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Community Action for Development P O Box 85 Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba Division S.W Region, Cameroon Tel: (237) 9602 32 99 or (237) 77313120 E-mail: communityactionfordevelopment@yahoo.com Website: www.cadcameroon.org

FINAL PROJECT REPORT:

PROMOTING PRUNUS AFRICANA DOMESTICATION WITHIN FARMING SYSTEMS

IN THE MUANENGUBA MOUNTAIN FOREST REGION OF CAMEROON

(November 2011-December 2013)

Prepared for: PTES, UK (Donor)

By: CAD, Cameroon (Implementing Agent)

© December 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………….3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………………..4

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………5

PROJECT GOAL AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………...5

PLANNED PROJECT ACTIVITIES……………………………………………………..6

ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION………………………………………………………7-11

MARKETING OF PRUNUS SEEDLINGS BY BENEFICIARIES....................................12

CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENTS AND RESULT……………………….………………13

COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS…………………………….15

LESSONS LEARNT……………………………………………………………………….15

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED…………………………………………………………..15

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………………………………………16

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………….16

APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………16-20

Analysis of constraints and opportunities for community participation

in sustainable Prunus management in the Muanenguba Region… …………........16

The situation of Prunus africana in the region and the law…………….………....17

Project case study: The experience of a Prunus harvester and farmer……………18-19

Letter of appreciation from beneficiaries……………………………………………...20

Request letter from a local group showing interest in the Prunus project……………………21

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ACKNOWLEDLEDMENTS

We sincerely thank the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) in the UK, for the financial support given us in raising community awareness against unsustainable exploitation of Prunus africana and supporting local populations in the domestication of the species in the Muanenguba Mountain Forest Region of Cameroon. It is within the framework of such partnership that CAD is contributing to government’s efforts in sustainable management of natural resources and the improvement of livelihoods in our country, Cameroon. We hope this collaboration strengthens more and more to assist local communities meet with the challenges of wildlife conservation and sustainable development. In addition, we also thank the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (Divisional Delegation of Kupe-Muanenguba), Environment and Nature Protection and Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization for their varied support in the course of project implementation. Finally we sincerely thank the local communities we worked with for their readiness to accept innovations and active participation at various levels to make the implementation of this project a success.

Map showing the project area

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Prunus africana is a medicinal plant of international recognition growing on montane ecosystems of tropical Africa. Its products are used in traditional medicine, as well as entering international trade as the basis of drugs for the treatment of prostate gland hypertrophy. Generally in Cameroon and particularly in the Muanenguba region, methods of exploitation are unsustainable. Whole trees are debarked from the roots to branches or cut down prior to debarking, thus resulting to the death of trees. Economic operators involved in its exploitation hardly respect harvesting quotas. The reason is that both local communities and economic operators want to maximize harvest to make more money from the sale of its bark. These poor methods of exploitation subject this plant to severe threats, thus making its conservation urgent and imperative.

Due to threats faced by this species, CAD received funding support from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) in the U.K to contribute to its conservation in the Muanenguba region of Cameroon through direct regeneration, environmental education and by promoting sustainable harvesting practices. Besides building cooperation ties with other institutions with interest in Prunus such as relevant government departments, WWF-Coastal Forests Programme and the World Agro-forestry Center (ICRAF), it also contributed in improving rural livelihoods through the sale of seedlings and treatment of patients locally.

Key achievements of the project: The project helped to raise the awareness of over 1500 people on the plight, socio-economic and

environmental importance of Prunus africana as a resource and improved the understanding of local people about their legal rights and obligations on the use of this resource.

It also improved local capacities on Prunus domestication and proper harvesting techniques. Target groups acquired basic knowledge and skills on nursery establishment, on-farm planting and management of P. africana. Moreover, strategies to enhance community management of the species were elaborated and adopted, thus increasing opportunities for local participation in the conservation of the plant.

Over 14000 Prunus seedlings were acquired and distributed among farmers in 10 village communities. One central and 11 community Prunus nurseries were established with over 12,103 surviving seedlings.

9,868 trees have been planted within farming systems and woodlots by 190 farmers from 12 groups spread over 10 communities. Over 7,994 of these trees actually survived in the field making a survival

rate of 81%. In addition, beneficiary groups collectively generated the sum of 744,250FCFA (about £993) from the sale of seedlings.

This project contributed to the implementation of the Muaku Community Forest Management Plan through the provision of Prunus seedlings for enrichment planting in the Muaku Community Forest;

Promotes forest governance at community as local people were able to set up Prunus groups with elected executive committees and members involved in collective decision-making in support of the proper use and management of forest resources. Target groups are still planting and managing their farms.

However, we faced a number of difficulties ranging from death of seedlings due to fungal attack and destruction by straying animals, inability to entertain all request from local communities due to inadequate finances, inadequate extension means to project staff being viewed as forest guards.

Prunus tree completely debarked

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1. INTRODUCTION

In 1995, the government of Cameroon formulated a new forestry policy with the aim to protect the environment and its resources. One of the objectives of this policy and the legal framework provided for (1994 Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Laws) is to increase the involvement and participation of local populations in the management and conservation of forest and wildlife resources and improve local livelihoods. It is in this backdrop that the The People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ funding came through the project titled ‘Promoting Prunus africana Domestication Within Existing Local Farming Systems in the Muanenguba Mounatin Forest Region of Cameroon,’ with CAD as the implementing agent, to support government and community efforts in sustainable natural resource use and management. This project sought to raise community awareness on the plight and importance of Prunus africana as well as improve local capacities on sustainable harvesting techniques that will help this species to continue to thrive. In addition, it sought to enhance the establishment of community nurseries and the integration of Prunus africana in existing farming systems. This report provides highlights on the project implementation, achievements, challenges and constraints from December 2011 to November 2013.

2. PROJECT GOAL AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Project Goal: To promote Prunus conservation through regeneration and sustainable harvesting practices.

Specific Objectives To raise awareness on the plight and importance of P. africana,

To build local capacities on Prunus harvesting and domestication techniques

To assist local communities regenerate Prunus and improve household revenue

Farmers taking Prunus seedlings to planting site Prunus farmer in Muelong

tplanting site

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3. PLANNED ACTIVITIES

Objectives Activity Expected Result Result indicator

To raise awareness on the plight and importance of P. africana,

Community mobilisation 4 preliminary meetings held in Muabi, Poala, Nkack and Muaku

Reports of meeting produced by end of September 2011

Sensitise local communities on importance and threats faced by P. africana

4 village meeting organised At least 100 people gain knowledge about the importance of Prunus africana as a resource.

Meeting report is produced by December 2011

To build local capacities on Prunus harvesting and domestication techniques

Train on Prunus domestication and harvesting techniques

One workshop is organized for stakeholder representatives

At least 65 people gain skills and knowledge Prunus domestication and harvesting techniques by November 2011.

Workshop reports produced by same period.

To assist local communities regenerate Prunus and improve household revenue

Set up a propagation unit One propagation unit set up At least 1000 cuttings raised and distributed to farmers by end of project

Establish a central tree nursery

one central nursery is establish as a learning center for farmers

A nursery of 5000 seedlings set up by January 2012

Assist in establishment of community and school Prunus nurseries

At least 5 community nurseries each of a capacity of 3000 seedlings set up in the project area.

Existence of well managed nurseries in 4 target communities by October 2011

At least 100 people from ten household families take up Prunus cultivation as an income-generating activity.

Local people generate additional income from sale of Prunus seedlings

Assist local people integrate prunus into farming systems

Over 10.000 seedlings planted in farms

At least 10 farms emerge as agro-forestry systems based on Prunus by the end of the by August 2013

Monitoring and evaluation Effective management of project enhanced

The ability of CAD staff and local people in project management is improved.

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4. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION

Identification and sensitisation Prunus Farmers Following identification of Prunus farmers, CAD organized a series of community-based sensitization meetings with the local populations to raise awareness on the importance and plight of Prunus from the 13-15th of December 2011. Over 1500 people gained knowledge on the socio-economic and cultural value of Prunus as well as its conservation problems. In addition local people understood their legal rights and obligations in the use of this resource and were able to proposed strategies for its sustainable use and management. Through interviews and barnstorming sessions, local people highlighted the importance and conservation problems of Prunus in the project areas as follows:

Importance Conservation problems

Prunus barks and leaves are used locally to treat stomach aches, chest pains, heartburns, fevers, malaria and sexually transmissible diseases

Boiled and used as tea and for blood purification

Prunus trees are completely cut down before debarking without replacement. Others are peeled from roots to smallest branches, resulting to the death of wild species.

Prunus serves as a source of income for local communities. During the project, local people raised 744,250FCFA, about £993 from the sale of Prunus seedlings alone.

Due to expansion in agricultural land, Prunus forests are fast turned into farmlands

Wood from Prunus is locally used in making tools such as axes and hoe handles, building poles, timber and fuel wood

Bushfires by herdsmen and wild honey collectors frequently destroy Prunus trees at boundaries between forest and grassland areas

Wild Prunus trees provide seeds and seedlings that farmers can use to plant on farms

Trampling of wild Prunus seedlings by cattle does not allow for the tree to grow naturally in at forest fringes.

Prunus can be used to create agro-forestry systems Many individuals involved in Prunus exploitation do not respect the official quantities of barks to be harvested and try to harvest more than can grow in nature.

Inadequate local capacities in Prunus conservation.

Prunus forest lost through deforestation

Sensitising local populations on the importance of Prunus

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Workshop on Prunus Domestication CAD organized a training workshop on Prunus africana domestication and proper harvesting techniques on the 22nd of February 2012 in Bangem with financial assistance from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species in the UK. The workshop that held under the auspices of the Lord Mayor to the Bangem Council, Mr. Ekonloeh Benedict, brought together over 40 representatives from various stakeholders. The long-term goal of this workshop was to foster sustainable use and support local people to integrate Prunus trees within farming systems. The objectives of the workshop were:

To train local communities on Prunus domestication and proper harvesting techniques; To highlight the importance and problems of Prunus africana; To elaborate a conservation strategy for Prunus in the Muanenguba region. To exchange experiences on Prunus africana.

Participants at CAD’s Prunus Workshop in Bangem Agric. Technician Schools on Prunus Nursery

Collection of Prunus wildlings and establishment of central and community nurseries Throughout the project, 14000 Prunus seedlings were acquired and distributed among farmers in 10 village communities. One central and 11 community and individual Prunus nurseries were established with over 12,253 surviving seedlings with a survival rate of 88%. 190 persons including 131 men and 59 women participated in nursery activities by the end of 2013.

A. Group nursery in Muelong village B. CAD Central Nursery

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The following groups and individual have well established and managed nurseries:

S/N Name of group Location Membership Number of seedlings

surviving in nurseries

Contact

M F Total

1 Nda-Mpong group Nkack 18 4 22 1650 Diame Ngwese

2 Monya Monya group Ebonemin 15 8 23 800 Mesumbe Peter

3 Wenboeh group Poala 7 3 10 1,350 Ngwese Joseph

4 Mbong Joseph Eyolle Poala 4 1 5 1660 Mbong Joseph

5 Elong James household group Muelong 17 9 26 1895 Elong James

6 Young couples CIG Nteho 12 13 25 740 Ekane Nsonge

7 Central nursery Bangem 0 0 0 950 CAD staff

8 Muaku Community Forest Management Committee

Muaku 25 3 28 658 Ekane David

9 Muaku Agroforestry group Muaku 5 4 9 1450 Ngalle David Ebah

10 Muakwe Youths Association Muakwe 10 5 15 0 Ewane Mathias

11 Muasuk Group Muabi 4 3 7 950 Elung Nkeng

12 Elum-Epenebel Farmers Association Elum 14 6 20 150 Mr. Mballe

Total 131 59 190 12,253

Table1: Showing the effective local participation in Prunus planting and the number of surviving seedling in nurseries

Construction of a local propagator It is sometimes difficult to obtain Prunus seeds and seed production is always seasonal. In order to ensure a regular supply of Prunus planting materials and reduce seasonal dependence on wild seeds, we constructed a local propagator to produce cuttings and seedlings for farmers. This propagation unit is also used to teach local people simple procedures in growing Prunus from cuttings.

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Purchase and Donation of Tree Nursery Tools to target Groups To facilitate tree nursery work at community, CAD bought and freely distributed assorted tools and Prunus seedlings to target groups. Tools and materials included spades, shovels, rakes, wheel barrows, cutlasses and watering cans. The security and management of equipment has been entrusted in the hands of the groups’ executive. In addition, we bought one field motorcycle to ease extension work.

CAD donating tree planting tools to Prunus farmers

Planting of Prunus into Existing Farming Systems

In fulfilment of our objective to integrate Prunus into existing farming systems, over 10,000 trees have been planted within farming systems and woodlots by 190 farmers from 12 groups spread over 10 village communities. Over 8000 of these actually survived in the field making a survival rate of 81%. In addition, all beneficiaries groups raised 744,250FCFA (about £993) from the sale of seedlings. Prunus is planted together with plantains, maize, coco yams, cassava and coffee.

Farmers planting prunus on farms

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Table 2: Showing the number of trees in nurseries, out-planted and their survival in the field

S/N Name of group No. of seedlings surviving in nurseries

No. of trees out planted at the end of 2013

No. of trees surviving in fields at the end of 2013

1 Nda-Mpong group 1650 1350 924

2 Monya Monya group 800 622 466

3 Wenboeh group 1,350 1021 975

4 Mbong Joseph Eyolle 1660 850 826

5 Elong James household group 1895 1320 1235

6 Young couples CIG 740 165 165

7 Central nursery 950 Supplied to farmers without nurseries

0

9 Muaku Community Forest Management Committee

658 960 741

10 Muaku Agroforestry group 1450 1320 855

11 Muakwe youths association 0 830 823

12 Muasuk Group 950 1430 984

13 Elum-Epenebel Farmers Association 150 150 89

Total 12,253 10,018 8,083

Survival rate is 81%

Participation at Network Activities Relevant to the Prunus Project CAD’s participation at the Network Meeting on Forest Governance Initiative in Cameroon held in

Yaounde in May 2012. During this meeting CAD made a presentation on the project and how it has helped local communities involved in sustainable management of natural resources.

CAD also participated at the Regional Platform workshop on REDD+ that held in Buea in June 2012. Our project on Prunus domestication plays an important role in contributing to reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation of the environment by providing micro-sinks for one of the green house gases, carbon dioxide

In June 2013, CAD took part in a Round Table Conference on poaching and bush meat issues in the Central Africa Sub-region organised by IUCN PACO and WWF in Yaounde.

Monitoring and Evaluation

In order to ensure good progress in local peoples’ activities our extension staff paid regular visits to check activity progress and provide technical advice where necessary. In addition, the target groups are being empowered to carry out the responsibility of checking illegal activity and reporting victims to the forestry administration.

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5. MARKETING OF PRUNUS AFRICANA SEEDLINGS BY BENEFICIARIES

Prunus is a potential cash crop for local populations. During the period under review, project beneficiaries generated additional income from the sale of seedlings and treatment of patients locally. Below is a table showing financial gains made by some Prunus farmers in the project area:

S/N Name of group Quantity of seedlings sold

Amount of money sold in FCFA

Amount in £

1 Nda-Mpong group 212 53,000 71

2 Monya Monya group 25 6,250 8

3 Wenboeh group 554 138,500 185

4 Mbong Joseph household group 1200 300,000 400

5 Elong James Household group 143 35,750 48

6 Young couples CIG 28 7,000 9

7 Muaku Community Forest Management Committee 0 0 0

8 Muaku Agroforestry group 0 0 0

9 Muakwe Youths association 15 3,750 5

10 Muasuk Group 800 200,000 267

11 Elum-Epenebel Farmers Association 0 0 0

Total 744,250 993

Table 3: Showing the sale of prunus seedlings by project beneficiaries in 2012

German partners visit CAD's projects in Cameroon

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5.0 CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENTS AND BENEFITS FROM THE PROJECT

Activity Achievements Socio-economic benefits Environmental benefits

Sensitize communities on the importance of P. africana

190 farmers representing groups from 12 village communities have been sensitised on the importance of Prunus africana.

Local participation in the effective implementation of the project has been enlisted and encouraged;

People aware of the socio-economic value of the plant

Local people have increased their knowledge on the plight and socio-economic value of Prunus africana conservation and the consequences of illegal Prunus exploitation.

Threats facing Prunus africana have been identified and community-based strategies for its conservation have been elaborated.

Workshop on Prunus domestication

CAD has organised on workshop on Prunus domestication techniques in February 2012

Over 40 group representatives gained skills and knowledge on how to farm and manage P. africana.

Local people beginning to accept Prunus as a potential cash crop

Capacities of farmers to domesticate and sustainably harvest Prunus are improved;

Capacities of the local forestry administration to fight illegal exploitation of Prunus in the wild are improved;

Strategies to enhance community management of P. africana elaborated

CAD’s capacities to implement new Prunus farming technologies on the ground are improved.

Purchase and donate assorted tools to Prunus farmers

Assorted planting tools bought and distributed to farmer active in Prunus domestication.

Reduced spending of growers in farming activities

Improve capacity of local people to domesticate prunus

Construct a local propagator

One propagator has been constructed to produce cuttings

Local people have cheap access to Prunus cuttings

Systems for ex-situ conservation of the species put in place

Prunus planting materials brought closer to farmers

Collection of Prunus wildlings

14000 seedlings have been collected from the wild and put in nurseries

10 groups raised 744,250FCFA, about £993 from the sale of Prunus seedlings

Appropriate Prunus domestication and harvesting methods are put into practice by local people.

Project is helping in the implementation of the Muaku Community Forest Management Plan through the provision of Prunus seedlings for enrichment planting in the Muaku Community Forest.

Establish Prunus nurseries

13 Prunus nurseries have been set up with over 12,253 surviving seedlings.

Out planting of Prunus

Over 190 farmers from 10 village communities are already involved in Prunus domestication

10,018 trees have been planted within farming systems by 11 groups from 10 village communities. 8,083 of these planted trees are surviving in the field making a survival rate of 81%

Local people are generating additional income from the sale of Prunus, and treatment of patients locally.

There is increase community control on both planted and wild Prunus to reduce its abusive exploitation

Increase in agro-biodiversity enhanced

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6.0 COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS

We adopted a participatory approach during project implementation. We lobbied and won the support of local administration and the Technical Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (Divisional Delegation for Kupe Muanenguba) in project implementation. Staff of these Ministries actively officiated in workshops and meetings making tremendous and valuable technical contributions during project implementation.

Partnership meetings with WWF and local forestry administration

8. LESSONS LEARNT Very tender Prunus seedlings establish and survive better in nursery that older ones; Prunus is good for mixed farming systems. Some farmers are already associating Prunus with other

crops on farms. The plant is important in agro-forestry and can be used for life fencing;

Herbalists in the project area have domesticated Prunus, without outside influence.

Poverty is the drive behind illegal forest exploitation including that of Prunus africana.

9. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

Death of Prunus seedlings due to fungal and borer attack and poor establishment of seedlings

Destruction of some nursery shade by strong winds and straying animals;

Inadequate mobile means for extension activities. This is coupled with inaccessibility of some communities such as Poala and Muabi that can only be reached by trekking;

A few farmers have been so immersed in cocoa activities, and so have little time to care for their nurseries;

Some people viewed CAD staff as forest guards. It was therefore difficult to assemble them because they either hide their identity as Prunus harvesters or deliberately boycotted the meetings;

Inadequate training equipment to allow better display and spread of information while in villages;

A number of Prunus harvesters were still hard to convince and vowed not to desist from illegal practices, especially as people consider this a very lucrative activity.

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10. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations have been put forward based on experience gathered from the field:

There is need to sustain community sensitization and campaigns efforts against current unsustainable harvesting methods and practices as well as capacity building of local communities in Prunus conservation and other forest resources. Also, CAD, together with local communities should develop and implement concrete and practical measures that would contribute to the sustainability of Prunus africana;

Local communities are ignorant about existing forest policy and legislation. It is therefore important to keep local communities aware of the legal provisions of the 1994 forestry and wildlife law with respect to Prunus exploitation and other Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Cameroon;

There is need to encourage the enrichment planting in the Muaku community forest with focus on Prunus;

There is need to put in place functional Prunus management structures (Prunus groups/associations, unions) to monitor and control unsustainable exploitation of Prunus africana at community level;

Provide conservation education in primary schools, colleges and whole communities in order to help people recognize the need of conserving their resources;

Because there exist is scanty baseline information on Prunus population in the project area, there is an urgent need to obtain more information through inventories in order to ascertain the sustainable yields and consequently the appropriate take-off levels for the region;

In order to ensure an effective and acceptable participatory approach, MINFOF should improve collaboration with the local administration, communities and NGOs such as CAD in all issues of Prunus management in the region;

CAD and other relevant institutions should engage in developing the capacities of local communities in various areas such as nursery, harvesting and planting techniques;

There is need for communities working together with CAD, MINFOF and other institutions to organise themselves and attribute a legal status to the Muanenguba forest by exploring the provisions of the 1994 forestry law.

There is need to secure long-term funding for Prunus conservation for local communities in the region.

11. CONCLUSION

Despite the difficult environment in which we operate, we are of the conviction that all planned activities have been achieved and on schedule. We wish to sincerely thank the People’s Trust for Endangered Species for the financial support given CAD for this project and it is our hope that this collaboration grows from strength to strength to the advantage of local populations whose survival is intricately linked to forest and wildlife resources.

Prepared for PTES by the CAD Team

Martin N. Etone

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12.0 APPENDICES

12.1 ANALYSIS OF THE CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE PRUNUS MANAGEMENT

Opportunities Problems Actions to be taken

Community Civil society Government

Community solidarity

Land availability

Local labour force

Existing limited awareness on unsustainable exploitation of Prunus

Support from local administration,MINFOF, CAD

Available market for Prunus

Difficulties of getting seeds and seedlings

Lack of awareness on importance of Prunus

Ongoing Illegal and unsustainable exploitation

Destruction by farmer/grazers

Inadequate interest on domestication of Prunus

Inadequate support from MINFOF services

Limited knowledge on Prunus silvicultural and ecological requirements

Disputes between chiefs

Create Prunus seed banks

Form Prunus associations with support from CAD, MINFOF

Surveillance by villages near to Prunus forests

Include Prunus planting in Village Development Plans(VDP)

Plant Prunus in schools catchment areas, woodlots and streets.

Engage in alternative economic activities(livestock, gardening, beekeeping etc)

Provide interesting farmers with planting materials

Sensitize villages on the importance and situation of Prunus

Sensitise schools on the importance of Prunus

Build local capacities on sustainable harvesting practices and methods

Sensitization workshops on conflict management and community participation

Creation of giant nurseries within communities

Intensify training on nursery techniques

Provide grants and subsidies to Prunus farmers and NGOs

Explain the 1994 forestry laws to local people and its implication in Prunus exploitation.

Improve the conservation status of Prunus forests in the Muanenguba region

Demarcation of Prunus zones

Encourage regeneration programme at community level

Support alternative economic options among villages

Source: CAD workshop on Prunus 2012

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12.2 THE SITUATION OF PRUNUS AFRICANA IN THE REGION AND THE LAW

Opportunities Problems Actions to be taken

Community level Civil society Government

Available Prunus stock

CAD and other conservation initiatives in the region

Support of local administration including MINFOF, other institutions

Legal recognition of forest exploitation as an integral part of forest management

Existing knowledgeable resources persons in the communities

Limited awareness on the importance of Prunus

Insufficient information on Prunus population and marketing

Lack of efficient participatory monitoring and control systems

Illegal and unsustainable harvesting practices

Non-implementation of forestry legislation

Insufficient MINFOF staff for surveillance and control

Declining Prunus population

Non-involvement of women in Prunus activities

Continuous bushfires by honey harvesters and herdsmen

Agricultural expansion and the felling of Prunus trees

Enforce customary laws against illegal Prunus exploitation

Create awareness on Prunus

Form vigilante groups

Establish community forests and form forest management committees

Engage in alternative economic activities.

Carry out Prunus domestication(collect seeds and seedling for nursery establishment

Creation of Prunus farmer association

Integrating Prunus in existing farms

Encourage Prunus regeneration activities

Build capacities of people on proper harvesting techniques

Carry out environmental education in schools and communities

Support local tree planting initiatives

Conduct Prunus inventory over in the area

MINFOF to improve collaboration with major stakeholders such as local administration, CAD and the communities

Improve the capacity personnel

Support fund for local tree planting initiatives

Grant permit to those who can grow Prunus plantations

Source: CAD workshop on Prunus 2012

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12.3 PROJECT CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY: THE EXPERIENCE OF A PRUNUS HARVESTER AND FARMER IN POALA, A VILLAGE LOCATED ON THE SLOPES OF THE MOUNT MUANENGUBA.

Prunus africana is a medicinal plant of international recognition found in mountainous areas of tropical Africa and Madagascar. It is harvested for its bark, which has medicinal properties, and timber. Despite being a major source of pharmaceutical products important for local income generation, it remains an essentially wild resource. The products are traded locally and used in traditional medicine, as well as entering international trade as the basis of drugs for the treatment of prostate gland hypertrophy. Over-exploitation of the tree bark from natural forest is seriously reducing the limited resources of this tree species, threatening: rural livelihoods, future sources of the pharmaceutical product, and the integrity of montane ecosystems in Africa. However, poor methods of exploitation have subjected this plant to severe threats and eventual extinction. Reasons why this species is listed on Appendix II of the CITES Convention and included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Prunus can be seen as an essential and potential cash crop in Africa.

The Community Action for Development (CAD), a local organisation working in the SW region of Cameroon, is currently implementing a Prunus conservation project in the Muanenguba area with financial support from the People‟s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) in the U.K.

Below is an excerpt of an interview conducted with Mr Allah Joseph Mbong, a Prunus harvester and farmer in a small village Poala, with over 40 years of experience with Prunus africana in the Munangeuba Mountain forest region of Cameroon.

Question: Pa Allah, we are happy for giving us some time to discuss with you. You are one of those involved in harvesting Prunus barks in the early seventies. Please can you tell us your experience of this plant and how its exploitation started in your area?

Response:

“My name is Mr.Allah Joseph Mbong, the President of the Allah Prunus Group in Poala, Bangem. I thank you for choosing me as your focus of discussion.

I knew about Prunus africana as a medicinal plant before PLANTECAM and other exploiters came to our area in 1972. At that time it was collected for traditional medicine. When PLANTECAM came, we were told the plant has more medicinal value. PLATECAM taught us how to harvest Prunus bark without killing the tree. I could harvest 70-80kg of Prunus bark each day. A kilogram of Prunus bark was sold at 150FCFA at the time. I sold barks for 300,000FCFA within one year. I used this money to sponsor my junior brother in school. Today he is a secondary school teacher”.

Question: You just said you were taught how to harvest trees without killing them. Why it is that one can see several dead Prunus trees today in the Muanenguba forest?

Response:

This bad way of harvesting bark came when some individual exploiters arrived in the area after the departure of PLANTECAM. There was a lot of competition and we could debark whole trees and even fell them before doing so. This caused many trees to die.

Question: Are you still harvesting barks from wild trees? Response: No. It is very hard to find trees to harvest now because many are dead. I am a lot older now to even do this activity. Questions: But I see that you are now producing Prunus seedlings. Why?

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Response:

When I understood that I could make money from Prunus, I started collecting and nursing wild seedlings. Some people, including Mr Ekuh Simon, the current Mayor to the Bangem Council and the then Head teacher in our primary school joined me in creating Prunus nurseries. I supply seedlings to many other people at 100FCFA each. Today I sell a seedling at 250FCFA. Within a year and, I raised 200,000FCFA from selling seedlings. I used this money to buy my coffee farm and a sleeping bed.

Despite the coffee farm, producing and selling Prunus seedlings is my main occupation. I collect Prunus wildings even in times of torrential rains and raise them in a nursery near my home.

Question: What is your relationship with CAD?

Response:

As the adage goes „one hand does not tie a bundle‟. CAD is an important partner to my group and our activities. Firstly, CAD trained us on proper bark harvesting methods and on how to establish

Prunus nurseries. Secondly, CAD helped to organise us into a functional group of 6 members (2 women and 4 men). The women make mounts and fill polythene bags, while the men collect tender seedlings from the forest and nurse them in pots. I thank CAD for providing us with both knowledge and working tools such as wheel barrows, watering cans, spades and diggers. These tools have made our work easier and faster. I hope to produce more seedlings in future than before.

Question: What benefits have you and your group had from Prunus?

Response:

I have got many benefits. I had money that I used to sponsor my brother in school and bought a farm. At first I did not have a bed. I was able to buy one that I am sleeping on today. We have received working tools from CAD and they are teaching us on how to conserve Prunus. Now that people are seeing that I am benefiting, they too are raising seedlings. They always come to me for advice on how to go about Prunus nurseries.

Question: Are there any particular problems you face in your work?

Response:

In the forest, thorns pierce me and I am bitten by wild insects. I have had confrontations from neighbouring village communities that we have trespassed to their part of the forest and I had my bark and seedlings seized.

At the level of the nursery, I suffer from disease attack and theft of seedlings. I need treatment for the disease.

Question: Have you tried to plant some of your seedlings in the field?

Response:

Yes. I have planted over 150 in my farm. But I have planted for other people. I have planted over 3000 Prunus trees for other people and they pay me for the labour.

Question: Any advice for others?

Response: I will like to advise other people to take interest in planting Prunus. It can give income and can be planted with other crops.

Interview conducted by Martin N. Etone

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12.4 LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM BENEFICIARIES

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12.5 REQUEST LETTER FROM A LOCAL GROUP SHOWING INTEREST IN THE PRUNUS

PROJECT