallow) 23 Water melon 10
Waterleaf 18 Wild spinish 21 Amaranth 8
Okro 17 Cassava leaf 19 Cabbage 5
Anchia 11 Tomatoes 19 Bitterleaf 4
Cassava leaf 10 Cocoyam leaf 14 Pumpkin leaf 4
Cocoyam leaf 10 Anchia 10 Irish potatoes 3
Nkenekene (Jute
mallow) 10 Bitterleaf 7 Okro 3
Wild spinish 8 Beans leaf 7 Sweet pepper 2
Beans leaf 5 Pumpkin leaf 5 Cassava leaf 1
Egg plant 4 Sweet potatoes
leaf 2 Green beans 1
Tomatoes 4 Foléré 1 Sweet potatoes
leaf 1
Eru 1 Lettuce 1 Anchia 1
Ginger 1 Cabbage 1 Cocoyam leaf 1
Moringa 1 Waterleaf 1 Egg plant 1
Sweet Bitterleaf 1 Okomobong 1 Eru 1
Sweet potatoes
leaf 1 Moringa 1 Foléré 1
Cabbage 1 Ginger 1 Ginger 1
Foléré 1 Egg plant 1 Lettuce 1
Green beans 1 Eru 1 Moringa 1
Irish potatoes 1 Irish potatoes 1 Nkenekene (Jute
mallow) 1
Lettuce 1 Green beans 1 Okomobong 1
Pumpkin leaf 1 Sweet
Bitterleaf 1 Sweet Bitterleaf 1
Sweet pepper 1 Sweet pepper 1 Waterleaf 1
Water melon 1 Water melon 1 Wild spinish 1
Source: survey data
More exotic vegetable seeds are produced and marketed in Bafoussam than Buea and
Ebolowa while a huge production of local vegetable species is carry out in the Buea. Night
shade was the most cited vegetable in all three action sites followed by Amaranth for Ebolowa,
okomobong for Buea and tomatoes for Bafoussam. Bafoussam site is known for the production
of exotic vegetable species such as tomato, pepper, cabbage and green spices in large quantities.
Most of the farmers produce mainly for the market and they usually target buyers from Gabon,
Equatorial Guinea and Chad. However, there are possibilities for the introduction of traditional
leafy vegetables like Nkenekene (Jute mallow), okomobong, sweet bitterleaf and water leaf
though this will require sufficient training and promotion.
Possibilities for introducing traditional vegetables are higher in the Ebolowa and Buea
action sites because of the availability of agricultural land and the eating habits of the people.
5.3.3. Vegetable farming and cropping systems
Vegetable farming and cropping systems were highly varied in all sites. Farmers planted
vegetables as sole crop or intercrop, in home gardens or distant farms with or without the use of
fertilizers or pesticides. It is hypothesized that vegetable production could be intensified in all the
three action sites if an efficient seed production system is put in place and sufficient training and
promotion of all stakeholders carried out. In the following sections, the vegetable farming and
cropping systems of the three action sites are presented.
Bafoussam action site
After the fall in the coffee prices in the early 90s, most agricultural household shifted to
vegetable crop production. Vegetable farming became a specialized activity, cultivated not only
in home gardens but also in distant farms. Sole cropping is the dominant cropping system,
though some few farmers grow vegetables alongside with other food crops particularly maize
and beans or green spices. Averagely, exotic vegetable farms especially tomatoes and cabbages
are larger than in Buea and Ebolowa action sites. Vegetable farms are hardly left on fallow in
this site due to land scarcity. Consequently, organic fertilizers such as chicken waste, cow dung,
compost and crop residues are used for soil fertility improvement. Organic fertilizer application
is usually accompanied by high use of chemical fertilizer to compensate for the poor ferralsols
that dominate in the action site. Crop rotation particularly cabbage and tomato is common to
limit the spread of pests and diseases. However, pesticides and fungicides are used regularly to
control pests and fungi respectively in the vegetable fields. Most of the farm activities such as
land preparation, planting and maintenance are done using hired manual labour that is very
available and or household labour. Irrigation is carried out either to supplement rainfall or to
sustain crop growth during the dry season.
Since the pressure on land is very high in this action site, vegetable production could be
improved mainly by putting an efficient seed production system and training of stakeholders.
Buea action site
In the Buea action site, very few specialized vegetable farmers exist. Most of the farmers
grow food crops such as cassava, cocoyam, yam, banana, plantain, maize and sweet potato
alongside vegetables. The vegetables are usually intercropped sequentially into existing food
crop farms in free spaces within industrial crop plantations mainly rubber, oil palm, banana and
cocoa. Some exotic vegetables such as tomato, cabbage and water melon are cultivated
occasionally as sole crop. Climbing leafy vegetables are cultivated along fence lines while others
such as night shade are cultivated along river bands. Fallow is a common practice due to the
availability of land. The use of pesticides and fertilizers are low compared to the Bafoussam
action site. This is probably because the dominant soil here is the rich andosol originating from
volcanic activities of Mount Cameroon in Buea. Most field operations are done manually though
labour is expensive and scarce.
The possibilities of boosting vegetable production are this action site is huge, as the soil is
fertile, land available and climate favourable. What needs to be done is the put in place of an
efficient seed production and distribution system, promotion and the training of stakeholders.
Figure 6: An example of a vegetable cropping system in the Buea site
Ebolowa site
The situation at the Ebolowa action site is similar to that of Buea. Vegetables are
cultivated both as sole crop and intercrop with food crops such as cassava, plantains and
cocoyams or industrial crops like cocoa and oil palm. However, the availability of vegetable
seeds is low and the use of fertilizer is on the rise due to the poor nature of the soil, ferralsol, at
the action site. Leguminous cover crops particularly pueraria is promoted for soil fertility
improvement to replace the long duration fallow rotations that existed in the past. Home gardens
are scarce possibly because of stray animals. Labor for field operations is very scarce. Most of
the workers are hired from the Bafoussam action site. This site is also noted for the use of wild
vegetables as much of the area is covered by the forest.
This action site has a lot of available land for agriculture. The climatic conditions are
favourable for vegetable cultivation. The site is close to neighboring Gabon, Equatorial Guinea
and Central Africa Republic. Thus, there is a huge market for the product. But the availability of
vegetable seeds is very low. If put in place and efficient seed production and
Stray animals range from pigs, to doesmtic birds goats etc
Figure 7: Stray animals in Ebolowa inhibit home gardening
5.3.4. Major problems linked to vegetable seed farming in Cameroon
Problems linked to the current vegetable farming system in Cameroon are many.
However, the most important of these problems are listed in Table 6 following survey data and
group discussions with farmers at the Buea, Bafoussam and Ebolowa action sites of Cameroon.
Most of the respondents cited scarcity of good quality seed, pests and diseases, inappropriate
packaging and storage facilities and poor knowledge on seed production and conservation
techniques.
Table 3: Problems linked to vegetable seed farming in Cameroon
Main problem linked to seed supply Frequency
Diseases - ants, weevils, moulds infection and rottening 26
Inappropriate packaging and storage facilities 26
Limited knowledge on seed production techniques 24
Lack reference system to identify good seeds 18
High cost, long distances and lack of proper transportation equipment 13
Scarcity of improved seeds 12
Lack of appropriate marketing system for vegetables 11
No problem 5
Diseases - ants, weevils, moulds infection and rottening, animals cutting
shoots
3
Lack of trained expertise 2
Diseases - ants, weevils, moulds infection and rottening infection and
rottening
1
Diseases - ants, weevils, moulds infection and rottenings 1
Fraud and adulteration 1
Lack of appropriate marketing system for vegetables 1
lack of appropriate land for vegetable cultivation 1
Late supply of seeds from companies 1
No idea 1
No Knowledge on preservation 1
Source: survey data
5.3.5. Farmers perception and demand of vegetable seeds
Perception and demand of vegetable seeds was analysed using fifteen parameter
(HY=High yield; FT/F = Familiar taste/flavour; PK = Previous knowledge about the seed; BP =
Beautiful packaging; GS/GR = Guarantee on the seed (germination rate); SL= Standard labelling
for the vegetable seeds; EPF= The explanation you present to the farmers; RPD = Resistant to
pest and diseases on farm; PC= Post- harvest characteristics (storage, perishability); C/S =
Color/size of the fruits; C= Cost of the seed; ISC = Information on seed catalogue; ELP=
Example of a life plant around your shop ; L/TR = Labor/technical requirement... technology;
LSP = Life span of plant (Number of harvesting times/season)). As per table 4, distributors had a
higher level of responses (between 54% and 80% of 58 respondents) than farmers between (36%
and 63 % of 177 respondents). Distributors rated parameters for pepper and night shade jointly
since they were evaluating the factors influencing the demand of these products. From
distributors stand point, high yield was an important point that influenced demand and was
always considered by most of the respondents. This was followed by cost of seed, familiar
taste/flavour, previous knowledge about the seed, guarantee on the seed (germination rate),
colour/size of the fruits and life span of plant (number of harvesting times/season).
Table 4: Perception of farmers and distributors on vegetable seeds
Perceptions HY FT/F PK
BP GS/GR SL
EPF
RPD PC
C/S
C ISC ELP L/TR
LSP
Distributors
Always 12% 8% 8% 6% 8% 5% 7% 8% 6% 8% 9% 3% 3% 3% 8%
Moderate 3% 9% 8% 8% 7% 8% 9% 0% 9% 6% 4% 9% 6% 9% 3%
Never 0% 0% 0% 16% 16% 16% 0% 0% 0% 8% 8% 0% 14% 16% 5%
Not too
important 1% 2% 2% 10% 3% 10% 4% 4% 6% 7% 7% 4% 22% 14% 5%
Number of
respondents 91 91 87 93 90 92 89 64 90 93 92 63 92 93 73
Percentage of
respondents 78% 78% 75% 80% 78% 79% 77% 55% 78% 80% 79% 54% 79% 80% 63%
Pepper
Always 17% 9% 6% 2% 11% 1% 4% 12% 4% 8% 7% 1% 3% 3% 11%
Moderate 3% 8% 10% 6% 6% 5% 8% 1% 10% 7% 8% 9% 5% 10% 2%
Never 0% 3% 4% 22% 4% 18% 5% 5% 3% 3% 4% 12% 10% 5% 2%
Not too
important 1% 1% 0% 8% 6% 17% 11% 6% 7% 6% 6% 10% 10% 10% 2%
Number of
respondents 111 83 70 73 94 76 72 90 69 77 80 65 65 68 75
Percentage of
respondents 63% 47% 40% 41% 53% 43% 41% 51% 39% 44% 45% 37% 37% 38% 42%
Nighshade
Always 20% 9% 6% 2% 12% 3% 4% 9% 5% 5% 7% 3% 2% 3% 9%
Moderate 1% 7% 9% 5% 4% 6% 8% 7% 11% 8% 8% 6% 7% 9% 5%
Never 0% 5% 4% 20% 7% 16% 5% 4% 8% 6% 4% 9% 7% 4% 2%
Not too
important 0% 3% 7% 8% 7% 10% 9% 4% 7% 4% 6% 9% 11% 10% 2%
Number of
respondents 107 81 82 75 100 81 70 83 86 70 77 69 64 68 71
Percentage of
respondents 60% 46% 46% 42% 56% 46% 40% 47% 49% 40% 44% 39% 36% 38% 40%
41
Farmers rated more parameters for pepper than for night shade to assess their
perception about the seeds of fruits and leafy vegetables. This simply means that fruit
vegetables had a higher level of standardization than leafy vegetables and those distributors
were more expose to problems of vegetables standardizations than farmers. As per results, all
the actors perceived high yield as an important criteria for choosing and accepting seed.
5.4 Institutions producing and supplying vegetables seeds to farmers
The main institutions producing or supplying vegetable seeds to farmers in Cameroon
are discussed in the chapter.
5.4.1 Institutions involved in vegetable seed production in Cameroon
In Cameroon, the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), the
World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) and some state universities are interested in research on
vegetable crops. However, there is no sustained vegetable breeding program in the country.
AVRDC as well as some universities are currently conducting trials on adaptability of
vegetable varieties in parts of Cameroon, with the intension of disseminating well adapted
varieties to farmers. IRAD (a public institution that conducts research in all domains of crop
and animal sciences in order to respond to the needs and aspirations of all agricultural
development actors in Cameroon) had a program on vegetable seed production in the past.
But, because of the reduction in the human and material resources, IRAD now focuses mainly
on the production of potato seeds, cereals, legumes, roots and tuber crops. Some seed
companies such as Grénier du Monde Rural, Semence du Qualité and Farmer’s House
multiply and sell mainly indigenous vegetable seeds. Apart from these seed companies, there
exist local vegetable seed producers at the informal sector who obtain seeds from past harvest
before processing them as explained above.
5.4.2 Structures or organisations distributing vegetables seeds to farmers in
Cameroon
Import markets and whole salers/distributors are managed by companies like
SEMAGRI and Holland farming more intensively. However other companies that deal with
agro products like JACO, AGROPO etc also do some importation of vegetable seeds and
serve as distributors although not specialized (Table 4). Seeds are imported in large quantities
and packaging is done locally and redistributed to local sales points which we call here
agrodealers/retailers. No agrodealer/retailer shop was inventoried that sells only seeds at the
action sites in Buea, Bafoussam or Ebolowa. They all sold other farm inputs such as fertilizers
42
and pesticides, and occasionally small farm equipment particularly machetes, hoes and
diggers. However, in the Bafoussam action site, it was common to find hawkers who were
specialized in selling vegetable seeds from specific distributors or farmers who bought as a
group from importers/distributors.
Table 5: List of vegetable seed importers
Importers Agrochemical companies
SEMAGRI (specialized
in vegetable seeds),
AGROPO (specialized
in agro tools),
GMR (specialized in
seeds and agro
pesticides),
Phytograines
(specialized in agro
products and
pesticides)
Holland farming
(vegetables seeds).
CICRE (specialized in agro products and pesticides),
ADER Cameroun (specialized in pesticides and fertilizers),
YARA Cameroun (specialized in pesticides and fertilizers),
AFCOTT (specialized in pesticides and fertilizers),
Hydrochem (specialized in pesticides and fertilizers),
Atlantic Agritech (specialized in pesticides and fertilizers),
Agrocom (specialized in agro tools pesticides),
Jaco (specialized in agro tools and pesticides),
Sopia Cameroun (specialized in agro tools and pesticides)
Velia Sarl (specialized in agro tools and pesticides),
Fimex international (specialized in agro pesticides),
Inagrosa Cameroun Sarl (specialized in agro pesticides).
Source: Field survey
Within the action sites, seed distributors were most present in Bafoussam (Table 5) which is
known for high cultivation of exotic vegetable. Also, there was a company on local vegetable
seed production in Bafoussam (GMR). In Ebolowa and Buea action sites, the seed sellers
present were mostly agro dealers. Most local vegetable seed sellers were buyam sellams made
up of mainly farmers and hawkers.
Table 6: List of agrodealers per action site
Bafoussam Buea Ebolowa
Jardin des agriculteurs
(specialized in agro products and
pesticides)
Gremier du monde rural (GMR)
(specialized in agro pesticides),
Jaco (specialized in agro tools
and pesticides),
Top seed (specialized in
vegetable seeds),
Agrofarm (specialized in agro
Farmers’ house
(specialized in agro tools
pesticides),
Agro input (specialized in
agro pesticides),
Agrovis (specialized in
agro tools and pesticides),
Agrotechno (specialized
in agro tools and
pesticides),
Univers agricole (specialized
in agro tools and pesticides),
La maison du planteur
(specialized in agro tools and
pesticides),
Ets Tambou Achile
(specialized in agro tools and
pesticides),
Ets Tchoundjou (specialized in
agro tools and pest
43
pesticides),
Phytograines (specialized in agro
pesticides),
Armotec (specialized in agro
pesticides),
Foyer des eleveurs et agriculteurs
(specialized in agro pesticides),
Phytochem (pharmacie des
plantes) (specialized in agro
pesticides),
Pharmacie du jardinier
(specialized in agro pesticides),
Phytosem plus (specialized in
agro pesticides),
Paysan plus (specialized in agro
pesticides),
Maison du planteur (specialized
in agro pesticides),
Sopia Cameroun (specialized in
agro pesticides),
CICRE (specialized in agro
products and pesticides),
Source: Field survey
5.4.3 Some basic vegetables seeds either produced locally or imported
As aforementioned, Decision No 541/MINADER/SG/DRCQ/SDRSQV of 7th
September 2006 on the homologation of official technical regulation of quality control of
certain vegetable seeds covers an exhaustive list of the basic vegetables seeds that are either
produced or imported into the country to meet farmers’ needs. The list provided for by the
decision and the scientific names thereof are detailed in the Table 6. Of these species, some
are strictly exotic and were mostly cultivated only in the Bafoussam action site while others
also had local varieties and were cultivated in all action sites.
Table 7: List of the basic vegetables seeds that are either produced locally or imported
Local names Species in French Scientific name Distribution site
Gallick Ail Allium sativum Exotic*, Baffoussam
Green Amarante Amaranthus spp Local**, All action sites
Garden egg Aubergine Solanum melongena Local, All action sites
Africa
Garden egg
Aubergine africaine Solanum
aethiopicum
Local, All action sites
Common
Basil
Basilica Basilicum
americanum
Exotic, Bafoussam
44
Beat root Betterave rouge Beta vulgaris Exotic, Bafoussam
Carrotte Carotte Dancus carota Exotic, Bafoussam
Celery Céleri Apium graveolens Exotic, Bafoussam
Chicoree - Exotic, Bafoussam
Cabbage Chou fleur Brassica oleracea
var Botritis
Exotic, Bafoussam
Chinese
Cabbage
Chou de Chine - Exotic, Bafoussam
Cabbage Chou pommé Brassica oleracea
var Capitata
Exotic, Bafoussam
Red cabbage Chou rouge Brassica oleracea
var.ruba DC
Exotic, Bafoussam
Bunching
onion
Ciboule Allium fistolosum Exotic, Bafoussam
Cucumber Concombre/Cornichon Cucumis sativus Exotic, Bafoussam
Squash Courgette Cucurbita pepo Exotic, Bafoussam
Spinish Epinard Spinacia oleracea Exotic, Bafoussam
Spinish Epinard indien Basela alba Exotic, Bafoussam
Spinish Epinard baselle Basela rubra Exotic, Bafoussam
Okro Gombo Hibiscus esculentus Local, All action sites
Letuce Laitue Lactuca sativa Exotic, Bafoussam
Pumpkin Melon Cucumis melo Local, All action sites
Morelle Solanum esculentum
Huckerberry Morelle noire Solanum nigrum Local, All action sites
Navet Brassica rapa
Onion Oignon Allium cepa Local, Buea/Bafoussam
Oseille de Guinée Hibiscus sabdariffa Exotic, Bafoussam
Water melon Pastèque Ctrilus lanatus Exotic Buea/Bafoussam
Persil Persil Petroselinum
crispum
Exotic, Bafoussam
Pois - Exotic, Bafoussam
Green pepper Poivron Capsicum annum Exotic, Bafoussam
Pepper Piment Capsicum frutescens Local, All action sites
Beet root Beta vulgaris Exotic, Bafoussam
Squash Potrion (courge) Cucurbita maxima Exotic, Bafoussam
Radish Radis Raphanus sativus Exotic, Bafoussam
Tomatoes Tomate Lycopersicon
lycopersii
Local, All action sites
Source: Modified from Decision No 541/MINADER/SG/DRCQ/SDRSQV of 7th September 2006
* Exotic means that this specie is strictly exotic whereas
** local means there also exist local varieties for the specie.
5.5. Vegetable seed requirement versus farmers demand for vegetable seeds
45
The demand for vegetable seeds in Cameroon is on a steady rise. This information was
confirmed by all the seed companies, retailers and agro dealers. Unfortunately, the seed
dealers and companies were not ready to provide any information on the sales of seeds. At the
level of MINADER, current statistics on vegetable seed demand was unavailable.
Furthermore, there is lack of information on the areas of vegetable production at the national
level as well as at the action sites.
Due to the absence of valid statistics on vegetable seed demand or sales, seed dealers
use varied methods to speculate future seed demand in their various localities before
importing seeds. Companies like SEMAGRI carry out surveys through their major retailers.
Others like GMR mainly sum up the requests from farmers to obtain the total demand for
seeds.
Meanwhile, many farmers are already growing improved varieties, which imply that
they are ready to adopt new varieties if these varieties are better than the existing varieties.
Results from focus group discussions at all the action sites pointed to the following as
conditions influencing demand for vegetable seeds:
- Availability of the seed at all times;
- High germination rates (over 85%) and good yield;
- Resistant to pests and diseases, hence limited use of chemical products;
- Good packaging to facilitate storage;
- Adaptability to local agro ecological conditions;
- Good price;
- Seed homogeneity.
The above listed conditions with the exception of price could only be met with exotic
vegetables in the formal seed system. Consequently, there are higher chances of developing
traditional vegetables in the current informal sector by accommodating these conditions into a
formal and sustained breeding program. This should certainly be the way forward also for
initiatives geared towards alleviating poverty and malnutrition particularly in the rural areas
of Cameroon.
5.6. Farmers preferences for vegetable types
Framers preference for vegetable types is specific to the action sites in Cameroon.
However, some vegetable species were dominant in all the action sites. This is case with the
night shade (Table 7) that was cited over 120 times as preferred vegetables for the farmers.
46
Closely followed to night shade in the order of preference was another leafy vegetable,
amaranth. This could mean that farmers in Cameroon have a high preference for leafy
vegetables than fruits, tubers, roots or bulb types. Hence, strategies to fight poverty and
malnutrition in Cameroon should include the promotion of leafy vegetables by providing
good quality seeds to farmers.
Table 8: Ranking of vegetables in order of importance, irrespective of action sites
Vegetable Specie Frequency Vegetable Specie Frequency Vegetable
Specie
Frequency
Night shade 125 Waterleaf 19 Sweet Bitterleaf 1
Amaranth 77 Water melon 10 Eru 1
Pepper 57 Pumpkin leaf 8 Foléré 1
Okro 47 Cabbage 6 Ginger 1
Tomatoes 43 Egg plant 4 Green beans 1
Bitterleaf 37 Sweet potatoes leaf 4 Lettuce 1
Okomobong 34 Irish potatoes 3 Moringa 1
Nkenekene 33 Sweet pepper 2
Cassava leaf 30
Wild spinish 29
Cocoyam leaf 24
Beans leaf 23
Anchia 21
Source: survey data
The above ranking of vegetables in terms of farmers preferences demonstrates that
there are promising traditional vegetables that need to be promoted. These include
okomobong, nkenekene, wild spinish and anchia. Unfortunately, the formal seed production
sector is not yet interested in these species and thus the seeds of these species available for
planting are obtained from the local seed production system. Consequently the performance of
the seeds are poor and occasionally several varieties of a species are mixed unknowingly.
Research should therefore step in to train farmers on improved techniques in seed production
and or develop improved varieties and disseminate to farmers.
5.7. Local Vegetable varieties and preference per action site
Farmers had preferences for specific vegetable varieties within the same type of
vegetable as on table 9. This preferences sometimes were for commercialisation based on the
market. This is the case of Ebolowa were many species were brought from other places and
47
sold there because of the presence of the border market. Other preference were for cultivation
and based on fast growth like the case of dwarf okro that had an early maturity and other
preserfed tall okra because although it had a late maturity, fruiting lasted for many seasons.
The variability in preferences could be linked to the adaptability at the sites or the taste of the
varieties. Earlier variety screening trials on tomato and green pepper in the Coast of
Cameroon observed that most varieties that adapts very well in the Western Highlands do not
tolerate the agro ecological conditions of the Coast of Cameroon (Ngome, personal
communication). It is therefore imperative to carry out adaptability trials linked to the food
preferences and commercial potentials of the species before recommending vegetable crop
varieties to farmers at different action sites in the Humidtropics.
Table 9: Vegetable varieties preference
English Action site
Buea Baffoussam Ebolowa
Onion Red Onion Least planted
High consumed
Moderately
commercialised
Highly planted
Moderately consumed
Highly
commercialised
Not planted buyam
sellam retailers
Least consumed
Not commercialised
White Onion Least planted
High consumed
Moderately
commercialised
Highly planted
Moderately consumed
Highly
commercialised
Not planted buyam
sellam retailers
Least consumed
Highly
commercialised
Green Green big leave
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Moderately
commercialised
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Green wild Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Moderately
commercialised
Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Least commercialised
Moderately planted
Highly consumed
Moderately
commercialised
Wild cabbage
with flat leaves
Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Least commercialised
Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Least commercialised
Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Not commercialised
Hot pepper
yellow
Moderately planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Highly planted
Moderately consumed
Highly
commercialised
Moderately planted
Moderately consumed
Highly
commercialised
Hot pepper red Moderately planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Highly planted
Moderately consumed
Highly
commercialised
Moderately planted
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Hot pepper Least planted Highly planted Moderately planted
48
elongated Least consumed
Highly commercialised
Moderately consumed
Highly
commercialised
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Hot pepper
small (bush)
Least planted
Least consumed
Highly commercialised
Least planted
least consumed
Highly
commercialised
Not planted –
harvested from the
wild
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Bitter Bitterleaf
small leaf
Moderately planted as
fence plant
Highly consumed
Moderately
commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least Commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least Commercialised
Bitter Bitterleaf
big leaf
Moderately planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least Commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least Commercialised
Sweet bitterleaf Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Huckleberry
(Africa night
shade)
big leaves
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Huckleberry
wild
Least planted
Least consumed
Least commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least commercialised
Highly harvested from
the forest
Highly consumed
Highly
commercialised
Huckleberry
Small leaves
Highly planted
Highly consumed
Highly commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least commercialised
Least planted
Least consumed
Least commercialised
5.8. Critical bottlenecks and opportunities to improve formal and informal seed
supply chain
Farmers have adopted many solutions to combat the problems faced with vegetable
seed production (table 9).
Table 10: Farmers’ solution to vegetable seed production and their limitations
Farmers solution Limitations and consequences
Abandon When the farmer has no other option
49
Apply abit of cocoa
chemicals
The doses of this agrochemicals varied widely and was not
mastered by the farmers. It presented a big health risk which was
acknowledged by the farmers. They said the use it in small
quantities but how small is small?
Ask assistance from
neighbours
This mostly in the case of pest and dieseases and when planted
vegetable seeds failed to germinate. They simply went to other
farmers who had nursed the same seeds and collect seedlings
from them
Beg CDC land Most farmers cultivated vegetables on empty spaces in the CDC
plantation. This was particularly dangerous because during
spraying, their crops were sprayed and sometimes with the
knowledge of the farmers. They go and harvest the vegetable a
fews days after spraying. Other times their crops were destroyed
at maturity
Buy good seeds Most commercial farmers especially in the west region bought
good seeds to increase their chances of succeeding.
Buy seeds several
weeks before
This is also the case of commercial farmers
Close monitoring of
farm
This if for a case when a farmer notices that his farm is already
being infested
Create local selling
points
This is for case of small scale and spontaneous vegetable farmers
who do not have a tangible market for their vegetable
Cultivate only for
home consumption
To avoid a lot of vegetables that will be difficult to store
Cut off infested
leaves
For some leafy vegetables
Destroy the whole
plant
In case the infestation is serious
Do a selection for
next seasons seed
Preserve healthy plants to grow to maturity
Do mix cropping To reduce risk of pest and disease
Don't keep seeds for
more than one season
To ensure that they germinate
Farm in dry land and For off season production
50
water in dry season
Germination test by
floating in water
before planting
To test that seeds will germinate
Harvest and preserve
seeds for next
farming season
To guarantee planting material for next planting season.
Sometimes the seeds are allowed in the fruit and this is dried and
preserved
Improve cropping
system by making
nurseries for atleast
three times required
quantity
To ensure that even if germination fails, the grains that will
germinate will produce sufficient plants for transplanting
Sell on local market Excess vegetable seeds/seedlings and even vegetables
Sometimes throw
wood ash, Use
Insecticide
Use mocab to kill ants
in farms
To kill ants in preserved seeds and on the vegetable in the farm
Spray the insects For vegetables on the farm
Storage in sealed
containers
For dry vegetable seeds
Store in bottles use of
Wood ash
For dry vegetable seeds
Try an error use of
various cocoa
chemicals in small
amounts
Farmers do this out of frustration
The critical bottlenecks and opportunities to improve formal and informal seed supply
chain are summarized in a SWOT analysis (Table 8).
Table 11: Swot analysis
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Informal seed sector
51
Little or no cost in
seed production Poor quality seeds
vibrant
market/demand
for indigenous
vegetables
Climatic changes may
worsen the effects of
pests and diseases
Seed availability at
all times
Quantity of seeds
available may be
small to cultivate
large farms
Training of some
farmers to
become small
scale seed
producers
Existing seed
legislature
Maintain a wide
diversity of crop
varieties
Seeds and harvested
vegetables are not
homogenous
Training of
farmers in seed
conservation
Existing seed
legislature
Availability of funds
Formal seed sector
Good quality seeds
Very high costs in
seed production and
seeds are expensive
Irregular supply of
seeds in local areas
Increasing
demand
Most seeds are
imported thus supply
depends on political
stability in the foreign
country
High yielding and
disease resistant
Mostly hybrids that
require purchase of
seeds every season
May reduce use
of chemicals such
as fungicides
May require high use
of fertilizers
Better seed supply
and conservation
strategies
Requires high
investments
Large quantity of
seeds could be
made available
for large scale
production
Changing agro climatic
conditions may
influence the
performance of seeds
Seeds are well
identified and
labelled
Technical guides are
provided on how,
when and where to
use the seeds
Most of the seed
dealers are not
trained in seed
production and
conservation
techniques
Training of seed
dealers and other
actors in modern
techniques of
seed production
and conservation
Political will of the
government is required
52
VI ACTIVITY PLAN AND COSTING This consultancy involved conducting a scoping study of the vegetable seed sector,
seed production and distribution value chains including existing variety use of major
vegetables cultivated. The activity plan for the work was generally well established. However,
it is suggested that more time be allocated for data analysis and reporting considering the
large numbers of vegetables existing in Cameroon. The costing of the different activities was
generally satisfactory.
VII CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1. Conclusion
The objective of this study was to assess the vegetable seed supply and distribution system
and related issues affecting target communities and beneficiaries of the Humidtropics
Program with respect to and establishing benchmark indicators for subsequent integrated
research and development interventions required to achieve the four system level outcomes of
the humidtropics particularly in Cameroon. Two main seed supply systems were identified in
the Buea, Bafoussam and Ebolowa action sites. These include the dominant informal system
dealing mainly with traditional vegetables such as night shade, amaranth and okongobong,
and the formal seed supply system characterized by mostly exotic vegetable seeds. The two
seed supply systems are necessary for a vibrant economy and could complement each other
especially as they both have strengths and weaknesses. But for this to happen, there is need to
uplift critical bottlenecks in the seed supply chains and carefully examine the existing
opportunities in the systems.
7.2. Recommandations
i. Fake seed dealers still exist in the seed supply chain. Therefore, measures have
to be taken to fish them out of the market through frequent controls.
ii. Most seed dealers lack knowledge on the production and conservation of
vegetable seeds. Thus, there is need for training/capacity building in this
domain.
iii. Seed availability in large quantities at the informal level is a problem. This
limits the farm sizes cultivated by farmers. It is therefore recommended that
particular farmers be trained on seed production techniques so as to supply
seeds at the local level.
53
iv. There is need for a sustained vegetable breeding program in Cameroon that
will also accommodate traditional vegetables.
v. Government legislature should facilitate the development and organization of
the informal seed sector by designing active programs to guide vegetable
farmers and proper seed production techniques.
vi. One major constrain although not mentioned by respondents in vegetable
production in the Ebolowa action site is the presence of stray animals.
Therefore to develop vegetable production in this area, the population has to be
sensitized on how to keep their animal.
VIII REFERENCES
8.1. Policy and legal instruments
Compendium of Law No 2001/014 of 23rd July 2001 relating to seed production and
marketing and its instruments of application. Department of Regulation and Quality Control
of Agricultural Inputs and Products. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. May
2010.
Law No 2001/014 of 23rd July 2001 relating to seed production and marketing;
Law No 2003/003 of 21st April 2003 on phytosanitary protection;
Decree No 2005/153 of 4th May 2005 on the creation, organization and functioning of the
National Seed and the New Plant Variety Council;
Decree No 2005/169 of 26th May 2005 on the creation, organization and management of the
Seed Fund;
Decree No 2005/3090/PM of 29th August 2005 laying down the quality and missions of
sworn-in seed control and certification officers;
Decree No 2005/3091/PM of 29th August 2005 laying down modalities for production, quality
control and marketing of seeds;
Decree No 2005/0771/PM of 6th April 2005 fixing the modalities of execution of vegetable
quarantine operations;
Decree No 2005/0772/PM of 6th April 2005 fixing homologation and control conditions of
phytosanitary products;
Decree No 2005/0769/PM of 6th April 2005 on the organization of the Phytosanitary National
council;
Joint Order No 380/MINADER/MINCOMERCE of 7th August 2006 laying down
specifications for production, importation and marketing of seeds;
54
Joint Order No 381/MINADER/MINCOMERCE of 7th August 2006 laying down general
norms of chemical treatment, storage, packaging and labeling of seeds;
Decision No 541/MINADER/SG/DRCQ/SDRSQV of 7th September 2006 on the
homologation of official technical regulation of the control of certain vegetable seeds.
8.2. Technical bulletins
Technical-economic bulletin on the fertilization of pepper – Fertilizer Sub-Sector Reform
Programme. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (Untitled)
Technical-economic bulletin on the fertilization of okra – Fertilizer Sub-Sector Reform
Programme. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (Untitled)
Technical-economic bulletin on the fertilization tomato – Fertilizer Sub-Sector Reform
Programme. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (Untitled)
Technical bulletin on the fertilization of cassava – Fertilizer Sub-Sector Reform Programme.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (Untitled)
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FAO, (2013) The State of Food and Agriculture: Food systems for better nutrition. FAO
Rome 6p
FAO, WFP and IFAD (2012) The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012. Economic
growth is necessary but not sufficient to accelerate reduction of hunger and malnutrition.
Rome, FAO. Rome. 65p.
FAO (1996) Declaration on world food security. World Food Summit. Rome. 29p.
Fontem D.A., Gumedzoe M.Y.D., Nono-Womdin R. (1999) Biological constraints in tomato
production in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. TROPICULTURA. 16-17, 2, 89-92.
Gockowski A James, Julie Mbazo’o, Glory Mbah, Terese Fouda Moulende (2003) African
traditional leafy vegetables and the urban and peri-urban poor. Food Policy 28 (2003) 221–
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58
IX APPENDICES
9. 1 Questionnaires
9.2 Pictures
Photo 1 : Nkenekene (Jute mallow field producing seeds and being infested by snails) in
Buea action site, Cameroon
59
Photo 2 : Agrodealer shop in Douala, Cameroon
Photo 3 : Focus group meeting in Bafoussam action site, Cameroon
60
Vegetables on some Douala markets
9.3 Persons Contacted
- EBETE Anatole. Direction de la Réglementation et du Contrôle de Qualité. Chef
Service de la Certification de Semences et Plantes. MINADER. Téléphone: 74 89 85
64
- Madame MBOM Gertrude. Direction de la Réglementation et du Contrôle de Qualité.
Service de la Certification des Semences et Plantes. MINADER. Téléphone 77 58 18
61
61
- BIKOI Joseph Victor. Technicien Supérieur d’Agriculture, Direction de la
Réglementation et du Contrôle de Qualité. Service de la Certification des Semences et
Plantes. MINADER. Téléphone: 79 95 93 39/93 26 61 79
- KENGUE Joseph. Focal Point, Seed Certification and variety release IRAD.
Telephone: 99 74 12 82
- FOTSO Daniel, CPAC. Telephone: 77 88 38 50
- NGOME Francis, Focal Point BAD Basic seed production IRAD. Telephone: 78 96
74 02
- FOTSO KUATE Appolin, Scientist IITA. Telephone: 79 90 20 50
- OKOLLE Justin, Researcher IRAD. Telephone: 74 53 47 86
- Mr Leku Francis Director of reglementation and quality control (including the seed
basket fund) in MINADER -77606713
- Chief Evakisa Paul of Lysoka Buea – 96247552
- NGO Center for Assistance to Sustainable Development (CASD Ebolowa – 74466963
- OWONA Ndongo – Chief of Station IRAD Nkeonveon Ebolowa 74708989
- Bidol Yemming Gerard – Head of Phytosanitary Brigade MINDADER Bangante
Baffoussam
- Kontchipo Lucien MINADER Bammoungoum Baffoussam 77923247
9.4. Farmers/farmers organisations as per a MINADER raw data
A- Farmers/farmers organisations
Action Site Division Locality Structure Name Telephone
Yaounde Mfoundi Nkolodom GIC ELMA Enama Leonard 77402209
Nkolodom Producteur Mvomo Laurent 76678735
Nkolodom Producteur Nomo Mvilongo 74028238
Lekié Minkara GIC FADAL Mvondo ep,
Abanda 96446415
Ezezang
Memdoum Producteur Koulou Loys
Obala Producteur Ambomo Ndongo 75047585
Obala Producteur Mollo François 77292905/
22103964
62
Mefou
et
Afamba
Obout Producteur Mana Claude 77355685
Lekié Ezezang
Memdoum Producteur
Tsimi Ndjana
Dominique 76896437
Mindjomo Producteur Angoni Ngono 74169247
Mefou
et
Afamba
Kolguet GIC AGRO-
EQUATORIAL Tidike Philemon 95018407
Mfou GIC ABA Ndjock Gregoire 77785201
Nkolgouet Producteur Tchuigoua Jean-
Jules 79733326
Haute
Sanaga
Meyang
(Nkotteng) Producteur Nang Ernest André 75495253
Nyong
et So'o Nkolnguet GIC GADELE
Assam Florent
Charles
77669107
gadele2004
@yahoo.fr
Mefou
et
Afamba
Nkozoa GIC la Fraternité Sofa Jacques 77449879/
75844236
Lekié Obala Producteur Assiang Antoine
Nyong
et So'o Mbamayo Producteur Aissatou
Lekié Marché
Obala Producteur Mvomo 70154260
Mfoundi Etoug-Ebe Producteur Mboumta 99183039
Etoug-Ebe Producteur Foumrigué 95088001
Etoug-Ebe Producteur Yanbe 99006943
Etoug-Ebe Producteur Simena
Eye-Assi Producteur Nlomngan Roger 75238357
Mokala Producteur Ringsou 99485418
Lekié Ezezang Producteur Onana François 95202545
Mefou
et
Afamba
Nkolgouet Producteur Tchamba 99137380
Douala Moungo Mantem II GIC Maraichers Kouanou Abel 94132867
Nkongsamb
a COOPLAM Taffou Bernard 77497593
63
Nkongsamb
a GIC Gajoe Patipe Alphonse 75004951
Melong Kareceide
Foundation Nenapa Bruno
75331252/
99242747
Melong COOPAFERLOS Kamgue Rebecca
77256271
coopaferlos
@yahoo.fr
Melong UDIZOR Mboule Jacqueline 74599383
Njoumbeng
III GIC AGRUM Nono Samuel 74225663
Namba GIC ADN Abega Victor 99697706
Njombé Producteur Kapseu Jean 77762253
Njombé Producteur Fouometio Pierre 77210908
Njombé GIC DAEN Temfack
Dieunedort 94962253
Mbanga
(Kombe) GIC FPK (Kombe) Youkouamo Gabriel
Kotto GIC CEPAP Moukam Elizabeth
Kotto GIC Lebialem
farmers Tankeng Francis
Buea Fako
Small
Soppo
Buea
AGRODEV Kanyi Edward
77001960
kanyitomet
i2002@yah
oo.com
Great
SoppoBuea EKWA FARMS CIG Itoe Hansel
99699114
ekwafarms
@yahoo.co
m
Bwiyuku-
Tole CEGDI Scott Ekezung
74626357
cegdi_org
@yahoo.co
m
Dibanda
Mile 14 AGROPAC Ndah Michael 79343073
Dibanda
Mile 14 Lemleh Nembu Tanyi John 79667592
Bulu
Bokoua
Bonakanda
Vegetable Women
CIG Gladys Takwa 75564700
Tole Green Planet CIG Scott Ekezung 74626357
64
Muea Agric Star CIG Nestor Ndonfac
Nkeng
Bokoua EARTHLINGS CIG Emilia Atabe
Mesinze 77710208
Soppo
Likoko FOFAGRO CIG Onda Onda John 77671861
Baffoussam Menoua Agong I Producteur Tsague Charles 77405892
Djuttitsa Producteur Voulemo
Emmanuel
96894568/
77385239
Toutsang Producteur Temgoua Honoré 99655778
Noun Kounga-
Foumban
GIC Agro-Sylvicole
Dynamique du Noun Nsangou Badiane 77461922
Foumbot Producteur Kuete Alain
Foumbot Producteur Mbambe
Christopher 95050308
Foumbot Producteur Ebanga Anoh Jean
Pierre 97919547
Foumbot PDRM (Mont
Mbapit)
Tsomejio
Emmanuel 77911523
Bantou Producteur Kengne Elise 96521825
Bambou
tos
Bagam
Kieneghang
La Forteresse
Agricole Kengne Raphael
79796560/
99898760
Bamessing
ue Producteur
Nguengang epse
Nguetsa Emilienne 79328131
Batcham Producteur Fomene Hene
Martial 70553812
Bagam Producteur Mme Tsafack
Nicole 33105602
Bamessing
ue I Producteur Moffo Pauline 76168288
Bamessing
ue I Producteur Massah Marcelline
65
Bamessing
ue I Producteur Ngouladjo Richard 77234804
Menoua Loung II Producteur Ngueofum Zsofock
Aldoulf 96072580
Bafou Producteur Fominjoh Modeste 76261727
Bafou
Loung II Producteur Aimé Tekouezeon 99709573
Noun Foumbot Producteur Mvondo Bidima
Sergeo
97802811/
75117839
Mifi Baleng Producteur Mekouang
Christophe 94332137
Noun Mbandou,
Foumbot Producteur Majure Maprefou 99219981
Foumbot Producteur Mulama
Mifi Baleng Producteur Matsinj Irene 97494082
Baleng GIC GUIMGUOUONG Sandio Victor 77245389
Baleng GIC Fah Baa Poung Kongni Pierre 75825391
Baleng GIC Letedjo Tchouaguog
Julienne 96108740
Baleng GIC Jeunes
Maraichers Fofe Anatole 76518835
Baleng AMEK-BA Mekoueng
Christophe 94332137
Baleng GIC MATOUH Kouokam Eboue
Felix 77124876
Baleng GIC DIGO Sah Bernard 97073586
Ebolowa Mvila Meyo-ville
(Ebolowa) Producteur Bienda 74632317
Vallée
du
Ntem
Kye-ossi
GIC des Paysans
Solitaires Valée de
Ntem
Toko Joseph 22236379/
96415044
Dja et
Lobo
Meyomess
ala Producteur Evina Josué 97617657
66
Meyomess
ala Producteur Akono Ndongo Alex 77489049
Océan Lokoundje
(Ebea)
GIC des Eléveurs et
Planteurs Samnick Antoine
97573646
asamick@y
ahoo.com
Mvila
Mvam-
Essakwe
(Ebolowa)
Producteur Fossam Sabum 75901188
Dja et
Lobo
Akomendib
e
GIC Forte active
d'Akomendibe Evina Barthelemy 99543053
Vallée
du
Ntem
Kye-ossi Producteur Viang Estelle Nicole 99273418
Akonagui GIC Espace
Humanitaire
Essono Pierre
Romuald 22637916
Océan Kribi Producteur Lemoulong
Boniface 75396019
Mvilla Nkolomven
g Gic Plankol
Eyaa Mvele
Edouard 77838429
Ndengue GIC Ndongo-Ndongo
B: DISTRIBUTORS/DETAILLANTS
Action site Division Locality Structure Name Telephone
Yaounde Mfoundi Etoundi Paysan plus Mme Nguinfack 99735299
Etoundi Produits Agricoles Tsero Koungne 96639209
Haute
Sanaga Nkoteng
ETS Mbah
Marguerite Mbah Marguerite 99742694
Mfoundi Yaoundé PLANTANIA Baran Marie 77343063
Nyong
et So'o Newton ETS Gerad Benda Bernard 79167812
Newton Agro Blonb Alene Anastasie 22136514
Mfoundi Marché
Etoundi Produits Agricoles Simo Janole 99795256
Lekié Gare
Routiere
Jaco Maison
desPaysans Shomguia Robert
77225039/
99298529
67
Mfoundi Marché du
Mfoundi Agri Shop Tsanga Joseph
77871329/
22230896
Marché du
Mfoundi Newton Agro Chedjou Lucien 22232069
Marché du
Mfoundi C,M,A,C Sarl Nguembou Pierre 22235061
Lekié Obala Gare
Routiere Agri- Shop Kamguia 77136504
Obala Gare
Routiere
GIC Dispa le
Paysannat Biloa Dieudonné 77026260
Douala Moungo Nkongsamb
a Ami des Agriculteurs Nankap Giuillaem 79820371
Melong Newstar Agro
Pharma Kueté André 77827627
Nkongsamb
a Maison du Planteur
Tchaptchet
Philippe 33492782
Melong Ets Tchehuidjou
Jérome Dongmo Albert 74264135
Njombé Sonia Agriculture Djoukoue Martial 99434666
Marché A
Mbanga Ets Ngassa Pierre Ngassa Pierre
Mbanga
Ville Ets Siewe Hilaire Siewe Hilaire
77681739/
97136471
Njombé Ets Bon Prix Tiodji Guy Patrick 76059164
Manjo Ami des Planteurs Ngnegue Theophile 77973672
Manjo Ets Tepa-Migueu Luc Tepa-Migueu Luc 99281785
Wouri Douala
CAM (Cercle des
Agriculteurs
Moderns du
Cameroun)
Benadette Simo 77275679
Marché
Sangada
Douala
Agri Tropic Nkemta Celestin 77856992
Douala FUGIC PROCA Tsopkeng Rosane
Laure 76528575
68
Buea Fako Buea Farmers' House CIG
Buea Tatchouang André
77653569/
33012344
Muea Agro Input Arrey Egbe Ojong 77336532
Muyuka Agricultural
Solutions Rolaland Ndi
77770800/
77447398
Meme Kumba Farmers' Store
Kumba Mme Djatsa Doris 33354056
Manyu Mamfe Jobao Store Mamfe Obi Jerome Ntui 77796525
Baffoussam Menoua Bafou Pharmacie Agricole Voulemo Kana
Christain 99638777
Dschang PRODIAM Jacques Guinfack 99413709/
77374937
Dschang Guide du Paysan Telging Tasse 99785217
Mifi Bafoussam ARMOTEC Fosso Joseph 77691507
Bafoussam PHYTOCHEM Kanga Richard 95205792
Bafoussam AGRO FARM Kanga Richard 95205792
Bafoussam GMR Grenier du
Monde Rural
Bafoussam Représentant de
JACO Cameroun Simo
Bafoussam Jardin des
Agriculteurs Komogne Charles
Noun Foumbot Ets Moussa Traooré Betnkom Moussa 99839663
Foumbot Ets Milli Jean Milli Jean 99682678
Foumbot Ets Njoya Arouna
Kumba
Njoya Arouna
Kumba 99704234
Foumbot Ets Mdoundji
Aristide Mdoundji Aristide 99592723
69
Foumbot Ets Fouodji Lucky Fouodji Lucky 99912584
Menoua Dschang PROCHIMAGRO-CAM Moneh Brigitte 77696706
Bafou
Market Ets Tsobre Celestin Tsobre Celestin 96013372
Bafou Ets Tegomo George Tegomo George 76113769
Bambou
tos Mbouda
Ets Douanla
Emmanuel Douanla Emmanuel 75003336
Mbouda Ets Jihuinfo Joseph
Blaise
Jihuinfo Joseph
Blaise 77087523
Mbouda Ets William Frankline
Kenne
William Frankline
Kenne 75746440
Mbouda Ets Lontchi Hubert Lontchi Hubert 77931255
Mbouda Thermo Plant Kenne Richard 77754573
Mbouda PHYTO-VERT Yves Manfo 77730059
Noun Foumbot Ets Fifen Mama Fifen Mama 99767765
Ebolowa Dja et
Lobo
Meyomess
a ZENICAM-CAM Enyegue Evouna 77267896
Mvilla Ebolowa UNIVERS AGRICOLE Dontsi Laurette 99133960
Ebolowa La Maison du
Planteur Maurice Rachia
22284298/
96479324
Ebolowa Le Bon Planteur Penlap Moise 75564279
SIDECOTON Elembeng Rebecca 97293331/
22284488
Vallée
du
Ntem
Kye-ossi Kye-ossi Agro Je vous
connais Aboubakar 99513136
Ambam Maison du Planteur Jua Abel 75205758
Ambam Zephirin Tonga Tonga Rachel 94798407
Ocean Kribi Provenderies des
Eleveurs Wandji Guillaume 99215325
70
Kribi Provenderies de
l'Ocean Dongang Maurice
77474230/
99850180
C: IMPORTATERS
Action site Division Locality Structure Name Telephone
Douala Wouri Douala Inagrossa Cameroun
Sarl
Raphael Tsana
Owona 33421673
Douala Yara Cameroun Mba Jean 33405995
Douala Afcott Cameroun
Sarl Prabhaker Reddy 75306666
Douala ADER Ecrin/Ngatcha
Douala Atlantic Agri-Tech
S,A
Tafen Guy
Chamberlin
75047570/
33434366
Baffoussam Mifi Bafoussam Sopia Cameroun Sarl Lemokem Andolain 33443219/
77350545
Bafoussam Phytograines-
Cameroun Sarl Tcheussi Moise 33443527
Bafoussam G,M,R Sarl Ngambou Jean
Pierre 33443338
Buea Fako Limbe Allgrow Arung Bate Joseph 99992424
E: RESEAUX DE DISTRIBUTEURS D'ENGRAIS
Action site Division Locality Structure Name Telephone
Douala Wouri Douala
Reseau des
distributeurs du
Littora/Sud Ouest
Lekeukang Thomas 77793910/
79862360
Baffoussam Mifi Bafoussam
Reseau des
distributeurs del'
Ouest (RDEPO,GE)
Waffo Youovop 75204260
71
Ebolowa Dja et
Lobo Ebolowa
Union des
Cooperatives des
Distributeurs des
intrants Agricoles du
Sud
Enyegue Evouna 77267896