66794 INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON: A South-to-South Collaboration for Technology Transfer The Tugi Silvopastoral Project FEBRUARY 2012 REPORT NUMBER: 66794-CM INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON: A South-to-South Collaboration for Technology Transfer The Tugi Silvopastoral Project REPORT NO. 66794-CM ARD AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT © 2012 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org All rights reserved. This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The �ndings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this publication is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank encour- ages dissemination of its work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly. All the queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to the Of�ce of the Publisher, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2422; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Cover photo: Authors. CONTENTS III Table of CONTENTS List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 The General Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.2 Human Settlement in the Gutah Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.3 Livelihood Strategies in the Gutah Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.4 Marketing Farm Produce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chapter 2: Objectives of the TUSIP Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter 3: Methodological Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chapter 4: Baseline Household and Farm Characterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Chapter 5: Establishment of Silvopastoral Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 5.1 Representativeness of the Pilot Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 5.2 Soil Fertility in Pastures Chosen for Intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 5.3 Pasture Degradation Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 5.4 Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 5.5 Fencing as the Basis for Establishing Rotational Grazing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 5.6 Establishment of Grass/Legume Fodder Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 5.7 Investment in Rehabilitating Grazing Areas and Planting the Fodder Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 5.8 Building Multistrata Live Fences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Chapter 6: Evaluation of Forage Germplasm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chapter 7: Propagation and Improvement of Nonfodder Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chapter 8: Other Interventions Related to the Use of Fodder Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 8.1 Design of Semi-Zero Grazing Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 8.2 Raising Sheep and Goats in Elevated Pens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Chapter 9: Ex Ante Evaluation of Silvopastoral Technology Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 9.1 Biological Responses to the Proposed Interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 9.2 Economic Feasibility of the Proposed Interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) IV C ONTENTS Chapter 10: Investment in Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Chapter 11: Development of Local Capabilities for Implementation of Silvopastoral Systems . 41 11.1 Participatory Learning Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 11.2 Preparation of Extension Bulletins and Leaflets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 11.3 Training Project Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Chapter 12: Understanding Farmers’ Perceptions and Expectations of Project Interventions . 47 Chapter 13: Raising Awareness on TUSIP Objectives and Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Chapter 14: Establishment of Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Chapter 15: A Proposal for Scaling TUSIP Lessons Learned “Up and Out� . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Chapter 16: The Way Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Chapter 17: Budget Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Chapter 18: Some Final Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Appendix: Select Comments from Peer Reviewers and Responses by Authors . . . . . . . . . . . 61 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON LI S T O F TA B L E S V LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1: Ranking of Constraints Identi�ed by Male (M) and Female (F) Interviewees in Two Quarters of Tugi Village and One Quarter of Chup Village. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Table 5.1: Location of Pastures in Pilot Farms Selected for Implementation of Silvopastoral Options . . . . 11 Table 5.2: Attributes of Soil Samples Taken in Farms Chosen for Implementation of Silvopastoral Options in the Pilot Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Table 5.3: Scale Used for the Evaluation of the Pasture Degradation Status in Paddocks . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Table 5.4: Botanical Composition (Percent) of the Paddocks Chosen for Intervention in the Five Pilot Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Table 5.5: Level of Pasture Degradation in the Paddocks before Intervention with Silvopastoral Options in Five Pilot Farms in Tugi Village and the Tuochup Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Table 5.6: Level of Degradation within the Paddock Before Intervention with Silvopastoral Options at Gyindong Community Farm in Tugi Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Table 5.7: Changes in Vegetation Cover Due to Management in the Grazing Areas of Two Pilot Farms . . . 17 Table 5.8: Costs of Installing 100 m of Permanent Barbed Wire Fence in Tugi Village, NWR Cameroon . . . 18 Table 5.9: Area and Perimeter Fenced, and Investment in the Five TUSIP Pilot Farms, Considering the Grazing and Fodder Bank Areas Established . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Table 6.1: Forage Species/Accessions Provided by ILRI for Testing Under Tugi Village Conditions . . . . . . 25 Table 6.2: Germination Rate for Seeds of Woody Legumes Received from ILRI and Planted at the Nursery in Tugi Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Table 9.1: Monthly Variation in Rainfall, Forage Availability and Quality, and the Amount and Quality of Fodder Offered for Three Feeding Strategies Based in Pastures in Tugi Village . . . . . 31 Table 9.2: Expected Live Weight Gain (LWG) per Animal (kg/day) and Beef Productivity (kg/ha/day) for Animals Raised up to 400 and 500 kg under Three Feeding Strategies Based on Pastures in Tugi Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Table 9.3: Estimated Methane Emissions, Manure Production, and Total Nitrogen Excretion for Animals Raised up to 400 and 500 kg under Three Feeding Strategies on Pastures in Tugi Village . . . . . 33 Table 9.4: Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Native Cattle in Tugi Village . . . . . . . . . . 34 Table 17.1: TUSIP Financial Report for the Period 1 November 2009 to 30 September 2011 . . . . . . . . . 57 A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) LI S T O F F I G U R E S V II LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: World Bank Staff on Mission and Group of Meta People Who Participated in Project Activities . . . . . 1 Figure 1.2: Group of Fulani Men Visited by TUSIP Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Figure 1.3: Meta Woman Working Her Cropland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Figure 1.4: Fulani Herdsman Controlling Grazing Animals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Figure 1.5: Meta Boys Taking Their Goats for Grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Figure 1.6: Fulani Girl Helping the Family Graze Cows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Figure 1.7: Inspecting Animals and Then Negotiating Prices at a Tugi Local Cattle Market . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Figure 1.8: Women Selling Their Crops in the Tugi Local Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Figure 4.1: Research Assistant Interviewing a Family Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Figure 4.2: Focus Group Discussion with Quarter Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Figure 5.1: A Landscape View of the Community Farm (Gyindong) in Tugi Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Figure 5.2: Native Cattle Grazing in Degraded Pastures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Figure 5.3: Evaluating Pasture Degradation in the Dry Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Figure 5.4: Evaluating Pasture Degradation in the Rainy Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Figure 5.5: The Bracken Fern, a Very Potent Invasive Weed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Figure 5.6: Chemical Control of the Bracken Fern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Figure 5.7: Tensioning Barbed Wire and Nailing a Dead Fence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Figure 5.8: Constructing a Fence Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Figure 5.9: Fencing and Paddocks Arrangement at Tangyie Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Figure 5.10: Internal Division of Paddocks in the Grazing Area at Munoh Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Figure 5.11: Internal Divisions for Paddocks at the Gyindong Community Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Figure 5.12: Preparing Guatemala Grass Cuttings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Figure 5.13: Planting a Guatemala Grass Plus Acacia Fodder Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Figure 6.1: Evaluation of Forage Seed Germination Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Figure 6.2: Planting Fodder Tree Seeds in the Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Figure 7.1: General View of the Tree Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Figure 7.2: Multiplying Fruit Trees in Polyethylene Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Figure 8.1: Water Facilities in Semi-Zero Grazing Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Figure 8.2: Harvesting the Fodder Bank for Feeding Cattle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Figure 8.3: Goats Traditionally Managed with a Rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHN OLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) VIII LIST O F FIGUR ES Figure 8.4: Elevated Pens for Raising Sheep and Goats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Figure 9.1: Changes in Net Income (USD) Due to Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Growing (200–400 kg BW) and Finishing (400–500 kg BW) Animals, under the Conditions of Tugi Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Figure 9.2: Changes in Net Income (USD) Due to Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Growing (200–400 kg BW) and Finishing (400–500 kg BW) Animals, Assuming 50 Percent of Fencing Costs Are Subsidized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Figure 9.3: Changes in Net Income (USD) Due to Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Growing (200–400 kg BW) and Finishing (400–500 kg BW) Animals, Assuming 100 Percent of Fencing Costs Are Subsidized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Figure 10.1: Main House for the Herdsman and His Family at Community Farm in Gyindong . . . . . . . . 37 Figure 10.2: Side View of Herdsman’s House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Figure 10.3: Building to Complement the Herdsman’s House, Including Storage Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Figure 10.4: Another View of Secondary Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Figure 10.5: Corral Gate at Munoh Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Figure 10.6: Feeders and Drinking Trough at Munoh Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Figure 10.7: Stone Pavement Corral Floor at Munoh Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Figure 10.8: Corral’s Contention Crutch at Munoh Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Figure 10.9: Drinking Trough and Water Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Figure 10.10: Herdsman’s House at Munoh Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Figure 10.11: Young Crossbred Bull from Jakiri (with a Low Proportion of Holstein Genes) . . . . . . . . . 39 Figure 10.12: Type of Animals Purchased at PRTC-Nfonta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Figure 10.13: Type of Animals Purchased at SODEPA-Jakiri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Figure 10.14: Crossbred Gudhali × Holstein Young Cow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Figure 11.1: Youth Participating in a Weed Control Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Figure 11.2: Review Session on How to Build Fences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Figure 11.3: Youth Preparing the Substrate for Growing Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Figure 11.4: Graduates of the Tree Nursery Management Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Figure 11.5: Women Carrying Guatemala Grass Cuttings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Figure 11.6: Women Discussing How to Plant Fodder Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Figure 11.7: The Gender Specialist Applying Participatory Methods in Training a Women’s Group . . . . . 44 Figure 11.8: The Research Assistant Applying Participatory Methods in Training a Men’s Group . . . . . . 44 Figure 11.9: The TUSIP Research Assistant Checking a Simple Fodder Chopper in Santa Cruz de Turrialba (Costa Rica). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Figure 11.10: The TUSIP Research Assistant Learning about Cratylia argentea (a Fodder Tree) at UTN/ECAG in Atenas (Costa Rica) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Figure 13.1: CATIE Technical Advisor Presenting TUSIP to Government Of�cials in Momo Division . . . . . 49 Figure 13.2: Participants in a Workshop Held in Mbengwi to Present a TUSIP Progress Report . . . . . . . 49 INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON ACK N O W L E D G E ME NT S IX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Tugi Silvopastoral Project (TUSIP) empirical results and achievements reported here would not be possible without the strong commitment and support provided by His Royal Highness (HRH) Wilson Munoh Mbakwa IV, the fon of Tugi, and his quarter heads. The owners of the pilot farms—Samuel Ane Fongho, Samuel Bangwa, and Abraham Abanda (Bagham Farm); Humphrey Tah, Jonathan Forchit, and Jonathan Nanji (Tah Farm); HRH Wilson Munoh Mbakwa IV, Emmanuel Agwe, and Agnes Mbakwa (Munoh Farm); and Gregory Tebug, Thomas Tebug, and Martin Muna Tebug (Tangyie Farm)—believed in TUSIP innovations, took the risk of the unknown and opened their farms, and worked hand in hand with the project staff implementing the silvopastoral options on their farms. The support provided and interest expressed by Mr. George Tah, mayor of Mbengwi Council, in the work conducted by TUSIP, as well as his openness to facilitate the contacts with the senior divisional of�cer for Momo Division and with the local of�ces of the technical ministries directly related to TUSIP, are highly appreciated. The dedication of TUSIP technical and administrative staff, as well as the Project Management Committee, under the leader- ship of Dr. Ajaga Nji, president and founder of Akwi Memorial Foundation (AMF), interacting positively with staff (Muhammad Ibrahim, Danilo Pezo, and Braulio Cerdas) of the Livestock and Environment Program (GAMMA) at the Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE), contributed to the signi�cant changes being made on the participating pilot farms, despite the relatively short period over which the project operated. Special recognition is given to Mr. Chick Herman Azah (research assistant), Ms. Doris Ndang (gender specialist), Ms. Catherine Mbinkai Tazuh (gender specialist), Mr. Thomas Tumasang Tebug (consultant in animal husbandry), Mr. Walters Ndibang (�eld assistant), Mr. Samuel Sabi (driver), and the youth and women’s groups for their enthusiastic involvement in the �eld work. All shared their knowledge, energy, food, and joyful spirit, making the work in the mountains an unforgettable experience. Thanks also to Mr. Martin Mbakwa for the support provided from the AMF Of�ce in Bamenda. Special thanks to Dr. Jonathan Ndaa Agwe from the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., for the valuable com- ments and advice made throughout the continuous monitoring of the project. The comments and suggestions made by Dr. Mark Cackler and Dr. Jimmy Smith from the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., during the visit made to TUSIP in October 2010 are also highly appreciated. Dr. Agwe provided the leadership for the technical assistance team, along with �duciary administration support and coordination of the peer-review process. Jonathan also provided production and initial manuscript editing, while Dr. Amy Gautam provided �nal manuscript editing and proofreading. We appreciate the support provided by Dr. Ebenezar Assah and his staff at the World Agro-forestry Center (ICRAF) of�ce in Cameroon and by Dr. Jean Hanson of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Both contributed germplasm to be evaluated under TUSIP. ICRAF also collaborated in the design of tree nursery facilities and in training farmers in different tree nursery techniques with Mr. Louis Chin as trainer. The hospitality and friendship offered by all members of the Tugi community helped the technical advisor feel at home, enjoy the work of climbing the hills, and learn about the Meta traditions. The support and assistance provided by Tugians who live in Bamenda during the visits the technical advisor made to the city are also greatly appreciated. Finally, we acknowledge the World Bank’s Trust Fund for Environmental and Socially Sustainable Development for their sponsorship of the pilot whose results we share in this report. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) ABB R E V I AT I O N S XI ABBREVIATIONS AMF Akwi Memorial Foundation ILRI International Livestock Research Institute AU Animal unit IRAD Institute de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement BW Body weight IRR Internal rate of return CATIE Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre LIFE-SIM Livestock feeding strategies simulation model CEC Cation exchange capacity LWG Live weight gain CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research MASL Meters above sea level CIP International Potato Center MECUDA Meta Cultural and Development Association CP Crude protein NGO Nongovernment organization DM Dry matter NWR North West region ECAG The Central American School for Livestock Production PES Payment for environmental services FCFA Franc de la Communauté Financière PMC Project Management Committee Africaine PNV Present net value FFS Farmers Field Schools PRTC Presbyterian Rural Training Center GAMMA Livestock and Environment Program (Ganadería y Manejo del Medio Ambiente, SODEPA Société de Développement et in Spanish) d’Exploitation des Production Animales HPI Heifer Project International TDN Total digestible nutrients HRH His Royal Highness TUSIP Tugi Silvopastoral Project ICRAF World Agro Forestry Center USAID U.S. Agency for International Development IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) EX E C U T I V E S U MMARY X III EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Tugi Silvopastoral Project (TUSIP) is a South-South Cooperation between the Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) based in Costa Rica (www.catie.ac.cr) and the Akwi Memorial Foundation (AMF) based in the North West Region of Cameroon. It is a World Bank–supported initiative (www.worldbank.org/ard) that started in Tugi Village in January 2010, and this report covers the 22 months of operation agreed to between the executing agencies and the donor. The Project’s Approach: The main goal of TUSIP was to assess the environmental bene�ts of a set of silvopastoral practices and to empower traditional livestock farmers in Tugi Village by enhancing their capability to manage available crop-animal systems and natural resources in a sustainable manner. TUSIP made efforts in the rehabilitation of degraded pasturelands to ensure adequate year-round availability of forages to increase animal productivity in a sustainable manner, consequently contributing to improving the livelihoods of rural families who depend on livestock activities in Tugi. The project put emphasis on (1) modifying the traditional crop-livestock systems through the implementation of silvopastoral options, which helped to diversify income sources, and (2) improving soil fertility, while (3) restoring ecosystem services that were affected by the change in land use from forests to degraded pastures. The project applied participatory methodologies to build the capability of the Tugi population to replicate the technological innovations introduced by TUSIP. Methodological Aspects: The project started with characterization of the prevalent socioeconomic, ecological, and biophysi- cal conditions, emphasizing constraints and opportunities, using different methodological tools according to the attributes being analyzed. In addition to reviewing the secondary information available, project staff applied rapid participatory rural appraisal, household surveys, and focus group discussion techniques to de�ne the socioeconomic baseline conditions to understand the rationale behind the predominant crop-livestock system and to learn about the endogenous and exogenous factors affecting their performance. Soil fertility and land-use management analyses, as well as pasture degradation evalua- tion methods, were applied to assess the current status of the pasturelands and de�ne strategies for their rehabilitation. A set of technology innovations initially tested and promoted in Central America was adapted and evaluated under the conditions of the Gutah Hills of Cameroon. The technology innovations that were tested for the rehabilitation of degraded pasturelands were based on restoration ecol- ogy principles but were applied to pasture agro-ecosystems. These innovations included promotion of edible species through oversowing of valuable grasses and legumes, control of competition by nondesirable weeds, and exclusion of grazing animals for a reasonable period of time to promote the dominance of valuable forage species through vegetative growth, flowering, and enrichment of seed banks that eventually emerged. Prevention of accidental �res through �re-tracing measures was also introduced. Once pastures recovered their productivity at least partially, well-designed rotational grazing systems were initiated. Some of these processes required construction of dead fences—a technology innovation not yet used in the Gutah Hills—while at the same time, efforts were made to incorporate trees in multistrata live fences. TUSIP also established grass/legume fodder banks to intensify crop-animal systems through implementation of semi-zero grazing systems for cattle and small ruminants. For that purpose, designs of corrals for cattle and elevated pens for small ruminants were proposed and built by farm operators and women’s groups, respectively. The investment required for all innovations was recorded by TUSIP technical staff, and an ex ante analysis of the impact of pasture management innovations was conducted using the LIFE-SIM model; a cost-bene�t analysis was also conducted, A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) XI V EX EC UTIV E S UM M A RY assuming that real data on animal performance will be collected and made available after animals are introduced in the pad- docks, which was expected to occur in the second half of the 2011 rainy season. Most Relevant Empirical Results Due to Technology Innovations: The project duration was not long enough to measure plant, soil, and animal responses to silvopastoral innovations, although relevant changes in vegetation composition and avail- ability were observed and recorded. Based on the limited results collected in the �eld and on a simulation analysis, it was estimated that for growing animals (with 200 to 400 kg of body weight [BW]), production per hectare would increase up to six times if animals had access to rehabilitated pastures and up to ten times if fodder banks were used to supplement grazing in the rehabilitated pastures during the dry season. The increment in productivity would be a little less if those silvopastoral systems were applied in the �nishing phase of cattle (that is, 400 to 500 kg BW). The age at which animals reach market weight (500 kg BW) would be reduced from 7.2 years, currently obtained with the traditional system, to 4.9 and 4.1 years in rehabilitated pastures without and with the utilization of fodder banks, respectively. These innovations would also result in a signi�cant reduction in methane emissions and total nitrogen excretion over the cattle’s life span. The economic assessment of those interventions showed that rehabilitation of degraded pastures resulted in a negative (–2.95 percent) internal rate of return (IRR) when pastures were grazed by growing animals (200 to 400 kg BW), but the IRR increased to 9.09 percent when pastures were supplemented with the fodder bank. The major cost associated with the use of rehabilitated degraded pastures is the investment in fences. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted assuming that the costs of fences were either partially (50 percent) or fully (100 percent) subsidized. In the case of growing animals not supplemented with cut-and-carry forages, the IRR increased to 5.50 and 30.68 percent, respectively. When subsidies were applied to the investment in fences and using growing animals, the IRR increased to 15.71 and 26.65 percent, if 50 or 100 percent of the investment in fences incurred during the project. Strengthening Capabilities of Local Partners: In parallel with implementation of the technologies described above, TUSIP developed an effective training program, applying the participatory methodologies that are the basis of the Farmers Field School (FFS) approach. Farm operators, youth, and women’s groups participated in those trainings. TUSIP proposed to con- tinue the training on topics identi�ed as relevant but not yet covered. To support the training activities, extension leaflets and bulletins (three of each) were prepared based on the experiences of TUSIP in fence building, bracken fern control, and grass/ legume fodder banks establishment. Project staff (the technical and �eld assistants and the gender specialists) were also trained by CATIE’s technical advisor on different topics, such as silvopastoral technologies and participatory research and training methodologies. The technical assis- tant participated in a three-week one-on-one training course in Costa Rica, during which he participated in individual lectures on the implementation and evaluation of silvopastoral options and was introduced to computer packages for the simulation of feeding strategies, as well as Geographic Information System techniques. This was complemented with farm visits to learn about several silvopastoral options already implemented by farmers in the humid, subhumid, and highland tropics of Costa Rica. Livestock Farmers’ Perceptions of Technology Innovations: An effort was made to understand farmers’ perceptions and expectations of the silvopastoral innovations promoted by TUSIP; however, this was a preliminary activity covering only aspects related to installation of the technologies. All stakeholders recognized the advantages of the proposed innovations in increasing the availability of edible grasses and legumes, reducing the infestation of bracken fern and other problematic weeds, and controlling erosion. However, similar studies need to be done again after the innovations have been applied for at least one year covering both the rainy and dry seasons. Other perceived bene�ts of TUSIP efforts were creation of �eld work opportunities for youth and women and development of new skills that could help them replicate the lessons learned. Budget Execution: The contribution of the World Bank for implementation of TUSIP was USD 195,000, of�cially received by CATIE. According to project planning, 56.4 percent of that was transferred to the AMF in three installments for TUSIP opera- tion in Cameroon. However, 90.6 percent of the amount assigned to CATIE was also spent in Cameroon. Budget execution was 100 percent, with slight underexpenditure in local consultant fees and minor overexpenditures in dissemination and other items. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON EX E C U T I V E S U MMARY XV Final Comments: In the Gutah Hills, deforestation and soil degradation are seriously affecting the productivity of the preva- lent crop-animal systems and the livelihoods of local communities. Water availability is not a limiting factor yet, but its quality is already a problem. The nonsustainable land-use management practices currently applied jeopardize the resilience of these systems under climate change conditions. The silvopastoral innovations promoted by TUSIP included options to rehabilitate degraded lands, increase animal productivity, reduce the time required for animals to reach the market, mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases per kilogram of animal product and per animal life span, increase the potential for carbon sequestration, and, more importantly, contribute to improving the livelihoods of farming communities. The main constraint to implementation of these innovations is capital availability for investment. Subsidies or payments for ecosystem services schemes may be necessary. Also, the application of participatory learning and experimentation ap- proaches, such as FFS, and effective involvement of existing groups in training, production, and transformation processes, are means of contributing to alleviating poverty in rural communities. The nature of the problems faced by farmers requires a holistic approach and integration of stakeholders with different back- grounds and interests (including government and nongovernment organization [NGOs] and local leaders) working together for development. South-South cooperation efforts like TUSIP can help �nd solutions, especially given the similarities among tropical countries in terms of agro-ecological conditions and production systems and the global threat of climate change. The Way Forward: TUSIP raised the awareness of stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, local leaders, farm operators, the entire Tugi population, and leaders of neighboring communities of the objectives and activities developed by the project. Partnerships were promoted with several regional and national institutions, as well as with two Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) centers (the International Livestock Research Institute and the World Agro-forestry Center). This enhanced the interest of partners in scaling TUSIP experiences up and out to other areas of the Gutah Hills, where they could be easily extended. Important issues consolidated into an appendix to this report were raised by peer reviewers, and the issues will have to be addressed, resources and time permitting. As a result of such efforts, a concept note titled “Increasing Productivity and Reducing Vulnerability to the Climate Change as Strategies to Improve the Livelihoods in Poor Agro-Silvopastoral Communities of the Gutah Hills of Cameroon� was prepared, and CATIE, the World Bank, and other partners started contacting potential donors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 1 — I N T R ODUCT ION 1 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 THE GENERAL CONTEXT by the government to adopt a sedentary lifestyle (�gures 1.1 Gutah Hills is a local name for the human settlements located and 1.2). For that purpose, in the 1960s, the Fon of Tugi on the northwestern plateau of the Meta Clan in the Momo allocated some of the hills in his village to the Fulani people Division (North West Region [NWR]) of Cameroon. Three vil- to carry out their livestock activities (Nji 1995). These two lages (Tugi, Ngwokwong, and Chup) make up the geographi- groups have different traditions and beliefs but interact in the cal area called Gutah as de�ned by the Meta Cultural and use of local land and services (for example, education and Development Association (MECUDA). Administratively, each health), as well as in the market. village is ruled by a village head called a chief or fon, and the The Meta people settle in compound villages composed village is made up of quarters, placed under the local adminis- of large and uneven parcels of farmland around and farther trative leadership of a quarter head who reports to the fon. At away from the residential areas. The farmlands around the the lowest rung of the administrative ladder of a village are homestead are small parcels reserved mostly for fruit produc- heads of households or family heads. The family is the basic tion (such as plantain, avocados, and coffee), while farmlands social unit in these villages. away from home are larger and are used to cultivate roots In terms of land ownership and control, in theory, the and tubers (such as yams, cocoyams, cassava, Irish potatoes, Cameroonian government owns all land; however, the fon is and sweet potatoes) as well as grains (such as maize and the owner or landlord of all land inhabited by his people and beans) for home consumption and the market (�gure 1.3). is considered the custodian of all native or communal land. The choice, location, and use of farmland are based on the Transfer of land ownership in the Gutah Hills, as in most of Cameroon, takes several forms including inheritance, pur- chase, gift, and lease. More details on policies applicable to FIGURE 1.1: World Bank Staff on Mission and Group of the rural sector of Cameroon and relevant to TUSIP can be Meta People Who Participated in Project found in the report on the gender component of this project Activities (Ndang et al. 2011). 1.2 HUMAN SETTLEMENT IN THE GUTAH HILLS Native human settlements in the Gutah Hills go back to the 13th century, when explorers and clan heads conquered hitherto unoccupied territory. Gutah villages have several neighbors. Tugi Village, for example, shares its southern boundaries with Tudig and Njah-Etu; to the southwest is the neighboring village of Ngwokwong, while Tinechong is to the northwest. To the north is Oshie, and to the east are the villages of Chup and Guneku (Nji et al. 2009). The population of the Gutah Hills includes the indigenous people of the Meta clan and the Fulanis (Mbororos). The latter used to practice nomadic pastoralism but were encouraged Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 2 C H A PTER 1 — INTR OD UC TION FIGURE 1.2: Group of Fulani Men Visited by TUSIP Staff (December to March). Crop production by Fulani families is very limited, occurring in plots around their homesteads that have been enriched by manure deposited by animals kept at night as a preventive measure against cattle rustling. It can be claimed that both the Meta and Fulani people practice agro- pastoral farming systems, although the relative importance of each component differs between the two ethnic groups. Although men and women participate in all agricultural acti- vities, sex-role typing is prevalent in both ethnic groups. In general, men tend to be responsible for raising cattle and pigs and helping to prepare land, while women are re- sponsible for cultivating crops, raising small ruminants (such as goats and sheep), and taking care of the family (Ndang et al. 2011). In the case of the Fulanis, women milk the cows, while Meta men collect raf�a juice to produce wine. In Source: Authors. order to be inclusive in its approach, TUSIP recognized such diversity and tried to identify speci�c participatory learning and experimentation activities for each gender and ethnic FIGURE 1.3: Meta Woman Working Her Cropland group. 1.3 LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES IN THE GUTAH HILLS Crop-livestock systems are the most prevalent agricultural land-use systems in the Gutah Hills and the main livelihood strategy, especially for Meta families (Ndang et al. 2011; Pezo 2010a), whereas Fulanis earn their living almost ex- clusively from raising cattle, goats, sheep, and horses in a free-ranging farming system in the hills. Several reasons are behind diversi�cation of farming activities as practiced by the Meta people, including the reduction of economic risk and provision of a more diverse diet, particularly from food crops (�gure 1.4) (Ndang et al. 2011). Nontimber forest products Source: Authors. such as kolanuts and raf�a juice are also important contribu- tors to the livelihoods of the Meta people in Tugi. indigenous knowledge system, which enables the Meta to There is room for intensifying interactions to enhance the distinguish farmland suitable for different uses. Each family productivity of both crop and livestock, as well as to cope cultivates several plots under a shifting cultivation scheme ac- with climate change. These interactions include the collec- cording to its appreciation of the soil fertility status. However, tion and return of manure for improving soil fertility in farm- due to recent population increases, more pressure is being lands and use of the weeds and nonmarketable agricultural exerted on the land, and the fallow period is becoming too by-products as animal feed buffers, particularly for those short to booster soil fertility, affecting the productivity of the periods when pasture availability is limited. soil and threatening the livelihoods of the local population. Regardless of ethnicity, livestock production constitutes one The Fulani live in isolated round or circular compounds perched of the main pathways used by poor households in the Gutah on the hills, which serve as residential areas for families and Hills to accumulate capital and assets, and it can be crucial grazing areas for the animals. Nomadic pastoralism or transhu- in maintaining household survival in times of crisis and in mance is still practiced by Fulani livestock farmers, with young changing the household’s social status. The same applies family members moving part of the herd during the dry season to other areas of Sub-Saharan Africa (�gure 1.5). However, INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 — I N T R ODUCT ION 3 FIGURE 1.4: Fulani Herdsman Controlling Grazing FIGURE 1.6: Fulani Girl Helping the Family Graze Cows Animals Source: Authors. Source: Authors. has occurred over the years due to the continuous increase in livestock density on pasture lands amidst the backdrop of cli- FIGURE 1.5: Meta Boys Taking Their Goats for Grazing mate change and variability. This is a consequence of the poor pasture management technologies used, including overgrazing (particularly during the dry season) and the use of �re to control weeds and external parasites in cattle and to eliminate over- matured grasses and residues left after grazing (Njoya et al. 1999; Pamo 2011; Pezo and Azah 2010a). This results in poor soil cover, which in turn makes the land more prone to erosion. The situation has also resulted in negative effects on the eco- system’s capacity to provide environmental services (especially carbon sequestration, clean water provision, and biodiversity), as well as in detrimental impacts on food security and the liveli- hoods of the communities that manage those land resources. Moreover, the decline in soil fertility is becoming more criti- cal because using fertilizers is not a common practice and Source: Authors. grazers are not familiar with the value of legumes and trees for soil improvement through more effective nutrient cycling. the combined threat of food insecurity, undernutrition, poor Livestock production has frequently been cited as harmful to health conditions, and climate change act as additional stress- the environment, and livestock farmers have been accused ors on these rural communities, further limiting their coping of causing deforestation, deserti�cation, and pollution and ability and adversely affecting poverty eradication efforts. of contributing toward global warming through ruminants’ emissions of greenhouse gases. However, recent evidence Pastures are the main land-use system in the NWR of suggests that such accusations are simplistic and mislead- Cameroon, and cattle production is managed using traditional ing, as environmental damage by livestock is more a reflec- technologies in an extensive agro-pastoral system that results tion of the way people manage their animals. In that sense, in soil fertility decline, poor crop-tree-livestock integration, many researchers (Ibrahim et al. 2011) consider the integra- and increased encroachment on fragile and protected areas tion of animals, crops, and trees in agro-silvopastoral sys- (�gure 1.6). More importantly, poor pasture management has tems an essential prerequisite for sustainable land use and resulted in frequent conflicts between herders and farmers diversi�cation of farm produce and a means for improving (Harsbarger and Nji 1991). Moreover, severe land degradation food security and alleviating poverty. In summary, if properly A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 4 C H A PTER 1 — INTR OD UC TION managed to cope with the impacts of climate change by ap- the appearance of the animals, and most animals are bought plying agro-silvopastoral approaches, these systems could by middlemen who take them to larger markets, such as the result in improving rural livelihoods and ecosystem health. one in Bamenda (�gure 1.7). By doing so, the middlemen get the better part of the margin that accrues between when Enhancing livestock productivity in communities will increase the farmer makes the sale and consumption. There is strong the availability of animal protein, improve household nutrition demand for smoked beef in the large cities, such as Douala; especially for children, and increase income. All of these posi- therefore, some people in the village do processing almost tive impacts would in turn result in improved livelihoods for poor once a week, but there is no classi�cation for cuttings and the families. The traditional diet relies mostly on grains, tubers, veg- smoking process is quite rudimentary, resulting in poor product etables, fruits, and limited amounts of animal protein (mostly quality. As with fresh meat, middlemen take the product to the meat and �sh, as well as milk for the children). The low contribu- cities, again keeping most of the pro�t margin for themselves. tion of animal protein to the diet of the rural population is mainly due to limitations in affordability and availability in local markets. The lack of transportation facilities, adequate roads, and Consequently, people do not get enough of the essential amino strong farmers’ organizations leads farmers to sell their crops acids, fatty acids, macro-minerals, and micronutrients that are primarily in the villages’ weekly markets; occasionally, part of required for improved growth and development of robust im- the produce is taken to the regional market in Tad (about 20 mune and cognitive systems and for the overall health of young km from Tugi-Tugi) where better prices can be obtained, but children (de Pee et al. 2010; Santika et al. 2009). farmers have to pay high transportation fees and spend the whole day in the market (�gure 1.8). As the purchase capabil- ity and demand in the village are limited and crops are perish- 1.4 MARKETING FARM PRODUCE able, itinerant intermediaries (both men and women) usually Access to markets is an additional limiting factor in the Gutah buy the crops at very low prices. Lack of proper processing Hills. Although there is a local cattle market in Acha-Tugi (Pezo equipment and facilities for crops further limits the possibility and Azah 2010b), the whole negotiation process is based on of adding value to the crops produced (Ndang et al. 2011). FIGURE 1.7: Inspecting Animals and Then Negotiating FIGURE 1.8: Women Selling Their Crops in the Tugi Prices at a Tugi Local Cattle Market Local Market Source: Authors. Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 2 — O B J ECT IVE S OF T HE T USIP P ROJ E CT 5 Chapter 2: OBJECTIVES OF THE TUSIP PROJECT Based on the prevalent conditions identi�ed in Tugi Village, the 2. Develop farmers’ skills and competencies so that main goal of TUSIP was to assess the environmental bene�ts they are able to assess the environmental costs of of a set of silvopastoral practices and to empower traditional traditional management and the potential and real livestock farmers in the village by enhancing their capability to bene�ts of improved livestock production applying manage their farms and natural resources in a sustainable man- silvopastoral options. ner through participatory training and experimentation. In this 3. Understand farmers’ perceptions and expectations of context, this report describes the efforts of TUSIP to encour- environmental effects and consequences of climate age rehabilitation of degraded pastures and implementation change on their livelihoods. of silvopastoral options to ensure adequate year-round avail- 4. Train farmers on the application of a set of silvopasto- ability of high-quality forages as the basis for improving animal ral technology innovations and encourage their adop- productivity. At the same time, this would help prevent envi- tion within the crop-livestock systems they practice. ronmental degradation due to overgrazing. It was anticipated 5. Encourage integrated management of grazing lands that such TUSIP-induced pasture management changes would in Tugi Village to ensure adequate year-round avail- eventually result in restoring the ecosystem services affected ability of high-quality forages for improving animal by the change in land use from forest to degraded pastures. productivity. 6. Contribute to �nding sustained solutions to the The speci�c objectives of the project are summarized as chronic problem of farmer-grazer conflicts and cattle follows: rustling in the area, as well as to environmental prob- 1. Build the indigenous capacity of livestock farmers in lems due to overgrazing. the community to identify, understand, and exam- 7. Propose a means to scale up the project to other ine the dynamics of the livestock production and communities in the Gutah Hills and other regions environment interactions under the current traditional with similar agro-ecological and production conditions farming systems. within Cameroon. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 3 — M E T HODOL OGICAL AP P ROACH 7 Chapter 3: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TUSIP was executed applying participatory methodologies project applied a women-sensitive mainstreaming model in- as much as possible, such that bene�ciaries were key actors tended to cover the following speci�c activities: in all levels of project implementation. Four livestock family farms and one community farm were selected to test im- 1. Collect, collate, and analyze baseline technical and proved technologies over 22 months, from January 1, 2010, socioeconomic data for all farms wherein the princi- to September 30, 2011. The pilot farms were speci�cally se- pal farm operator was the unit of analysis. lected to represent the ecological pattern of the entire village, 2. Establish improved silvopastoral and agro-forestry taking into account differences in farm resources, landscape technologies in four pilot family farms and one characteristics, and agro-ecological conditions. However, the community farm. These �ve farms were chosen work carried out in those farms was intended to bene�t not on the basis of their geographical and ecological only the owners, but also the whole community, because representativeness, social soundness, and economic those farms were used as laboratories for group participatory feasibility. Of great signi�cance for cultural relevance learning and experimentation purposes. and environmental protection was the inclusion of the community farm, which contains the Gyindong In the pilot farms, principles of restoration ecology for the Forest Reserve of Tugi Village. Each of the pilot fam- rehabilitation of degraded pastures were applied, as were im- ily farms was under the leadership of a family head, proved pasture management and silvopastoral technologies while the community farm was under the leadership that had proven successful in other projects developed by the of the Tugi Fon, the traditional custodian of the vil- Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre lage/community land. (CATIE) and its partners in Latin America. These were the basis 3. Train farmers and livestock keepers on the im- for the intensi�cation and diversi�cation of the crop-livestock proved technologies promoted by the project, and production systems practiced in the pilot farms. In that sense, assess their attitudes, perceptions, and adoption the project was a unique effort of South-South cooperation patterns. in technology transfer between CATIE (a research and train- ing center based in Costa Rica but with a Central American The project was designed to bene�t not only Tugi villag- regional coverage), the Akwi Memorial Foundation (AMF; a ers, but also some farmers of neighboring communities Cameroonian not-for-pro�t organization based in Bamenda, and staff of government institutions, academia, and NGOs NWR of Cameroon), and the population of Tugi Village. (such as the Presbyterian Rural Training Center and Heifer Project International [HPI]–Cameroon) who could learn about The target audience included primarily the farmers of Tugi the technologies and methodological approaches applied by Village who practice mainly crop-livestock systems, and the TUSIP. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 4 — B A S E L INE HOUSE HOL D AND FARM CH A R A C TER IZATION 9 Chapter 4: BASELINE HOUSEHOLD AND FARM CHARACTERIZATION After analyzing secondary information and a Rapid Rural Acha-Tugi, and Njaa-Tugi Quarters). The sample size is small, Appraisal effort including reconnaissance trips, the project but the farms chosen represent the majority of farms owned staff decided to apply two methods for collection of the base- by Meta families in Tugi who have cattle and only a small num- line socioeconomic information on households and crop-live- ber of the ones owned by Fulani families. stock systems practiced in Tugi Village, as well as to identify At the beginning, it was not possible to gather details for their constraints and opportunities: (1) a survey of a sample all variables included in the questionnaire, particularly those of households/farms using a structured questionnaire and (2) related to animal inventory and productivity of the crop and focus group discussions with representatives of a sample of livestock components, as farmers in general do not keep re- quarters. For the survey, ten livestock farmer families were in- cords. Therefore, a few weeks after the initial survey effort, terviewed using a livelihood strategies–oriented questionnaire the project team arranged a second visit to get the missing (�gure 4.1). The survey included the �ve pilot farms (P) chosen information. Questions were formulated in a more informal for implementation of silvopastoral interventions (all owned by manner, as part of a conversation, to help farmers provide Meta families), and �ve livestock farms (three owned by Meta the answers. As the second interview was conducted after and two by Fulani families) considered control farms (C). One the project had initiated some �eld activities, more con�- of each of the P and C farms are located in Tuochup Quarter dence was built between the project staff and community in Chup Village, and the rest are in Tugi Village (Tugi-Tugi, members, particularly the pilot farm operators. The quality of the information gathered improved, but it was still almost FIGURE 4.1: Research Assistant Interviewing impossible to get reliable quantitative data on crop-livestock a Family Head productivity. An analysis of the information gathered in the household survey of pilot and control farms was included in the �rst Interim Consultancy Report (Pezo 2010a). Later, when the TUSIP Gender Mainstream Component was started, more detailed information related to the crop and small animal components, as well as to gender roles, was obtained using a speci�c questionnaire, but this also failed to obtain reliable productivity parameters (Ndang et al. 2011). In the case of the focus group workshops, discussions were held with representatives of three relatively homogeneous groups, two of them with a majority of Meta people, and the third composed of only Fulanis (�gure 4.2). In the case of the workshops held with the Meta-dominated groups (Mbengap and Tuochup Quarters), men and women participated in the discussions, whereas in the one with the Fulanis (who identi- �ed themselves as part of the Nkun-Fonaba group, which is located close to the Acha-Tugi cattle market), the family leader decided that only men should attend the workshop. The main difference between the focus group discussions Source: Authors. and the household survey was that the former concentrated A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 10 C H A PTER 4 — B A S ELINE H OUSEH OLD A ND FA R M CH A R A C TER IZATION FIGURE 4.2: Focus Group Discussion with Quarter affect the prevalent production systems, and natural resource Representatives management. In many cases, emphasis was placed on the current situation and changes that occurred in recent years with group members. Most of the problems and opportunities identi�ed in previous studies, as described in the introduction, were con�rmed. Participants in the focus groups were asked to rank the constraints they felt were most relevant (see table 4.1). The independent responses provided by each participant were classi�ed by gender in the two quarters where both men and women participated in the workshops; relevant dif- ferences can be noted. There were some differences between quarters and gender groups in the ranking of constraints. For all groups, the ac- cess to markets, in part associated with the quality of roads, was more important than the prices obtained; this type of problem was more relevant for the people of Tuochup than Source: Authors. for the other two groups. Diseases were identi�ed as a rele- vant limiting factor by women in Tuochup and Mbengap and more on community-based perceptions while the latter by men only in the case of the Nkun-Fonaba group. This is reflected the perceptions of each family head interviewed. understandable given that in the former two quarters (with a majority of Meta people), they were referring to crop dis- The questionnaire used for the focus group discussion cov- ease, and crop work is mostly conducted by women, where- ered diverse aspects such as population, livelihood strategies, as in the latter, which is dominated by Fulanis whose men land use, water availability, access to markets and credits, tend to the animals, they were referring to animal diseases. food insecurity, perceptions of land degradation and climate Capital for investments was cited by all groups but was not change, technology innovations introduced, sources of infor- one of the main limiting factors given the extensive nature mation, types of organizations in the project community (Tugi of the systems practiced. However, all groups recognized Village and the Tuochup Quarter in Chup Village), knowledge that capital would be a limiting factor for any intensi�cation about national and local rules and regulations and how those effort. TABLE 4.1: Ranking of Constraints Identi�ed by Male (M) and Female (F) Interviewees in Two Quarters of Tugi Village and One Quarter of Chup Village TUOCHUP MBENGAP NKUN-FONABA (CHUP) (TUGI) (TUGI) CONSTRAINTS M F M F M b 1. Prices of products 0.50 0.00 0.45 0.00 0.00 2. Market problems 3.00 3.00 1.55 1.70 1.36 3. Diseases (plants and/or animals) 1.00 4.33 1.55 4.10 3.55 4. Security 0.83 0.33 2.45 1.20 1.09 5. Capital for investment 0.00 1.33 1.09 1.00 1.41 6. Poor roads 3.67 0.00 1.91 1.00 1.45 a 7. Feeding animals — — — — 0.09 a 8. Water — — — — 0.05 a Constraints mentioned only by the Fulanis. b The mean values are based on a scale ranging from 1 to 5, according to the perception of each participant on the relevance of the constraint, 5 being the most limiting. Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 11 Chapter 5: ESTABLISHMENT OF SILVOPASTORAL TECHNOLOGIES 5.1 REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE PILOT FARMS those aspects were discussed with farm operators and other project decision makers. Four livestock family farms (Munoh, Tangyie, Tah, and Baghan) and one community farm (Gyindong) were chosen The areas selected for implementing the interventions, to test improved silvopastoral technologies. In selecting the fenced to prevent animals from grazing, varied from 0.9 to 4.4 farms, the variability in elevation and farm resources, as a hectares (ha) for the grazing-only areas and from 0.4 to 0.5 means of representing the ecological pattern of the entire ha for the cut-and-carry areas. On the Gyindong Community village, was considered; this will eventually facilitate the rep- Farm, an area of 32.0 ha was fenced, but not all of that was lication of experiences elsewhere in Tugi Village, as well as used for establishment of the grazing and fodder bank inter- in other villages in the Gutah Hills. Two of the family farms ventions as there are plans to implement other innovations and the community farm are located in Tugi-Tugi; one family there, including some agro-forestry options (�gure 5.1). farm is located in Acha-Tugi, and another is in Tuochup (table 5.1). The elevation at these farms ranges between 1,540 and 1,985 m above sea level (MASL), a range that covers most of 5.2 SOIL FERTILITY IN PASTURES CHOSEN FOR the grazing areas in Tugi and Chup villages. INTERVENTION During a brief reconnaissance visit, all areas proposed by Project staff decided that before implementing any strategy farm operators and other local stakeholders for implementa- for the rehabilitation of degraded pastures or establishing tion of the technology innovations were found to be adequate improved pasture management and other silvopastoral considering their pasture degradation status; this was con- technologies, it was necessary to learn about the soil fer- �rmed later by a more detailed evaluation. In general terms, tility characteristics and to evaluate the degradation condi- project staff agreed with the areas chosen but proposed a tion of those pasturelands selected by project stakeholders few changes in the speci�c location and size of some of the prior to the arrival of the technical advisor assigned by CATIE areas to be intervened, particularly for fodder banks, where (�gure 5.2). Therefore, in January 2010, soil samples were distance to the corrals, access to water, and the number of collected in all pastures to be intervened, coordinated by a animals to be fed when the technologies would be evaluated World Bank �eld mission, and sent for laboratory analysis at were deemed important, among other criteria. In all cases, the State University of Dschang. TABLE 5.1: Location of Pastures in Pilot Farms Selected for Implementation of Silvopastoral Options CUT-AND-CARRY LOCATION FARM NAME TYPE OF PROPERTY ALTITUDE, MASL GRAZING AREA, ha AREA, ha Acha-Tugi Baghan Family 1,570 1.1 0.4 Tugi-Tugi Munoh Family 1,760 4.4 0.5 Tugi-Tugi Gyindong Community 1,540 32.0 1.0 Tuochup-Chup Tah Family 1,985 0.9 0.5 Tugi-Tugi Tangyie Family 1,765 2.0 0.5 Total 40.4 2.9 Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 12 CH A PTER 5 — ES TA BLISH MENT OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGIES FIGURE 5.1: A Landscape View of the Community the cows early in the morning. This effect was particularly Farm (Gyindong) in Tugi Village evident in the community farm where samples were taken in three different sites—one close to the herdsman’s house where animals are maintained at night and two in open ar- eas with variable cover of pastures and weeds. In that case, the CEC, N, P, and Al ranged between 7.6 and 43.12 meq/L, 0.26 and 1.12 percent, 0.63 and 2.50 ppm, and 0.00 and 2.12 ppm, respectively (table 5.2). Soil analysis results, along with the pasture degradation results presented in section 5.2, were the basis for the de�nition of the silvopastoral interventions implemented, the selection of areas where they were established, and for planning the distribution of paddocks. For example, the de�- ciency of phosphorus in soils usually triggers phosphorus de- �ciency in forages and may explain the reproductive failures detected in cattle in the Tugi area, where mineral supplemen- Source: Authors. tation is seldom practiced. In fact, most livestock farmers declared that they used only common salt as a supplement FIGURE 5.2: Native Cattle Grazing in Degraded Pastures and not continuously. Also, in the absence of mechanisms to collect enough manure to be incorporated into the soil as part of the rehabilitation strategies and to enrich the areas planted with a grass and legume mixture as fodder bank, it was recommended to apply low doses of a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, particularly to help the legumes to compete favor- ably with the grass during the establishment phase. Also, a slight application of nitrogen was proposed to accelerate the establishment of the grass and legume planted in the fodder bank areas. 5.3 PASTURE DEGRADATION ASSESSMENT At the end of the dry season (March 2010), the level of pas- ture degradation was evaluated by applying the methodol- Source: Authors. ogy developed by CATIE (Betancourt et al. 2007) using the parameters shown in table 5.3. Soil analysis showed that the soils were acidic (pH 5.26 to According to the botanical composition estimates made in 5.56), but their aluminum content was not a problem; it was March 2010, as shown in table 5.4 (Pezo and Azah 2010a), not even detected in two of the �ve farms. Phosphorus (P) the percent of edible grasses varied between 16.5 (Baghan was de�cient in all farms (less than 5 ppm), but the relatively farm) and 47.6 percent (Tangyie farm), whereas the aver- high cation exchange capacity (CEC), which in two of the age cover by legumes was only 2.9 percent, varying from farms was more than 20 meq/l, suggests that the potassium 0.5 percent in the farm that had the highest presence of content is probably high, whereas calcium and magnesium edible grasses (Tangyie farm) to 6.9 percent in the one at may not be high given the acid reaction of the soil (table 5.2). the highest elevation (Tah farm). Some of the grass species The average nitrogen (N) content was high in two of the found in the different pastures under evaluation were kikuyu farms (Gyindong and Tah), because some of the samples grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), star grass (could be either were taken in areas with high organic matter content and Cynodon nlemfuensis or C. plectostachyus), Brachiaria ru- good pasture cover, probably due to high accumulation of ziziensis, and Hyparhenia rufa. Among the legumes, there manure as animals tend to be maintained there overnight were native Trifolium spp., Desmodium uncinatum var. Silver to prevent cattle rustling and to allow the Fulanis to milk leaf, other nonidenti�ed Desmodium spp., and also some INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 13 TABLE 5.2: Attributes of Soil Samples Taken in Farms Chosen for Implementation of Silvopastoral Options in the Pilot Community FARM pH H2O pH HCl CEC, MEQ/L N, % P, ppm Al, ppm Baghan 5.40 4.32 7.60 0.26 0.63 0.15 Munoh 5.44 4.23 10.78 0.56 0.69 0.00 Gyindong 5.56 4.39 20.67 0.96 2.50 0.96 Tah 5.28 4.24 43.12 1.12 1.17 2.12 Tangyie 5.26 4.30 13.68 0.47 0.69 0.00 Source: Authors. TABLE 5.3: Scale Used for the Evaluation of the Pasture Degradation Status in Paddocks LEVEL OF DEGRADATION EDIBLE SPECIES, % WEEDS, % BARE SOIL OR ROCKS, % EROSION None >80 <5 None None Slight 50–80 5–15 Small spaces None Moderate 20–50 15–40 Isolated spots None Severe <20 40–60 Isolated spots Sheet erosion Very Severe <20 >60 Uniformly distributed Gullies Source: Betancourt et al. 2007. TABLE 5.4: Botanical Composition (Percent) of the Paddocks Chosen for Intervention in the Five Pilot Farms BROAD-LEAF NARROW-LEAF FARM EDIBLE GRASSES LEGUMES WEEDS WEEDS FERNS BARE SOIL Baghan 16.5 1.2 7.5 12.6 0.0 62.2 Munoh 27.5 3.3 12.7 15.2 2.1 39.3 Gyindong 37.7 2.4 12.8 7.2 6.3 33.6 Tah 26.6 6.9 17.7 3.1 6.9 38.8 Tangyie 47.6 0.5 7.3 3.3 4.1 37.2 Mean 31.2 2.9 11.6 8.3 3.9 42.2 Source: Authors. nonidenti�ed woody legumes. Some Stylosanthes sp. was as “iwheungh,� was not seen by project staff, but the most also found on Tah Farm, but the farm operator declared he common fern seems to be the well-known Pteridium aquili- introduced it some time ago. num, which is poisonous to animals. The presence of blood in urine is said to be characteristic of animals poisoned by Weeds (broad leaf, narrow leaf, and ferns) covered more this fern; some locals af�rmed this while others did not, than 23.8 percent on average, ranging from 14.7 to 30.0 per- but all agreed that animals do not regularly eat this species, cent (table 5.4). Two of the farms presented a higher propor- except accidentally when availability of other edible forages tion of narrow-leaf weeds (Baghan and Munoh farms) than is low. broad-leaf weeds, whereas the opposite occurred on the other three farms. The basal cover of ferns was not high (3.9 Iron grass (Sporobolus indicus) was considered a weed even percent on average) in the �rst evaluation, which was carried though some Cameroonian colleagues consider this spe- out by the end of the dry season, probably because many cies edible because it is palatable during the rainy season, mature plants were affected by �re, and most ferns were when it is in a vegetative stage. It was considered a weed in just emerging (�gure 5.3). However, their cover increased this study because its nutritional quality declines drastically signi�cantly after the rains started, as they have strong rhi- late in the rainy season and even more so in the dry season zomes that are not affected by �re (�gure 5.4) (Pezo and and it is rejected by animals (Padilla and Curbelo 2004). Iron Azah 2010d). The dominant species of ferns, known locally grass was the most frequently found narrow-leaf weed in A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 14 CH A PTER 5 — ES TA BLISH MENT OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGIES FIGURE 5.3: Evaluating Pasture Degradation the paddocks, but spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) was also in the Dry Season common in some pastures. These species appear to be �re tolerant, as regrowth of both was found in pastures that were burnt at the end of the dry season. Also, both are pro- fuse seed producers. All these factors make these species highly invasive. Selective weeding to control these weeds as well as others, the oversowing of palatable and more com- petitive forage species, and improved grazing management strategies such as rotational grazing and the adjustment of stocking rate to forage availability were implemented to re- habilitate degraded pasture lands. The presence of bare soil, stones, and rocks in the pastures varied between 33.6 and 62.2 percent (table 5.5). This is very high for pastures, and the former makes soil more prone to erosion. However, it should be emphasized that the evalu- ation was made at the end of the dry season, when most herbaceous species are senescent, and in some areas, the pastures were burnt. As expected, the vegetation cover in- creased once the rains became more uniform, but soil losses were also high in the early rainy season due to the high rainfall intensity and the location of most pastures on steep, sloping land. Even though measurements of soil erosion were not Source: Authors. made, it was assumed that the loss of nutrients with the early rains was signi�cant, as a high proportion of the surface soil organic matter (litter and standing aerial biomass) was burnt at the end of the dry season. In fact, this management FIGURE 5.4: Evaluating Pasture Degradation practice and overgrazing were identi�ed as the main causes in the Rainy Season of the high weed infestation observed in most pastures in the Gutah Hills (Pezo and Azah 2010d). Based on the vegetation and soil cover data, estimates of potential soil erosion, and the scale proposed by Betancourt et al. (2007), it was estimated that three of the pastures were moderately degraded, one was slightly degraded, and one was severely degraded (table 5.5). However, when the evaluation was made based on the ap- pearance of pasture conditions in different sectors of the same paddock, there was a clear gradient of degradation from slight to severe (table 5.6) depending on the manage- ment imposed in the different sectors, as well as on the slope of the paddock sections. For example, on pastures evaluated at the community farm (Gyindong), the stratum located in the flat and slightly undulating area (Gyindong 2) had a higher proportion of edible grasses (mostly kikuyu and star grasses) and no clear signs of soil erosion. The presence of both spe- cies could be considered an indicator of higher soil fertility levels, which is understandable because animals were kept in the area at night, contributing to a higher accumulation of Source: Authors. manure. The other two strata (Gyindong 1 and 3) had similar INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 15 TABLE 5.5: Level of Pasture Degradation in the Paddocks before Intervention with Silvopastoral Options in Five Pilot Farms in Tugi Village and the Tuochup Quarter BARE SOIL LEVEL OF FARM EDIBLE SPECIES,a % WEEDS, % OR ROCKS, % EROSION DEGRADATION Baghan 17.7 20.1 62.2 Sheet Severe Munoh 30.8 30.0 39.3 Sheet Moderate Gyindong 40.1 26.3 33.6 Sheet Moderate Tah 33.5 27.7 38.8 Sheet Moderate Tangyie 48.1 14.7 37.2 Sheet Slight Mean 34.0 23.8 42.2 Sheet Moderate a The assumption is that all species classi�ed as legumes are edible. Source: Authors. TABLE 5.6: Level of Degradation within the Paddock Before Intervention with Silvopastoral Options at Gyindong Community Farm in Tugi Village EDIBLE BARE SOIL OR LEVEL OF STRATUM SPECIES,a % WEEDS, % ROCKS, % EROSION DEGRADATION Gyindong 1 28.5 32.1 39.4 Sheet Moderate Gyindong 2 69.3 7.4 23.3 None Slight Gyindong 3 18.9 42.1 39.0 Sheet Severe a The assumption is that all species classi�ed as legumes are edible. Source: Authors. topography, but the latter had the highest presence of weeds a potential of 2.0 animal unit (AU) per ha for nondegraded and the lowest presence of edible species. Based on those pastures to 1.7, 1.3, and 1.0 AU per ha in the case of slightly, results, it was suggested that the silvopastoral interventions moderately, and severely degraded pastures, respectively. that involve grazing should be established in strata 1 and 2, After valuing those changes, it was estimated that farmers’ and that stratum 3 should be left for the implementation of income is reduced by USD 169, 343, and 440 per ha per year some agro-forestry options, including fodder banks. when comparing slightly, moderately, and severely degraded pastures versus nondegraded pastures (Betancourt et al. Given the short duration of the project and the slow pasture 2007). rehabilitation process, TUSIP technical staff were not able to get detailed estimates of changes in forage availability and Based on the results obtained in the pasture degradation as- quality or on the performance of the native cattle grazing in sessments and the results obtained in the soil samples taken the degraded and recovered pasturelands. However, after in January 2010, the project staff de�ned the strategies to visiting the Acha-Tugi Cattle Market and talking to farmers, be applied in each farm for the renovation or rehabilitation of traders, and technicians, it was clear that animals usually degraded pastures. In general terms, the strategies included reach market weight at six to seven years and that heifers the following measures—intensive weed control, oversow- have the �rst parturition at four to �ve years. These �gures ing of grasses and legumes, and fencing to initially protect appear to show that the poor animal productivity in the Gutah the land from defoliation by stranded animals, which would Hills is associated with the degraded pastures. However, to also later aid implementation of a rotational grazing scheme. assess the potential economic impact of the rehabilitation of degraded pastures as proposed by TUSIP, data obtained by CATIE in Central America showed that slightly degraded pas- 5.4 REHABILITATION OF DEGRADED PASTURES tures result in a 13-percent reduction in live weight gain per In pastures with less than 40 percent edible species—as animal compared to nondegraded pastures and reductions found in almost all Tugi pastures evaluated—renovation of 24 and 30 percent for moderately and severely degraded strategies, including using chemical herbicides to kill the pastures, respectively. Also, the stocking rate reduces from standing vegetation and ploughing and harrowing for full soil A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 16 CH A PTER 5 — ES TA BLISH MENT OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGIES preparation before planting new seeds, are usually recom- practices, as it is one of the most relevant cost items in the mended (Días-Filho 2007). However, considering the topog- rehabilitation of degraded pastures, although the cost of labor raphy of the grazing areas, the interest in reducing costs in Cameroon is not as high as in other countries in the region. and minimizing soil disturbance, the lack of machinery for land preparation, and the fact that project interventions were It is well known that for the effective control of bracken implemented when the rains were strong, rehabilitation fern, it is better to use an integrated approach of mechani- strategies based on restoration ecology mechanisms were cal weed control followed by application of a herbicide to the selected. It was recognized that this would require spending young shoots with at least one expanded frond (�gure 5.6). more effort reducing the competition exerted by the existing Glyphosate, fluroxypyr, and metsulfuron methyl are recognized nondesirable species and from those emerging from seed as the most effective herbicides for controlling bracken fern. banks already existing in those pastures. Glyphosate was not used because it kills all standing biomass, and some desirable grass and legumes were already present The vegetation analysis based on basal cover carried out in in the paddocks. The other two herbicides have more speci- March 2010 did not document the severity of the presence and �city of action but were not available in the closest market invasiveness of the bracken fern (Pteridium sp.) (�gure 5.5). (Bamenda). Metsulfuron methyl was obtained from a pro- In the sampling done in March 2010, the presence of bracken vider of agricultural inputs in Douala (more than seven hours fern varied between almost 0 percent at Baghan Farm and 12 away from Tugi); it was tested in late October 2010 with percent in the most infested strata at Gyindong Community positive results, at least on a small scale. However, it will be Farm. However, after seeing the infestation in other pasture necessary to compare on a larger scale the bioeconomic fea- areas in the region and based on knowledge of the resilience of sibility of mechanical weeding versus the integrated control the weed, special efforts were made to control it more so than approach combining mechanical and chemical control. for other weeds. The invasive potential of the bracken fern is well known, especially after pastures are burnt and the rains start, due to the very strong and profuse rhizomes this species has and the open spaces left after burning the standing vegeta- FIGURE 5.6: Chemical Control of the Bracken Fern tion. In fact, after the �rst clearing of weeds, the bracken fern became the most dominant weed. However, the bracken fern was allowed to produce new young fronds after the �rst hand weeding, and a second weeding was applied after the new fronds emerged. A third light hand weeding was required in some of the pastures before oversowing the grass and legume seeds. Records were kept on the labor required for all of these FIGURE 5.5: The Bracken Fern, a Very Potent Invasive Weed Source: Authors. Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 17 As a result of weed control practices and exclusion of animals Stylosanthes guianensis plus 2 kg of Desmodium uncinatum) from the paddocks under rehabilitation, important changes and 10 kg of Brachiaria ruziziensis. occurred in their botanical composition. They were also Another option recommended in the case of Brachiaria favored by the rains that fell during the early rainy season. ruziziensis, which presented a very low germination rate The comparison between assessments made in March and (less than 5 percent), was to prepare a sort of nursery us- June 2010 (table 5.7) showed an increase in the percentage ing well-prepared seed beds in which seeds were planted of edible grasses and legumes and a reduction in the area at a very high sowing rate (equivalent to 80 to 100 kg/ha). of bare soil. However, the percentage of broad-leaf weeds, Those seed beds should contain a mixture or either manure especially the bracken fern, also increased. This observation or sand (about one-third) and soil (about two-thirds) to facili- con�rms how important it is to emphasize weed control as tate germination and extraction of plants for transplanting. It part of the whole pasture rehabilitation strategy; without it, was also recommended that seed beds have enough mois- the fern and other weeds may dominate the pastures, pre- ture at all times and to apply a complete formula (high in cluding planted grasses from developing properly. P), at a rate of approximately 25 kg/ha, when the seedlings Different options were recommended for enriching the con- of grasses and legumes reach 5 to 10 cm. This option was tribution of edible forage species in the pastures under reha- initially implemented at Baghan Farm with good success, but bilitation. Oversowing of grasses and legumes and applying fertilizer could not be applied because it was not available in minimum tillage strategies were the �rst options. For that the closest market. purpose, it was suggested that immediately after broadcast- The third option, and probably the most effective, was the ing the seeds of oversown forages, grazing animals should use of vegetative material collected in some of the pad- be introduced at a high instantaneous stocking rate (many docks and transplanted to the paddocks under rehabilitation. animals for a very short period, such as less than two days), Tangyie Farm was the �rst to use this strategy for Brachiaria to defoliate the grasses and legumes grown during the ex- ruziziensis; in others (Tah and Gyindong), a similar technique clusion period that could interfere with the sun needed by was applied for kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum). the younger plants emerging after planting. The decision to Moreover, in the spaces left uncovered after taking the take animals out of the pasture was de�ned by the height grass, seeds of the two herbaceous legumes mentioned of residue, such as 5 to 10 cm in the case of iron grass. It above were sown. was expected that the trampling exerted by grazing animals would also help introduce the broadcasted seeds into the soil The introduction of grazing animals was delayed until the bed, promoting better contact between seeds and soil and end of the rainy season when enough biomass was avail- preventing seeds from being washed out by rain. In those able, and some of the species had already flowered and paddocks where direct oversowing was applied, it was rec- produced seeds, which in turn helped enrich the soil seed ommended that grasses and legumes be planted, preferably banks. This strategy was used at Munoh, Tah, and Tangyie in lines to facilitate weeding. Based on the germination rate Farms, and animals were allowed to graze down the pad- observed in the seeds purchased, the recommended dos- docks when the dry season started to reduce the amount age per hectare was 4 kg of legume seeds (using 2 kg of of dry biomass available (which could function as fuel if �res TABLE 5.7: Changes in Vegetation Cover Due to Management in the Grazing Areas of Two Pilot Farms FARM/DATE OF EDIBLE NARROW-LEAF BROAD-LEAF BRACKEN EVALUATION GRASSES LEGUMES WEEDS WEEDS FERN BARE SOIL BAGHAN FARM March 2010 16.5 1.2 12.6 7.5 0.0 62.2 June 2010 31.3 7.9 15.9 16.4 2.1 26.4 TAH FARM March 2010 26.6 6.9 3.1 17.7 6.9 38.8 June 2010 29.5 17.9 5.6 22.1 13.4 11.5 Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 18 CH A PTER 5 — ES TA BLISH MENT OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGIES accidentally started). The seed banks started to germinate FIGURE 5.8: Constructing a Fence Gate with the early rains of 2011, and coverage of valuable forage species increased signi�cantly in all rehabilitated paddocks. 5.5 FENCING AS THE BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING ROTATIONAL GRAZING Extensive pasture management with no fences is a com- mon practice in the Gutah Hills, resulting in poor animal productivity and low income, degradation of pasture lands and natural resources, and frequent conflicts between graz- ers and farmers due to the destruction of crops by stranded animals. To protect the areas managed under crops, farmers usually build simple fences made of raf�a bamboo and sticks and sometimes plant sisal and other shrubs in between, but those fences tend to be temporary and do not prevent ani- Source: Authors. mals from going into the crop land. Fencing was one of the technology innovations promoted by TABLE 5.8: Costs of Installing 100 m of Permanent TUSIP; details of how they were built are described in a tech- Barbed Wire Fence in Tugi Village, NWR nical bulletin prepared by Pezo and Azah (�gures 5.7 and 5.8) Cameroon (2010c). A summary of the costs per 100 m of dead fence ITEM USD using barbed wire is shown in table 5.8. The costs could be 1 roll of large galvanized wire (200 m long) 80.001 reduced to about USD 200 if four lines of barbed wire instead 4 rolls of small galvanized wire (75 m long) @ FCFA 6,500 each 56.00 of �ve are installed (that is, if sheep are not managed close 41 poles 4 cm x 4 cm x 2 m @ FCFA 450 each 36.90 by). Costs could also be reduced if the farmer produced the Digging and �tting 41 poles @ FCFA 350 each 28.70 posts on his own farm and if the work was done using family Carrying 41 poles @ FCFA 75 each 6.15 labor, but even then, the cost would be about USD 140 to Nails (1 kg) 2.00 160 per 100 m. Labor (2 workers @ FCFA 1,500 for �ve lines) 6.00 Although the main purpose of fencing in TUSIP pilot farms Total 215.75 was implementation of a well-planned rotational grazing 1 1 USD = FCFA 500. Source: Pezo and Azah 2010b. FIGURE 5.7: Tensioning Barbed Wire and Nailing a Dead Fence management, which is absent in traditional livestock systems in the Gutah Hills, the practice has other purposes as well, orient- ed either to improving animal productivity and pasture manage- ment or to preventing farmer-grazer conflicts. Some additional purposes for building fences in pastures are the following: To reserve certain areas for the dry season, either as standing hay for direct grazing or for the preparation of conserved forages (such as hay or silage) To prevent animals from going into those pastures that were recently fertilized or treated with pesticides To prevent animals from grazing in areas reserved temporarily for seed production, either for natural reseeding or harvest of seeds To protect either crops or cut-and-carry forage banks Source: Authors. from damage by straying animals. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 19 The size of the grazing area chosen for implementing the �gure 5.11. Additional fencing might be needed before bring- silvopastoral interventions de�ned the number of paddocks ing the animals to those paddocks because there are some to be installed. In the case of Baghan and Tah Farms, two cattle routes around the bushes that have been taken as the paddocks were established because the areas assigned live fences for the paddocks in the lower side of paddock 8. were only 1.1 and 0.9 ha, respectively; on Tangyie Farm Moreover, as the area to the left side of paddocks 5 to 8 has with 2.0 ha of grazing area, the pasture was divided into four a steep slope, it was divided into two paddocks (9 and 10), paddocks (�gure 5.9). On the Munoh Farm, with 4.4 ha, �ve but trees will be established there, instead of using the area paddocks were established (�gure 5.10). for grazing. On the Gyindong Community Farm, ten paddocks were in- stalled, four of them in front of the herdsman’s house where 5.6 ESTABLISHMENT OF GRASS/LEGUME there was a good cover (approximately 98 percent) of kikuyu FODDER BANKS grass (Pennisetum clandestinum). It was only necessary to The few fodder banks made of Guatemala grass (Tripsacum build the fences there. In contrast, in paddocks 5, 6, 7, and laxum) found in Tugi are mostly to be used during the dry 8, a total area of about 6.5 ha, it was necessary to oversow season, but many of them had not been used for more than 250 kg of Brachiaria seeds because the area was slightly de- one year when the project started. As a consequence, most graded at the start of the 2011 rainy season with a high cover grasses present in the fodder banks were too old and the of Sporobolus indicus and other weeds.1 The distribution of nutritive value was very poor. The technology innovation those paddocks and the corresponding fencing are shown in proposed by the project involved introduction of a woody FIGURE 5.9: Fencing and Paddocks Arrangement at Tangyie Farm Gate 2 Footpath used by Family Coral and Herdsman’s house here Gates Gate 1 Max elevation Perimeter ≥ 485 m Area ≥ 1.9 ha Scale 1:400 Source: Authors: Pezo and Azah 2010b. 1 Identi�ed as Gyindong 2 in Table 5.6. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 20 CH A PTER 5 — ES TA BLISH MENT OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGIES FIGURE 5.10: Internal Division of Paddocks in the Grazing Area at Munoh Farm Forest area 1 Gate Gate 2 3 4 Gates Corridor 5 Fenced perimeter = 420m AERA = 4.4 ha Gate Total perimeter = 540 Source: Authors: Pezo and Azah 2010b. legume with a twofold purpose—to increase the protein con- but the distance between planting positions was 0.75 m for tent of the cut-and-carry forage and to improve soil fertility grass and 0.5 m for the legume. One cutting of Guatemala through nitrogen �xation and transfer and enhancement of grass with three nodes was planted in each position; for the the nutrient cycling process. Also, as the proposed system legume, three to �ve seeds were planted. Finally, it was pro- was semi-zero grazing for at least part of the herd, it was posed that only two plants of Acacia per position should be proposed that the fodder banks play an important role in a used. The small number of Acacia seeds per position was year-round feeding strategy, offering cut-and-carry forage not used because they have a high germination rate (87 percent). only fresh during the dry season, but also harvested during In all cases, Guatemala grass cuttings were prepared the day the rainy season, either to complement grazing or for conser- before planting, and it was accidentally discovered that they vation as silage for the dry season. could be maintained in the shade for more than two days, considering that the weather is mild in Tugi. The legume The fodder banks established at the four family pilot farms in seeds were scari�ed by soaking them in water for 12 to 24 2010 were composed of Guatemala grass and a woody le- hours until the seeds swelled. gume (Acacia angustissima); on Gyindong Community Farm, established at the start of the rainy season of 2011, Acacia As all areas chosen for planting the fodder bank had steep was replaced by Leucaena leucocephala. The proportion of slopes and a very high weed infestation (mostly of bracken lines of Guatemala grass and Acacia could vary, but the fod- fern), up to two hand weedings were needed before plant- der banks established in the four pilot farms have two lines ing. The rows were placed perpendicular to the slope, of grass and one line of the legume. Although some farmers planting the grass and the legume in hedgerows to pre- might prefer to plant a double line of the legume in between vent soil erosion. The labor was performed by the farm the rows of grass, in this case a single line was chosen. The operator, supported by project staff on the Baghan Farm, distance between rows of either of the two forages was 1.5 m, and by women’s groups on the rest of the pilot farms. The INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 21 FIGURE 5.11: Internal Divisions for Paddocks at the Gyindong Community Farm Source: Authors; Pezo and Azah 2010b. planting work done at Munoh Farm was not as uniform as If the technology is going to be applied on other farms or expected because the group assisting was too big (which other areas on the pilot farms, Guatemala grass could be complicated the managing of the planting) and because it replaced by Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) or guinea was the �rst time project staff had worked with women’s grass (Panicum maximum), which are available in the coun- groups. try. These were not tested because the genotypes found in the area did not have better attributes than Guatemala grass, Some of the fodder banks were supposed to be ready for the uniformity of the planting materials could not be assured, use in the 2010–2011 dry season, but the results on all pilot and its collection from the roadsides represented too much farms were not as successful as hoped; many plants had to effort for the project team (time was always a limiting factor). be replaced. Three key factors explain the failures: (1) high The legume component (Acacia angustissima) could also be weed infestation that was not properly controlled, (2) the replaced by other legume woody perennials. TUSIP pur- sloping land chosen by farm operators to establish the fod- chased small amounts of Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena der banks had very poor soil fertility and neither organic nor leucocephala, and Sesbania sesban and received small quan- chemical fertilizers were applied, and (3) when plants were tities of Leucaena spp. and Gliricidia sepium seeds from the producing the �rst leaves, sheep broke into some of the fod- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); any of those der banks and defoliated them severely, resulting in plant could be incorporated in the fodder banks. deaths. In spite of this, many people in Tugi Village started establishing fodder banks in small areas to feed their animals 5.7 INVESTMENT IN REHABILITATING GRAZING based on participatory learning sessions in which project AREAS AND PLANTING THE FODDER BANKS staff shared the lessons learned. At the time this report was being written, project staff were applying a complete fertil- Information on the quantity and costs of labor and materials izer formula (14-24-14) using a ringing method. used in the rehabilitation of degraded pastures, planting of A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 22 CH A PTER 5 — ES TA BLISH MENT OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGIES cut-and-carry forages, and fencing was recorded on all pilot also influenced by the contribution of family labor on some farms. Table 5.9 shows the investment in the �ve pilot farms; farms (not included in the cost estimates). Economies of however, it should be noted the Community Farm’s fodder scale could also be a source of variation considering that bank at Gyindong was established at the start of the 2011 higher costs were observed for the smallest areas planted rainy season, so there may be additional costs for weeding or rehabilitated. in the months that followed that are not captured in the table (�gures 5.12 and 5.13). 5.8 BUILDING MULTISTRATA LIVE FENCES The total investment in fencing and weeding is presented The establishment of multistrata live fences as part of a graz- for each farm (table 5.9). It does not make sense to compare ing management strategy was a new technology introduced the fencing costs per unit area in each farm because the na- by TUSIP, although some live fences around the housing ture of the divisions varied according to the paddock design; compounds and corrals, and in some cases protecting crop- however, it is relevant to compare the estimates of weed- lands, were already established in the village. The existing live ing costs per hectare on the different farms; these varied fences were made mostly of cypress (Cupressus sp.), tree between USD 53 and 200. This variation could be explained marigold (Tithonia diversifolia), sisal (Agave spp.), Erythrina in terms of the level of weed infestation and the aggressive- spp., and other nonidenti�ed local shrubs. Although project ness of the bracken fern after cutting, but the values were staff suggested increasing the use of Tithonia diversifolia in TABLE 5.9: Area and Perimeter Fenced, and Investment in the Five TUSIP Pilot Farms, Considering the Grazing and Fodder Bank Areas Established GRAZING CUT-AND-CARRY INVESTMENT (USD) PERIMETER, PERIMETER, WEEDING FARM AREA, ha m AREA, ha m FENCING USD/ha Baghan 1.1 280 0.4 250 1,145 80 Munoh 4.4 420 0.5 320 1,598 328 Gyindong 32 790 1 400 2,105 650 Tah 0.9 300 0.5 310 1,318 180 Tangyie 2 490 0.5 320 1,750 210 Total 40 2,280 3 1,201 7,916 — Source: Authors. FIGURE 5.13: Planting a Guatemala Grass Plus Acacia FIGURE 5.12: Preparing Guatemala Grass Cuttings Fodder Bank Source: Authors. Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 5 — E S TA BL ISHME NT OF SILVOPAST ORAL TEC H NOLOGIES 23 the live fences due to its value as a fodder source, farmers by grazing animals). However, to enrich those fences, new were not interested because it tends to expand and widen tree germplasm was obtained by establishing collaborative the live fence in a way that signi�cantly reduces the grazing work with the World Agro-forestry Centre (ICRAF). Also, it area, which is especially con�ning for small paddocks. was suggested that Erythrina spp. stakes be gotten from the Presbyterian Rural Training Center (PRTC)–Fonta and TUSIP proposed using several species of different heights Tangyie Farm to enrich the fences with this valuable fodder and shapes (multistrata) and potential uses (multipurpose) tree. Additional nursery work needs to be implemented with for the live fences, but little was done in the period reported. the seeds of Acacia angustissima and Calliandra calothyrsus Some farm operators planted locally available species (such already acquired by TUSIP, as well as with timber and fruit as sisal), and project staff introduced Acacia angustissima in species obtained through ICRAF, before planting those in the the fences of some of the forage banks (but not in the graz- fences. It is foreseen that such enrichment could take place ing areas, as it is an edible species that could be damaged in 2012 if the size of the trees allows for it. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 6 — E VA L UAT ION OF F ORAGE GE RMP L ASM 25 Chapter 6: EVALUATION OF FORAGE GERMPLASM The availability of good-quality forage germplasm was identi- FIGURE 6.1: Evaluation of Forage Seed Germination Rate �ed as one of the limitations for the implementation of more diverse options for the rehabilitation of degraded pasture- lands, the establishment of fodder banks and multistrata live fences, and diversi�cation of the crop-livestock systems in Tugi. Seeds of only one grass species (Brachiaria ruziziensis), of a few woody legumes (Acacia angustissima, Sesbania ses- ban, Leucaena leucocephala, Calliandra calothyrsus, Cajanus cajan, and Tephrosia vogelil) and two herbaceous legumes (Desmodium uncinatum var. Silverleaf and Stylosanthes guianensis) were purchased from a farmers’ group trained by ICRAF and operating in Bambui (NWR). The �rst step was to determine the germination rate using two options, soil and paper towel. The values obtained were extremely low (less than 5 percent) for the grass; intermediate (30 to 47 percent) for Leucaena, Cajanus, and Desmodium; and high (more than 85 percent) for Sesbania, Acacia, and Tephrosia Source: Authors. (�gure 6.1). Furthermore, the germination rate of most of the species declined sharply with time probably because the conditions in the Tugi project of�ce were not appropriate for agreed upon by the project staff and ILRI experts considering seed conservation. the prevalent conditions in Tugi. The species/cultivars includ- ed in the set offered by ILRI are listed in table 6.1; however, Contacts were established with ICRAF and ILRI to get ad- ILRI was asked to send no more than four accessions of ditional germplasm. The former provided some fruit and Gliricidia sepium. There were problems delivering the seeds medicinal species, whereas the latter provided a diversity to TUSIP, and it took almost two months before they arrived of grasses and forage legumes, which were the best bets in Bamenda. Consequently, only three plants of Napier grass TABLE 6.1: Forage Species/Accessions Provided by ILRI for Testing under Tugi Village Conditions GRASSES WOODY LEGUMES HERBACEOUS LEGUMES Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú Gliricidia sepium 14504, 14507 Desmodium intortum 104 (cv. Greenleaf) Brachiaria decumbens 10871 Gliricidia sepium ILG 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 Desmodium uncinatum 6765 (cv. Silverleaf) Panicum maximum 11 Leucaena diversifolia 14193 Stylosanthes guianensis 4 (cv. Cook) Panicum maximum 6946 Leucaena leucocephala 14198 Stylosanthes guianensis 73 (cv. Graham) Pennisetum clandestinum 6574 Leucaena leucocephala 70 (cv. Stylosanthes guianensis 164 (var. Pucallpa) Cunningham) Pennisetum purpureum 16786 Leucaena pallida 14203 Trifolium repens 6896 Pennisetum purpureum 16835 Arachis pintoi (cv. Amarillo) Pennisetum purpureum 14984 Source: Authors; Pezo and Azah 2010b. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 26 C H A PTER 6 — EVA LUATION OF FORA GE GER M PLA S M (Pennisetum purpureum) Accession 16835 survived, as the FIGURE 6.2: Planting Fodder Tree Seeds in the Nursery rest of the stem cuttings were dry when they arrived. All seeds arrived late in the rainy season, so planting was postponed until the next rainy season. The exception was for the woody legumes, which were planted in bags, watered regularly, and kept in the nursery. Also, part of the Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo lot was planted in a seed bed (�gure 6.2). None of the Gliricidia sepium seeds germinated, even though they were planted twice, with and without scari�cation treatment; germination was high in the case of the different genotypes of Leucaena spp. (table 6.2). The collection was enriched with some additional grasses and legumes carried by the �eld research assistant after he completed his training in Costa Rica. The plan was to test all grasses and legumes in the �eld under Source: Authors. two contrasting conditions, at Gyindong Community Farm (approximately 1,500 MASL) and Tah Farm (approximately by CIAT for the International Network for the Evaluation of 2,000 MASL). The design and methods for evaluation were Tropical Pastures (RIEPT) (Toledo and Schultze-Kraft 1982). elaborated during the training of the �eld research assistant The full set of seeds was planted in the Community Farm at in Costa Rica, taking as a basis the methodologies proposed the beginning of the 2011 rainy season. TABLE 6.2: Germination Rate for Seeds of Woody Legumes Received from ILRI and Planted at the Nursery in Tugi Village SPECIES/ACCESSIONS SEEDS PLANTED SEEDS GERMINATED GERMINATION RATE, % Leucaena pallida 14203 48 48 100 L. diversifolia 48 40 84 L. leucocephala* 48 48 100 L. leucocephala 70 48 38 80 Gliricidia sepium 14503 48 0 0 G. sepium 14507 48 0 0 G. sepium 14504 48 0 0 Source: Authors; Pezo and Azah 2010b. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 7 — P R O PAGAT ION AND IMP ROVE ME NT OF NONFOD D ER TREES 27 Chapter 7: PROPAGATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF NONFODDER TREES Diversi�cation of the tree component with fruit and medicinal Among the non fodder trees ICRAF brought for propagation trees was another strategy promoted by TUSIP. For this, links were kola nuts (Kola niticia or K. vera, Schum), njansang were established with staff of the ICRAF based in Bamenda. (Ricinodendron spp.), and African plum or pygeum (Prunus Under ICRAF guidance, project staff built a simple tree nurs- africana). Kola nut is a native species whose fruits are tradi- ery facility in Tugi-Tugi. The structure measured 10 × 6 m and tionally consumed by the village population. Kola nut is rich was oriented in a west-to-east direction. Inside, polyethyl- in caffeine and serves as a valuable nerve and heart tonic. ene bags with some of the fruit, medicinal, and spice tree Njansang is a very popular spice in Cameroonian cuisine, and species were placed, as well as a few of the fodder trees the kernels are known to help reduce cholesterol. The African received from ILRI (�gure 7.1). Also, ICRAF guided installation plum’s bark is used to treat bladder and prostatic hyperplasia; of a propagator for multiplying some of the medicinal plants it is in danger of extinction due to overuse. All three adapt (�gure 7.2). Outside the covered area, some seed beds were very well to the conditions of Tugi and have the potential to installed for local kola nut (Kola niticia) and avocado (Persea be incorporated into the agro-forestry options promoted by americana) seeds and forage groundnuts (Arachis pintoi). TUSIP as a means of diversifying income. FIGURE 7.1: General View of the Tree Nursery FIGURE 7.2: Multiplying Fruit Trees in Polyethylene Bags Source: Authors. Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 8 — O T HE R INT E RVE NT IONS RE L AT E D T O TH E US E OF FOD D ER BA NKS 29 Chapter 8: OTHER INTERVENTIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF FODDER BANKS 8.1 DESIGN OF SEMI-ZERO GRAZING SYSTEMS labor was provided by the Tugi community. In all cases, Intensi�cation of livestock systems in Tugi, especially given TUSIP staff identi�ed the location of the corrals and provided the ef�cient use of the fodder banks and conserved forages, the designs for the pens, feeders, and watering facilities. To was planned to be implemented through the establishment date, the corrals and herdsman’s house at Munoh Farm have of a semi-zero grazing system in which animals graze during been completed, as has the herdsman’s house at the com- the day and receive cut-and-carry forages and other supple- munity farm. Thus, the Munoh Farm is currently functioning ments in pens during the late afternoon and night (�gure 8.1). as a quarantine facility for the animals purchased with TUSIP This practice is in principle was oriented to improve animal funds. productivity through the increase in provision of forages be- Estimates made by project staff suggested that the 0.5 ha sides the ones consumed during the grazing period, mineral of fodder bank already established on the family pilot farms supplementation, and the use of multinutrient blocks during would be enough to feed eight to ten fattening animals, the dry season; reduction in physical activity; and protection which receive 15 kg of fresh forage per day; however, adjust- from low temperatures at night, which negatively affects ments will be made by monitoring forage yield in the fodder the use of energy for production purposes (�gure 8.2). An bank. As problems were faced in the initial growth of the fod- important additional bene�t is that animals are kept close to der banks, there was no information on the yield and quality the herdsman’s house at night to prevent animal theft, which of the forage produced in those areas to predict animal re- is a common problem in the Gutah Hills. sponses or the economic feasibility of the semi-zero grazing To implement these practices on the pilot farms, the par- systems. Nevertheless, the research assistant was trained ticipating farm operators started building corrals and a herds- to use the LIFE-SIM simulation model (León-Velarde et al. man’s house at their own expense. At the community farm, 2006) once data are available. Based on previous experience the construction was done with project funds although the elsewhere, it was recommended that the semi-zero grazing FIGURE 8.1: Water Facilities in Semi-Zero Grazing FIGURE 8.2: Harvesting the Fodder Bank for Feeding Systems Cattle Source: Authors. Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 30 CHAPTER 8 — OTH ER INTERVENTIONS RELATED TO TH E US E OF FOD D ER B A NK S system start with very few animals, preferably fattening ani- mostly at ground level. The manure is collected to apply on mals (starting at 200 kg BW), because this type of intensi�ca- crops grown in the backyard. tion will rarely be paid for by the cow-calf system or even by An alternative is to keep small animals in elevated pens lo- growing animals (from weaning up to 200 kg BW). cated in the family compound in a semi-zero grazing system. The animals would receive cut-and-carry forages obtained To sustain forage yields, the manure collected in the corrals not only from fodder banks, but also from edible “weeds� has to be returned to the pastures. If a biogas system is collected and carried from the farmland at the end of the eventually installed to use the manure produced in the corral, day. As crops are managed mostly by women, who also play then the effluent should be used in the pasture as biofertil- an important role in managing small ruminants (Ndang et al. izer. Collecting the manure in the corral and transporting it 2011), this activity was part of the Gender-Mainstreaming to the farmland for fertilizing crops was not recommended Component of TUSIP but was also considered an opportunity because it would put the sustainability of the fodder bank to integrate all family members. at risk. Elevated pens are not new in Tugi Village, but the design currently used to hold pigs was modi�ed to adjust to the 8.2 RAISING SHEEP AND GOATS IN ELEVATED needs of the women’s groups working with small ruminants PENS (�gure 8.4). Most of the materials used were locally available, Small ruminants are raised by some Meta families in Tugi, although for the �rst units built, zinc was used for the roof. most of which have only two to �ve animals managed under Among the modi�cations promoted by TUSIP were construc- a rotational grazing/browsing system whereby animals are tion of external feeders and a ramp and a barbed wire fence to tied with a rope in areas close to the family compound or delimit a small exercise area. CATIE’S technical advisor shared the farmland; however, those sheep and goats often chew with project staff and farmers some designs of pens used for through the ropes and escape, damaging neighbors’ crop- small ruminants in Central America and Southeast Asia, but land (�gure 8.3). At night, most families bring the animals to the �nal decision on the pens’ construction was made by staff the family compound and keep them in a rudimentary corral in charge of the TUSIP Gender-Mainstreaming Component. FIGURE 8.3: Goats Traditionally Managed with a Rope FIGURE 8.4: Elevated Pens for Raising Sheep and Goats Source: Authors. Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 9 — E X ANT E E VAL UAT ION OF SILVOPASTOR A L TECH NOLOGY INNOVATIONS 31 Chapter 9: EX ANTE EVALUATION OF SILVOPASTORAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS TUSIP rehabilitated degraded pastures and established fod- prevalent conditions in Tugi, low temperatures coincide with der banks as described in previous sections. However, the the dry season (November to February), so both limiting fac- duration of the project (22 months) was too short to get ex tors occur simultaneously. Table 9.1 shows the data used for post estimates of animal responses, which are necessary to simulations of three scenarios: (1) the current situation of de- run economic analyses on the feasibility of the technology graded pastures managed with a herdsman; (2) pastures that innovations. Based on the above, project staff used some have been rehabilitated applying strategies such as weed timely �eld data on the growth in the degraded pastures control, resting, fencing, replanting of edible grasses and (Control) and rehabilitated pastures, collected while the proj- legumes, and rotational grazing with controlled stocking rate; ect operated. Several assumptions based on the literature and (3) the same as (2), but in a semi-zero grazing system and experience were made to run simulations with the LIFE- using a mixture of Guatemala grass and Acacia angustissima SIM model (León-Velarde et al. 2006), which gives estimates as supplementary fodder during the dry season (November of the live weight gain, methane emissions, and excretion of to February) and the �rst stages of the rainy season (March) manure and total nitrogen under different feeding strategy to prevent overgrazing during that period. The monthly varia- scenarios. tion in the amount of available pastures in the paddocks, as well as the energy (TDN) and protein content, are presented It is well known that in the subhumid tropics, pasture growth in table 9.1. The amount and quality (energy and protein con- responds to rainfall distribution; in the highlands, growth tents) of the fodder offered during the most critical months could also be affected by low temperatures. Under the of the year in the semi-zero grazing system are also included. TABLE 9.1: Monthly Variation in Rainfall, Forage Availability and Quality, and the Amount and Quality of Fodder Offered for Three Feeding Strategies Based in Pastures in Tugi Village RAINFALL DEGRADED PASTURES REHABILITATED PASTURES CUT-AND-CARRY FODDER PASTURE PASTURE AMOUNT AVAILABILITY, AVAILABILITY, OFFERED, kg MONTH kg DM/ha TDN,% CP, % kg DM/ha TDN,% CP, % FRESH/DAY TDN,% CP, % January 25 700 47 6.5 1700 48 7.5 20 58 10 February 50 600 45 6.0 1500 46 7.0 20 55 9 March 160 900 53 8.0 2500 60 12.3 15 58 10 April 205 1100 60 11.0 3000 65 14.0 0 — — May 225 1200 58 10.7 3600 63 13.7 0 — — June 325 1400 55 10.5 4000 61 13.5 0 — — July 410 1200 55 9.8 3500 61 13.5 0 — — August 380 1200 53 9.0 3500 59 12.5 0 — — September 500 1100 52 8.8 3200 57 12.0 0 — — October 290 1000 50 8.0 2800 55 10.5 0 — — November 95 900 49 7.1 2500 52 8.0 15 63 12 December 25 800 48 6.7 2000 51 7.5 15 60 10 Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 32 CHAP T E R 9 — EX A NTE EVA LUATION OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGY INN OVATIONS 9.1 BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO THE birth and 400 kg, between 200 and 400 kg, and between 400 PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS and 500 kg BW (the �nishing phase), respectively. The cor- Rehabilitation of degraded pastures results in an increase in responding values for the most intensive system (semi-zero pasture availability, which in turn allows for a higher carrying grazing) versus the control of degraded pastures were 2.03, capacity. This is improved even more when semi-zero graz- 2.68, and 1.46, respectively. ing is applied because cut-and-carry forage partially replaces Even greater advantages were obtained in terms of beef pro- the pasture consumed under grazing. Based on those rea- ductivity (kg/LWG/year) as rehabilitation of degraded pastures sons, the stocking rate increased from 0.5 AU/ha, which is and use of supplementary fodder as part of the diet resulted the common parameter in the degraded pastures that domi- in signi�cant increases in the stocking rate. Beef productiv- nate the landscape in the Gutah Hills, to 1.75 AU/ha in the ity for animals between 200 and 400 kg BW increased 5.43 rehabilitated pastures, and up to 2.0 AU/ha when fodder is times due to rehabilitation of degraded pastures and 10.71 provided in a corral during the night (table 9.2).2 times when supplementary fodder was included in the ration For all feeding strategies, the model was run assuming an as part of the semi-zero grazing system (table 9.2). initial BW of 200 kg, but it takes different periods of time to reach this weight when degraded or more productive reha- Estimates of methane emissions and manure and nitrogen bilitated pastures are used (3.5 and 2.0 years, respectively). excretion were also obtained from the LIFE-SIM model. The same value was used for semi-zero grazing, assuming Expressed on a per animal-year basis, the production of that cut-and-carry forages would be offered only to animals methane, manure, and N, which all have potential negative weighing more than 200 kg. Rehabilitation of degraded effects on the environment, were greater for the more inten- pastures and the use of rehabilitated pastures as part of a sive systems because the higher intake obtained in those semi-zero grazing system resulted in a 31.2 percent and 42.4 systems dominated the bene�cial effects of the improved percent shortening of the time needed to reach 400 kg BW, quality of the diets; however, when those estimates referred respectively. If animals were fed under the same systems to the productive life of the animals (up to 400 or 500 kg BW), for the �nishing phase (400 to 500 kg BW), farmers could the total emission of methane and the excretion of manure save 32.0 percent and 43.1 percent of the total time, respec- and N were greater in the traditional system than in reha- tively, or 2.3 and 3.1 years (table 9.2). The LWG per animal bilitated pastures (table 9.3). This information is relevant for was signi�cantly higher for rehabilitated pastures compared the project because TUSIP promoted more productive and to the control (degraded pastures), at 1.27, 1.55, and 1.13 eco-friendly systems. These effects would be recognized if a times higher if comparisons were made for animals between scheme of payment for ecosystem services was put in place. TABLE 9.2: Expected Live Weight Gain (LWG) per Animal (kg/day) and Beef Productivity (kg/ha/day) for Animals Raised up to 400 and 500 kg under Three Feeding Strategies Based on Pastures in Tugi Village PASTURE/FEEDING STRATEGY REHABILITATED PLUS PARAMETER DEGRADED REHABILITATED CUT-AND-CARRY Stocking rate, animals/ha 0.50 1.75 2.00 Time required to reach 400 kg BW, years 6.3 4.3 3.6 Average LWG from birth to 400 kg, kg/day 0.167 0.212 0.338 Beef production per hectare from birth to 400 kg, kg/ha/year 30.4 135.3 246.6 Average LWG from 200 to 400 kg, kg/day 0.185 0.287 0.495 Beef production per hectare from 200 to 400 kg, kg/ha/year 33.7 183.1 361.1 Time required to reach 500 kg BW, years 7.2 4.9 4.1 Average LWG in the �nishing phase (400–500 kg), kg/day 0.370 0.417 0.539 Beef production per hectare in the �nishing phase (400–500 67.5 266.4 393.5 kg), kg/ha/yr Source: Authors. 2 Animal Unit (AU) = A bovine weighing at least 400 kg. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 9 — E X ANT E E VAL UAT ION OF SILVOPASTOR A L TECH NOLOGY INNOVATIONS 33 TABLE 9.3: Estimated Methane Emissions, Manure Production, and Total Nitrogen Excretion for Animals Raised up to 400 and 500 kg under Three Feeding Strategies on Pastures in Tugi Village PASTURE/FEEDING STRATEGY REHABILITATED PLUS PARAMETER DEGRADED REHABILITATED CUT-AND-CARRY ANIMALS BETWEEN 200 AND 400 KG BW Methane emission, kg/animal/period 118.1 105.3 90.4 Manure excretion, kg/animal/period 2201 1839 1368 Total N excreted, kg/animal/period 67.5 60.4 48.0 ANIMALS BETWEEN 200 AND 500 KG BW Methane emission, kg/animal/period 171.2 133.2 135.5 Manure excretion, kg/animal/period 3106 2373 2030 Total N excreted, kg/animal/period 94.5 86.5 70.6 Source: Authors. 9.2 ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF THE PROPOSED third year, remained at that level until the sixth year, INTERVENTIONS and started to decline the seventh year, being 70 percent at the end of the twelfth year. It is likely that The economic feasibility of rehabilitation of degraded pas- the productivity decline for the rehabilitated pastures tures with or without the use of fodder banks was assessed will be less than the �gures used, considering that le- for two categories of animals: from 200 to 400 kg (the devel- gumes are in the pastures and more rational pasture opment phase) and from 400 to 500 kg (the �nishing/fatten- management strategies would be applied. ing phase). The biological information used for the analysis 5. In all cases, it was assumed that a full vaccination was generated by the LIFE-SIM simulation model (table 9.2), and deworming plus mineral supplementation pack- whereas most of the costs and prices were registered by age was applied in all three cases, although that is the TUSIP team. Some assumptions used for the economic/ not the case in the traditional system. �nancial analysis were as follows: 6. Molasses supplementation (0.5 kg per animal per day) was provided during the four most criti- 1. The period of analysis is 12 years. cal months in terms of forage availability, and this 2. In scenarios where the pasture rehabilitation compo- amount was the same for animals weighing from 200 nent was involved, it was assumed that the process to 500 kg. required one year of animal exclusion from the pas- 7. All scenarios involving rehabilitated pastures required tures, so no production and income were generated fencing, and as all analyses were done on a per- in the �rst year. The same establishment period was hectare basis, it was assumed that the paddocks had applied in the case of fodder banks. a square shape, with a 400-m perimeter (100 m per 3. Maintenance of pastures consisted only of limited side). labor for weed control, and no fertilizers were applied 8. In scenarios involving the use of fodder banks, a in the degraded pastures; a small amount of fertilizer forage chopper and a corral were considered neces- was applied in the rehabilitated pastures and fodder sary, but assuming that up to 20 animals could be banks. maintained, those investments were divided by the 4. Animal productivity declined more or less constantly number of animals maintained per hectare; according each year in the degraded pastures; at the end of the to the model used, this was 2.0 AU/ha. twelfth year, only 80 percent of the yields obtained 9. For all scenarios, the annual discount rate was 8 the �rst year was present. In rehabilitated pastures, percent; however, given that the model used has one year after rehabilitation strategies were applied, the option to run sensitivity analysis, estimates of productivity was 75 percent of the maximum, 90 per- PNV were obtained using rates ranging from 7 to 19 cent the following year, reached the maximum in the percent. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 34 CHAP T E R 9 — EX A NTE EVA LUATION OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGY INN OVATIONS TABLE 9.4: Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Native Cattle in Tugi Village 50% FENCING COSTS 100% FENCING COSTS NO SUBSIDIES SUBSIDIZED SUBSIDIZED SCENARIOS NPV, USD IRR, % NPV, USD IRR, % NPV, USD IRR, % Animals between 200 and 400 kg Degraded versus rehabilitated (–488.99) (–2.95) (–77.46) 5.50 334.06 30.68 pastures Degraded versus rehabilitated 92.77 9.09 524.87 15.71 936.39 26.65 pastures plus fodder bank Animals between 400 and 500 kg Degraded versus rehabilitated (–101.15) 6.13 310.38 16.13 721.90 40.13 pastures Degraded versus rehabilitated 32.70 8.38 464.8 14.62 876.32 24.63 pastures plus fodder bank Source: Authors. The results shown in table 9.4 indicate that under these Figure 9.1 shows the change in net income for four sce- assumptions, rehabilitation of degraded pastures resulted narios: (1) Animals graze rehabilitated pastures and weigh in a negative present net value (PNV), regardless of the between 200 and 400 kg; (2) the same as (1) but animals production phase (growing or �nishing); PNV became posi- receive chopped forages as supplements; (3) the same as tive only when animals were between 400 and 500 kg BW (1) but animals weigh from 400 to 500 kg; and (4) the same and 50 percent of the fencing costs were subsidized. In as (2), but animals weigh 400 to 500 kg. Figures 9.2 and 9.3 contrast, supplementation with fodder during the four most show the variations in net income for the same scenarios critical months of the year always resulted in positive PNV, described in �gure 9.1, assuming that 50 and 100 percent of although the best response in this case was observed for the fencing costs are subsidized, respectively. growing animals (200 to 400 kg BW). The IRR was nega- In the case of degraded pastures, net income was negative tive (–2.95 percent) only when pastures were rehabilitated but very close to zero, varying from USD –2.69 in Year 0 to and used by growing animals (200 to 400 kg BW), while –12.08 in Year 12 for animals in the growing phase (200 to the use of fodder banks always resulted in positive IRR 400 kg BW). For animals in the �nishing phase (400 to 500 kg values. In the absence of subsidies, the highest IRR value BW), net income was still low but positive (from USD 97.54 (16.13 percent) was obtained when rehabilitated pas- in Year 0 to 78.03 in Year 12). When pasture rehabilitation tures were used by animals in the �nishing phase (400 to strategies were applied, the net income for animals weighing 500 kg BW). between 200 and 400 kg was largely negative in Year 0, as all costs associated with rehabilitation were charged to that The IRR values obtained for the technology innovations pro- year; net income was slightly positive in Year 1 (USD 39.17), moted by TUSIP were lower than previous results obtained reached the maximum in Years 3 to 6 (USD 164.15), and de- for different silvopastoral interventions applied by CATIE and clined to USD 161.37 in Year 12. A similar trend is observed the Livestock and Environment Program (GAMMA) in Central for heavier animals (400 to 500 kg BW): net income declined America (Hänsel 2008). This is attributed to the investment from USD 44.46 in Year 0 to USD 25.63 in Year 12 when in fencing; given that this practice is not commonly used degraded pastures were grazed and increased to a maximum in the NWR cattle systems, there was a heavy impact on of USD 261.38 in Years 3 to 6 when forages harvested in a rehabilitation costs. In contrast, in Central America, most of fodder bank were fed to the animals. the investments for rehabilitation of degraded pastures are in seeds, weed control, and associated labor. When it was The results obtained for scenarios assuming that 50 and 100 assumed that 100 percent of the investment in fences was percent of the fencing costs were subsidized yielded the same subsidized, similar IRR values (more than 25 percent) to the results in net income for Years 1 to 12 as described above, but ones obtained in Central America by Hänsel (2008) were ob- there was a signi�cant reduction in the negative income of tained, con�rming this hypothesis. Year 0, as that was when all fencing costs were charged. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 9 — E X ANT E E VAL UAT ION OF SILVOPASTOR A L TECH NOLOGY INNOVATIONS 35 FIGURE 9.1: Changes in Net Income (USD) Due to Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Growing (200–400 kg BW) and Finishing (400–500 kg BW) Animals, under the Conditions of Tugi Village Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures (200-400kg) Degraded vs. Rehab Pastures +Fodder Bank (200-400kg) 300.00 200.00 Net Income (US$/ha) Net Income (US$/ha) −100.00 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −400.00 −300.00 −700.00 −600.00 −1000.00 −900.00 −1300.00 −1200.00 −1600.00 −1900.00 Year Year Degraded Degraded Rehabilitated Rehab+FB Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures (400-500kg) Degraded vs. Rehab Pastures + Fodder 400.00 Bank (400-500kg) 200.00 400.00 Net Income (US$/ha) Net Income (US$/ha) 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 100.00 −200.00 −200.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −400.00 −500.00 −600.00 −800.00 −800.00 −1100.00 −1000.00 −1400.00 −1200.00 −1700.00 −1400.00 −2000.00 Year Year Degraded Degraded Rehabilitated Rehab+FB Source: Authors. FIGURE 9.2: Changes in Net Income (USD) Due to Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Growing (200–400 kg BW) and Finishing (400–500 kg BW) Animals, Assuming 50 Percent of Fencing Costs Are Subsidized Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 50% Subsidy for Fences Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 50% Subsidy for Fences (200-400kg) + Fodder Bank (200-400kg) 400.00 400.00 Net Income (US$/ha) Net Income (US$/ha) 100.00 −200.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −200.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −500.00 −500.00 −800.00 −1100.00 −800.00 −1400.00 Year Year Degraded Degraded Rehabilitated Rehab+FB Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 50% Subsidy for Fences Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 50% Subsidy for Fences (400-500kg) + Fodder Bank (400-500kg) 400.00 400.00 Net Income (US$/ha) Net Income (US$/ha) 200.00 100.00 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −200.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −200.00 −500.00 −400.00 −800.00 −600.00 −1100.00 −800.00 −1400.00 Year Year Degraded Degraded Rehabilitated Rehab+FB Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 36 CHAP T E R 9 — EX A NTE EVA LUATION OF S ILV OPA STORA L TECH NOLOGY INN OVATIONS FIGURE 9.3: Changes in Net Income (USD) Due to Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Use of Fodder Banks with Growing (200–400 kg BW) and Finishing (400–500 kg BW) Animals, Assuming 100 Percent of Fencing Costs Are Subsidized Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 100% Subsidy Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 100% Subsidy for Fences (200-400kg) for Fences + Fodder Bank (200-400kg) 300.00 Net Income (US$/ha) Net Income (US$/ha) 150.00 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −300.00 −150.00 −600.00 −300.00 −900.00 Year Year Degraded Degraded Rehab+FB Rehab+FB Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + Degraded vs. Rehabilitated Pastures + 50% Subsidy for 100% Subsidy for Fences (400-500kg) Fences + Fodder Bank (400-500kg) 300.00 Net Income (US$/ha) Net Income (US$/ha) 200.00 200.00 100.00 −100.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 −400.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 −100.00 −700.00 −200.00 −300.00 −1000.00 Year Year Degraded Degraded Rehabilitated Rehab+FB Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 0 — I N VE ST ME NT IN FARMS 37 Chapter 10: INVESTMENT IN FARMS Some of the technologies described in previous sections of Although the animals purchased for TUSIP were bought from this report required some investment (such as construction reliable sources (such as Institute de Recherche Agricole of fences on rehabilitated areas and fodder banks, construc- pour le Développement (IRAD)-Bambui, PRTC-Nfonta, and a tion of the tree nursery, planting materials for rehabilitation government farm [SODEPA–Jakiri/Dumbo]), as a precaution- of degraded pastures, and so forth). Project staff and farmer ary measure, all animals were �rst quarantined on a farm. partners agreed that the materials and a large proportion of The Community Farm at Gyindong was the preferred choice, the labor costs required to implement any technology innova- but given the urgency to bring the animals before the project tion to be tested or used for demonstration purposes would �nished, the facilities available, and the slow progress up- be covered by project funds. grading current installations on the other pilot farms, Munoh Farm was selected as the quarantine station. Project staff col- All investments in the Gyindong Community Farm were fully laborated to redesign the corrals already available there and covered with project funds, not only those related to tech- de�ned the provision of water, but all costs associated with nologies promoted by TUSIP, but also the improvement of this construction were borne by the farm’s owners (�gures facilities on the farm, as the farm belongs to the community 10.5 to 10.8). Changes made in the corral at Munoh Farm and is an area where all farmers can learn. Thus, construction included construction of feeders and a water trough with a of a herdsman’s house (two buildings) with storage facilities, roof and a contention crutch and placement of stone pave- corrals, and water provision; the fabrication of a forage chop- ment in the corral to prevent excess mud from accumulating per; and the purchase of animals were all covered by the during the rainy season (�gure 10.9). The farm owners also project (�gures 10.1 to 10.4). In the case of the latter, some built a herdsman’s house close to the corrals (�gure 10.10). animals will be used for genetic improvement of the cattle maintained on the pilot farms and eventually of other herds The CATIE technical advisor prepared some recommenda- in Tugi Village. tions related to the quarantine scheme and selection of FIGURE 10.1: Main House for the Herdsman and His FIGURE 10.2: Side View of Herdsman’s House Family at Community Farm in Gyindong Source: Authors. Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 38 C H A PTER 10 — INV ES TMENT IN FA R M S FIGURE 10.3: Building to Complement the Herdsman’s FIGURE 10.6: Feeders and Drinking Trough at Munoh House, Including Storage Rooms Farm Source: Authors. Source: Authors. FIGURE 10.7: Stone Pavement Corral Floor at Munoh Farm FIGURE 10.4: Another View of Secondary Building Source: Authors. Source: Authors. FIGURE 10.5: Corral Gate at Munoh Farm FIGURE 10.8: Corral’s Contention Crutch at Munoh Farm Source: Authors. Source: Authors. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 0 — I N VE ST ME NT IN FARMS 39 FIGURE 10.9: Drinking Trough and Water Control System FIGURE 10.10: Herdsman’s House at Munoh Farm Source: Authors. Source: Authors. animals purchased. Some of the recommendations with Either one of the �rst two should be the basis for a respect to animal health issues were as follows: crossing program, and the females purchased should belong to either of those two breeds. In the case of 1. Animals must be tested for relevant transmissible bulls, the European dairy breeds (such as Holstein, diseases. To determine which are relevant in the re- Simmental, or Jersey) may have problems adapting gion, it was suggested that an experienced veterinar- to Tugi conditions. Therefore, to make quick ge- ian be consulted. netic progress, crossbred bulls, either Gudali or Red 2. Animals must be sprayed or, even better, dipped Mbororo crossed with Holstein or Simmental, should to eliminate external parasites and must also be be sought depending on market availability dewormed. (�gures 10.11 to 10.14). 3. All animals should be maintained and observed on one farm for at least 40 days. In addition to the fac- tors cited above, another advantage of quarantining at Munoh Farm was its accessibility and proximity to FIGURE 10.11: Young Crossbred Bull from Jakiri (with the village. a Low Proportion of Holstein Genes) Regarding the selection of animals to be purchased, the rec- ommendations were as follows: 1. Type/Breeds of Animals: This depends on the pur- pose of the exploitation and the prevalent conditions on the farms where animals will be introduced. Decision makers in TUSIP and Tugi Village indicated that there is interest in moving eventually to milk pro- duction, which requires good conditions and special training of farm operators, and a clear identi�cation of market opportunities. Based on this, the sugges- tion was to start with a dual-purpose system, such as the one practiced at the Mbengwi Monastery, some 18 km from Tugi. The Gudali and Red Mbororo/ Fulani breeds show more characteristics of milk production–oriented cattle than the White Fulani. Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 40 C H A PTER 10 — INV ES TMENT IN FA R M S FIGURE 10.12: Type of Animals Purchased at FIGURE 10.13: Type of Animals Purchased at PRTC-Nfonta SODEPA-Jakiri Source: Authors. Source: Authors. FIGURE 10.14: Crossbred Gudhali × Holstein Young Cow 2. Age of Cows and Bulls: All may agree to start with young animals, but the fertility status of the animals should be checked. Cows should have had one or two calvings at most. In the case of bulls, minimum age is not relevant because of the variability in growth rates observed in the NWR, but young bulls that are ready for reproduction should be selected. 3. Reproductive Ability: The main interest in bringing the animals to TUSIP farms is to improve or initiate ef�cient cattle production activities. A basic condition for this is to bring healthy animals with proven repro- ductive ability. Although pregnant heifers or young cows could be a good choice, it was recommended to avoid purchasing these given dif�culties with transportation to Tugi; hence, cows that have calved once or twice already should be sought. For bulls, a Source: Authors. sperm analysis should be done to check for viability. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 1 — D E VE L OP ME NT OF L OCAL CAPABIL ITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILV OPA STORA L SY S TEMS 41 Chapter 11: DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL CAPABILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS Farmers in Tugi practice traditional systems because their ac- activities carried out on their farms, participating in the group cess to modern technical knowledge in agriculture is almost learning sessions, and eventually even identifying and imple- nil, as the of�cial innovation system is almost nonexistent in menting their own innovations (such as planting vegetative the Gutah Hills. The presence of the government institutions materials for live fencing) and replicating the innovations in responsible for topics related to the silvopastoral systems other areas of their farms. In this respect, the process was covered by TUSIP is very limited; in some cases, their role is not easy, but the village authority (HRH Wilson Mbakwa IV, mostly regulatory (such as granting permits for tree harvest- Fon of Tugi) was instrumental in facilitating changes in the ing and controlling animals brought to the Acha-Tugi Cattle attitude of farm operators, such that ownership of project Market) or for the control of animal diseases (such as livestock innovations by different project stakeholders can now be vaccination campaigns). Tugi has two extension posts, one recognized. for agriculture and one for veterinary and animal husbandry services, but only the latter has a resident staff. Neither has a formal, structured training program for farmers. Very few 11.1 PARTICIPATORY LEARNING SESSIONS villagers have had access to innovations in livestock and crop Decisions regarding which learning sessions to hold and production. Two residents of Tugi-Tugi attended technical when and how to develop them were sometimes opportu- training in animal husbandry and veterinary services, but only nistic, based on technology innovations or practices needed one was applying his training on his own farm, and he very at a given time on the pilot farms, but some sessions were seldom offered services to others. Only one woman reported designed speci�cally to analyze the work done by a group. that she attended trainings at the PRTC. However, in all cases, participating groups were selected based on their interest and on the potential for replication of Based on the above, the technical advisor planned to apply the innovations discussed. The hands-on or learning by do- participatory learning and experimentation methods, starting ing principles that characterize the FFS approach (Aguilar et with the identi�cation of problems and opportunities, partici- al. 2010; Minjauw et al. 2004; Pezo, Cruz, and Piniero 2007) patory curricula development, and design and implementa- were applied, and all learning sessions were held directly on tion of innovations, as well as participatory monitoring and the pilot farms. evaluation (Groeneweg et al. 2006). However, full application of this approach was limited initially by the fact that farm The topics covered in the learning sessions were as follows: operators were expecting project staff to tell them what to do, instead of participating actively in the decision-making Rehabilitation of degraded pastures process. Moreover, the duration of the project (22 months), 1. How to build fences for better pasture management along with the proximity of the �rst rains that de�ne the 2. What is a weed in a pasture and how to control it proper timing for planting, forced project staff to apply a tra- 3. Enriching pastures by oversowing valuable grasses ditional top-down approach, but they kept in mind the need and legumes to identify strategies to ensure ownership of the innovations by farm operators in the future. 4. How pasture establishment can fail Management of tree nurseries At the beginning of the project, farm operators were only observers of the changes they authorized project staff to 1. Growing trees in bags: the tree nursery management make on their plots. It took almost six months for them to 2. Drafting and marcotting as a means to get better fruit become actively involved, accompanying the staff in the �eld trees A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 42 C H AP T E R 1 1 — DE VE L OP ME NT OF LOC A L CA PA B ILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILV OPA STORA L S Y S TEM S Other learning sessions FIGURE 11.1: Youth Participating in a Weed Control Session 1. Planting grasses and legumes in fodder banks 2. Fire tracing: a strategy for preventing pasture losses during the dry season. Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures The methodologies applied in each session varied with the topics and participants. For example, the one on building fences (session 1) was carried out in several practical ses- sions with different groups of workers who participated actively in building the fences for all pilot farms; after com- pleting the fencing on at least three pilot farms, a review session was held with the youth who participated in the work plus representatives of the families who own the pilot farms. A special session on the same topic was also held for the Fulani livestock keepers. The session on weed control Source: Authors. (session 2) was conducted with the people who participated in controlling weeds on the pilot farms, but one learning session was held before starting the practical work to clarify FIGURE 11.2: Review Session on How to Build Fences which species could be considered weeds, thereby prevent- ing the elimination of valuable species (�gure 11.1). A similar strategy was applied in the case of the session on how to introduce improved grasses and legumes for rehabilitation of degraded pastures (session 3). Finally there was a review lesson (session 4) to analyze the strategies applied for reha- bilitation of degraded pastures and the results obtained plant- ing grasses and legumes (including the ones in the fodder banks) (�gure 11.2). Workers and farm operators participated in this session. The themes described above constituted an FFS on Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastures and Fence Building. In October 2010, as part of a program prepared to coincide with a World Bank Operational Mission, certi�cates were Source: Authors. awarded to those who satisfactorily completed the train- ing. Although about 50 men from Acha-Tugi, Tugi-Tugi, and Tuochup-Chup participated in the different learning sessions, ICRAF staff had to come to the village, those trainings were only 25 of them received the certi�cate. It is important to organized as a short intensive course over three days (26–28 note that people trained by the project started applying the July 2010), again using the learning by doing training approach. knowledge acquired from similar activities programmed as Twenty-three women and ten men completed the training part of the Gender Mainstreaming Component and replicat- and received a certi�cate when the World Bank Operational ing the innovations on other farms in the area or extending Mission visited Tugi. The ICRAF facilitator made two follow-up the areas under rehabilitation in some of the pilot farms. visits to interact with the course participants and monitored progress in the nursery and tree propagation work. Management of Tree Nurseries In the training offered by ICRAF staff, participants were intro- Learning sessions on establishment and management of tree duced to the methods of plant propagation in polyethylene nurseries and other techniques relevant for installing agro- bags, as well as in the three main vegetative techniques forestry innovations (sessions 5 and 6) were offered as part used for the improvement and propagation of trees—marcot- of the collaborative work with ICRAF (�gure 11.3). Given that ting, grafting, and propagating by cuttings. These techniques INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 1 — D E VE L OP ME NT OF L OCAL CAPABIL ITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILV OPA STORA L SY S TEMS 43 FIGURE 11.3: Youth Preparing the Substrate for Component. Moreover, the women who participated in the Growing Trees training sessions offered by the silvopastoral component shared the knowledge already acquired with others. Accidental �re is a well-known problem in the village and the rest of the region. During the dry season of 2010, the techni- cal advisor witnessed at least three �res in Tugi. To prevent problems with the rehabilitated grazing areas where there was an accumulation of large amounts of standing biomass, project staff did �re tracing around the pastures. The work formed the basis for a participatory learning session attended by 25 workers and farm operators from Tugi-Tugi, Acha-Tugi, and Tuochup-Chup (�gure 11.4). Topics covered included the common causes of �re, the consequences of �re on the pas- ture and on the environment, and the different management strategies used to prevent bush �re from spreading. Source: Authors. An important aspect of the participatory learning sessions was that in all sessions, participants made their own contri- were applied with guava (Psidium guava), kola nut (Kola niti- butions, citing and sharing some local knowledge, such as cia), and African plum (Prunus a�cana), respectively. identi�cation of nonforage species that have value as medici- nal plants and spices, the use of local tools for land prepara- Other Learning Sessions tion before planting and for tensioning the fences, making The session on the establishment of fodder banks (session modi�cations in the design of paddock gates, and so on (�g- 7) was conducted initially with the women’s groups who ures 11.5 to 11.8). After the trainings, the pilot farm heads volunteered for planting the cut-and-carry forages. There and others replicated the innovations on their own farms, were two separate sessions, one in Tugi-Tugi and another as did some heads of nonpilot farms. Among the latter, Mr. in Tuochup. Afterward, the gender specialist applied the George Tah (then mayor of the council with jurisdiction over guideline developed when she trained the different women’s the project community) established more than 1 ha of fodder groups who established fodder banks for the sheep and goat banks and built fences following the models implemented by units promoted under the TUSIP Gender Mainstreaming TUSIP, and Mr. Andrew Tayong (staff of NWR-based African FIGURE 11.4: Graduates of the Tree Nursery FIGURE 11.5: Women Carrying Guatemala Grass Management Training Cuttings Source: Authors. Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 44 C H AP T E R 1 1 — DE VE L OP ME NT OF LOC A L CA PA B ILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILV OPA STORA L S Y S TEM S FIGURE 11.6: Women Discussing How to Plant Fodder FIGURE 11.8: The Research Assistant Applying Banks Participatory Methods in Training a Men’s Group Source: Authors. Source: Authors. FIGURE 11.7: The Gender Specialist Applying Participatory Methods in Training a Women’s Group blocks, preventive animal health practices, design and con- struction of corrals (although some corrals were built with the participation of villagers), and others. Training on the use of mineral supplements for cattle and sheep was planned to be held before project completion. 11.2 PREPARATION OF EXTENSION BULLETINS AND LEAFLETS TUSIP’s experiences implementing some of the technol- ogy innovations were documented in extension bulletins and leaflets, as project staff could not �nd any literature produced in the country that could be used as a reference for FFS facilitators, technical staff, and farmers. A Manual on Shrubs for Feeding Animals (Wambugu et al. 2006) and sev- eral Extension Fact Sheets on fodder trees and alley farming Source: Authors. were obtained from ICRAF, which helped TUSIP staff pre- pare materials for training. Development Bank (AfDB)-funded rural development proj- The publications prepared under TUSIP were written in ect) and his brother oversowed more than 2.0 ha of degraded English, designed as support tools for the participatory pastures with Brachiaria ruziziensis. After the training ses- learning process, and distributed among farm operators and sion on �re tracing, the pilot farm family heads took it upon workers who were able to read; however, they could also themselves to replicate the �re control measures on their be used by technical staff of NGOs and government of�cials farms, as did two nonpilot farmers (Mr. Isaiah T. Chick and interested in the rehabilitation of degraded pasturelands and Mr. Andrew Tayong). the implementation of silvopastoral systems. Very few cop- ies of each have been printed, but they have been posted Other planned learning sessions could not be carried out, on the AMF website for consultation and eventual use in such as ones on hay making, preparation of multinutrient training. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 1 — D E VE L OP ME NT OF L OCAL CAPABIL ITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILV OPA STORA L SY S TEMS 45 The bulletins and leaflets published are as listed: �rst training efforts was to introduce the research assistant (who eventually became the �eld assistant) to the meth- 1. “How to build fences for improved pasture manage- ods for assessing the status of degradation in pastures. ment� (Pezo and Azah 2010c) This was complemented later with training on how to es- 2. “How to control bracken fern (iwheungh) in the timate forage availability in pastures using the BOTANAL Gutah Hills� (Pezo and Azah 2010d) system. 3. “Planting grass/legume fodder banks� (Pezo and Azah 2010e). Participatory Learning and Experimentation A fourth bulletin describing the experiences in the rehabilita- Methodologies tion of degraded pastures was to be prepared, but it was not possible to complete it due to limited time and resources. The technical assistant and the gender specialist were in- These publications need to be complemented by the cor- troduced to the methodologies used for group learning ses- responding Extension Fact Sheets, ideally illustrated with sions applying the FFS approach. Moreover, CATIE’s tech- drawings for those who cannot read and write, but project nical advisor worked with the TUSIP technical assistant to staff were not able to work on those given the limited avail- prepare learning session guidelines and to facilitate sessions ability of time. These publications would also be useful if and in the �eld. Although the latter may need additional training when TUSIP is scaled up. on participatory methodologies, he is already prepared to in- dependently facilitate FFS sessions (as demonstrated by his facilitation of the �re tracing session). 11.3 TRAINING PROJECT STAFF Strengthening the technical capability of partner institu- Implementation and Management of Some tions to improve the livelihoods of the rural population Silvopastoral Innovations through integrated management of agriculture and natural The technical assistant and �eld assistant were trained in resources is part of CATIE’s mandate. Therefore, training the implementation of several silvopastoral options, some of TUSIP counterparts in Cameroon was a task assigned to them already implemented in Tugi. The technical assistant the technical advisor, although it was not explicitly stated was also trained on the use of the LIFE-SIM simulation pack- among the project objectives. In this context, methodolo- age to assess year-round feeding strategies, on the use of gies, research tools, and �eld experiences were shared in GIS packages, on rotational pasture management, and on a one-on-one interaction during the two periods (seven other techniques. Some of those were part of his three-week months) that the professional assigned by CATIE was work- training held in Costa Rica. For the gender specialist, special ing in Cameroon, as well as through the Internet when he training sessions were carried out on the design of elevated was in Costa Rica and elsewhere. A similar strategy was pens for small ruminants, on the establishment and manage- applied when the technical assistant was trained in Costa ment of fodder banks, and on the use of local feed resources Rica. to feed small ruminants, among other topics. The technical advisor was also a liaison with the AMF for im- plementing administrative procedures acceptable to CATIE Training of the TUSIP Research Assistant at CATIE and the World Bank; therefore, project administrative staff Headquarters and the research assistant shared ideas on how to design Mr. Chick Herman Azah was trained in Costa Rica from 7 to templates in Excel to report expenditures and to analyze 29 March 2011 (�gures 11.9 and 11.10). After induction in progress in budget execution. CATIE, including visits to its facilities and special training on The following sections describe the activities conducted to the rich bibliographic collection available at the library, Mr. train the AMF staff in technical matters. Azah participated in several individual training sessions with CATIE specialists on the following topics: pasture evalua- tion techniques, grazing management, silvopastoral options, Assessment of the Pasture Degradation Status establishment and management of fodder banks, design The decision on when and how to rehabilitate degraded of year-round feeding strategies, supplementary feeding of pastures is a function of the level of degradation; as the cattle and small ruminants using multinutrient blocks, forage project was in a zone where pasture degradation was a seed production, participatory mapping using GIS techniques, limiting factor for ef�cient livestock production, one of the and planning of agronomic trials for the evaluation of forage A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 46 C H AP T E R 1 1 — DE VE L OP ME NT OF LOC A L CA PA B ILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SILV OPA STORA L S Y S TEM S FIGURE 11.9: The TUSIP Research Assistant Checking FIGURE 11.10: The TUSIP Research Assistant Learning a Simple Fodder Chopper in about Cratylia argentea (a Fodder Tree) Santa Cruz de Turrialba (Costa Rica) at UTN/ECAG in Atenas (Costa Rica) Source: Authors. Source: Authors. germplasm. These learning sessions were complemented products and live animals. As a result of the interactions with with �eld visits to farms located in the humid and subhumid researchers and lecturers of two CATIE partner institutions tropics, as well as of the highlands of Costa Rica, in which he in Costa Rica (The Central American School for Livestock had the opportunity to talk with farm owners. In those visits, Production [ECAG], and the Ministry of Agriculture), it was he was exposed to dairy and beef cattle and goat systems, as possible to obtain more forage seeds for testing, some for well as to the processing and commercialization of livestock low and mid-altitudes, and others for the highlands of Tugi. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 2 — U N DE RSTANDING FARME RS’ P E RCEPTIONS A ND EX PECTATIONS OF PROJECT INTERVENTIONS 47 Chapter 12: UNDERSTANDING FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS OF PROJECT INTERVENTIONS Given the short duration of the project and the length of the Another bene�t of the intervention appreciated by participat- pasture rehabilitation processes, as well as the time required ing farmers was that animals could be maintained in the vil- for implementing silvopastoral options, it was not possible lage year round; there is no longer a need for transhumance to make a thorough assessment of farmers’ perceptions on during the dry season with the corresponding social/family the impacts of the innovations. However, based on informal implications. conversations with farm operators, workers, and other villag- ers, some preliminary conclusions could be drawn. The main targeted vulnerable groups (unemployed youth and women) recruited offered their labor to implement the tech- All people visiting the pastures where rehabilitation strate- nology innovations promoted by TUSIP; they got a wage in gies were implemented noticed clear differences in pasture return (USD 5 per day, which is over the minimum wage paid composition and herbage availability between the intervened in the area). Youth (mainly male) were hired for all pasture and control paddocks. Some of the noticeable advantages rehabilitation work (for example, to cut and carry poles, build included the increase in the availability of edible grasses and dead fences, control weeds, oversow pastures, and conduct legumes, the reduction in the infestation of bracken fern �re tracing), while faith-based women’s groups were hired and other weeds, enhanced erosion control, and so forth. It to plant the fodder banks and oversow grasses and legumes was not possible to get estimates of the impacts on animal in rehabilitated pastures. In addition to the wages earned, all productivity, given the time elapsed and the fact that new workers participated in learning sessions that prepared them animals were still being purchased for some of the farms. to replicate the experiences in other farms (thereby eventu- However, there were indirect indications of how farmers per- ally earning money for doing so). ceived those changes. There has been already some limited replication of the pasture rehabilitation techniques in the pilot It is also important to note that some unemployed youth farms as well as in at least three of the nonparticipating farms. from Tugi who were living in cities and exposed to other vul- nerabilities associated with city life heard of the project and Adoption is a slow process but is even slower when invest- were attracted by the employment opportunities created by ments are required and farmers have economic resource TUSIP. Many of those who returned found a job with the proj- limitations. The pasture rehabilitation strategies per se were ect, used the income gained to provide for themselves and low cost, but the cost of fencing was the most limiting factor. their signi�cant others, and are now living a more digni�ed There is no doubt that the investment could be recovered life in the village. The women used the income generated to with higher productivity (as demonstrated earlier), but there procure more basic social needs (such as school uniform and was a need for initial capital to do so. Means for �nancing material, improved nutritional and medical needs covered for the replication of project experiences need to be sought. themselves and their children). Many started saving some of Project staff simulated several scenarios demonstrating the the money earned through the traditional savings organiza- economic feasibility of implementing the proposed technol- tion that operates in each quarter, and a micro�nance organi- ogy innovations, but an in vivo demonstration is needed and zation is in the process of being established in Tugi to provide should be one of the �rst efforts developed after the project formal rural �nancial services to these new income or wage ends. earners, creating potential demand for such services. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 1 3 — R A ISING AWARE NE SS ON T USIP OBJECTIVES A ND A CTIVITIES 49 Chapter 13: RAISING AWARENESS ON TUSIP OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES TUSIP started by organizing meetings with local leaders relevant technical ministerial departments in the Divisions and representatives of the target community to explain the of Agriculture, Livestock, Environment, Forestry and Natural purpose of the project and its proposed activities to develop Resource Management (�gure 13.2); they each pledged ownership within the community. The technical advisor par- their individual and collective support to see the project suc- ticipated in meetings developed in Tugi-Tugi and Acha-Tugi ceed in rehabilitating grazing vegetation, managing erosion, and later visited the fon and kingmakers of the neighboring and introducing silvopastoral technologies aimed at curbing village Ngwokwong; the research assistant also made a rampant and sometimes lethal conflicts between crop and presentation in another neighboring village (Oshie). Those livestock farmers. meetings were attended by representatives of the two eth- nic groups (Meta and Fulanis) that constitute the majority of Project Management Committee (PMC) meetings have the population. taken place since inception of the project with at least �ve ordinary and three expanded PMC meetings convened Besides these, at least four workshops or presentations during the time the technical advisor was in Cameroon, at were organized by the TUSIP leader with authorities gov- which progress made by the project was discussed and erning the area where the project operates to sensitize the documented. In PMC meetings, its regular members, the public, raise awareness, and increase buy-in for TUSIP. The hierarchy of the Tugi Cultural and Development Association, technical advisor assigned by CATIE participated in at least and the Tugi Livestock Farmers’ Cooperative received up- three of those (�gure 13.1). The authorities deemed as stra- dates from the PMC chair, CATIE’s technical advisor, and tegic partners included the senior divisional of�cer for Momo the project’s research assistant. Following each meeting, Division, his �rst assistant, the district of�cer for Mbengwi members were charged with the responsibility to go back to Central, the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, and heads of the community to educate people on the objectives and ex- pectations of the project. Some of the techniques developed were documented in flyers and disseminated at meetings FIGURE 13.1: CATIE Technical Advisor Presenting TUSIP to Government Of�cials in Momo Division FIGURE 13.2: Participants in a Workshop Held in Mbengwi to Present a TUSIP Progress Report Source: Authors. Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 50 CHA PTER 13 — R A ISING AWA RENESS ON TUSIP OBJEC TIVES A ND A C TIV ITIES through PowerPoint presentations and hard copies and to Operational Mission visited the project, staff of the national others by e-mail with electronic copies of the flyers attached. radio and television system (Cameroon Radio and Television) In addition, press releases were prepared and distributed accompanied the delegation and prepared a series of reports among journalists representing newspapers and radio sta- on the project and the technologies promoted, and those tions with coverage in the NWR. Also, when the World Bank were presented nationwide on several occasions. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON C H A P T E R 1 4 — E S TABL ISHME NT OF PART NE RSHIP S 51 Chapter 14: ESTABLISHMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS The project tried to establish links with several institutions new project. Although the University of Dschang was not a in addition to the government institutions cited in the previ- formal partner, it provided analyses of soil, water, and blood ous section. At the local level, the PRTC, Nfonta, IRAD, and samples sent by TUSIP, and more recently staff of the Faculty HPI were approached. PRTC-Nfonta helped TUSIP locate of Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences contributed ideas for and procure seeds and seed materials that were tested for the preparation of a Concept Note for extending the experi- adaptability in the project area and could become a provider ences developed by TUSIP. Moreover, some of the university of some of the cattle to be purchased with TUSIP funds. No staff expressed interest in participating in the new project. further interactions were established with IRAD after the initial visit to learn about their research activities. HPI was Among the CGIAR centers, ILRI and ICRAF supported differ- identi�ed as a potential partner considering their areas of ent TUSIP activities. Their role providing germplasm, infor- interest; although one of its staff attended two of the project mation, and training was described in previous sections of meetings, no commitments were made by HPI to participate this report, and more involvement of those institutions in a in project activities, but HPI could be a potential partner in a new project is foreseen. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 1 5 — A P ROP OSAL F OR SCAL ING T USIP LESS ONS LEA RNED “UP A ND OUT� 53 Chapter 15: A PROPOSAL FOR SCALING TUSIP LESSONS LEARNED “UP AND OUT� TUSIP is a success story of South-South cooperation, having Productivity and Reducing Vulnerability to the Climate adapted technology innovations developed in Central America Change as Strategies to Improve the Livelihoods in Poor to the circumstances of the Gutah Hills, resulting in rehabilita- Agro-Silvopastoral Communities of the Gutah Hills of tion of degraded pasture lands, improved livestock productivity, Cameroon,� as an effort to scale up and out the lessons increased income of rural communities, and reduced risk and learned in TUSIP’s 22 months of operation. This initiative vulnerability to climate change. The Gender Mainstreaming is proposed to be conducted in partnership with the cur- component initiated in the second part of 2010 demonstrated rent local partner, AMF, ILRI, and ICRAF, as well as other the relevance of effective incorporation of village women’s Cameroonian government institutions and NGOs. The pro- groups, to support not only implementation of silvopastoral posed project is for four years, with a total budget of USD technology innovations, but also other activities that respond 3,050,000. more directly to women’s main role in agricultural produc- tion, creating an environment for harmonious crop-livestock The leader of GAMMA submitted the Concept Note to the integration whereby food crops and livestock are raised to World Bank and discussed submitting it as a joint proposal to promote the livelihoods of farm families as a whole. potential donors with the newly elected Director General of ILRI and a representative of ICRAF. CATIE already contacted Based on the above, CATIE, in collaboration with its partners IFAD as one of the potential donors but will continue seeking in Cameroon, prepared a Concept Note titled “Increasing other donors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 1 6 — T H E WAY F ORWARD 55 Chapter 16: THE WAY FORWARD TUSIP closed on 30 September 2011, but there are still sev- before introducing it in production systems. Advice was eral activities that need to be followed up on to ensure that provided to consider efforts for multiplying those pasture the impact of the project continues and, more importantly, is and tree species identi�ed as promising, either through the enhanced. The work with pastures in general, and more spe- production of seeds or vegetative multiplication. ci�cally in applying silvopastoral approaches, requires time It was impossible to obtain data on the sustainability of the for installing technology innovations, and for evaluating those proposed technologies in less than two years, but this was under livestock management. During the period covered by known during the project planning phase. Therefore, efforts the project operation, some technologies were implemented were made to train local staff and farmers to continue imple- and some evaluations were started. Simulation programs menting, monitoring, and extending the results obtained. were needed to predict the impacts of the innovations in the long run. Recovery of degraded pastures takes at least CATIE is interested in continuing to support its partners in one year before animals can be introduced into rehabilitated Cameroon and in being part of further efforts to scale out the paddocks, and the same applies to fodder banks. The pur- lessons learned in TUSIP. For that purpose, CATIE contacted chase of animals was delayed until the pastures, corrals, and potential donors to provide the funding for the new project as herdsmen’s houses were ready—pasture evaluations can be already described. Moreover, CATIE will continue contacting effectively conducted only after this. Also, the project intro- its local partners to share new �ndings and to identify solu- duced new forage germplasm in the area, which needs to tions to any problems detected with the technology innova- be tested under controlled conditions for at least two years tions put in place in Tugi. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 1 7 — B U D GE T E XE CUT ION 57 Chapter 17: BUDGET EXECUTION The World Bank’s contribution to TUSIP was USD 195,000, amount assigned to CATIE was also spent in Cameroon. A received by CATIE, but according to project planning, 56.4 funds use analysis of the amounts allocated up to the end percent of that was transferred to AMF for TUSIP operations of the project extension (30 September 2011) is presented in the �eld. More than 90 percent (90.6 percent) of the fee in table 17.1. TABLE 17.1: TUSIP Financial Report for the Period 1 November 2009 to 30 September 2011 EXECUTION EXECUTED BY RATE BY SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, BUDGET 2011 2011 ITEM (USD) (USD) (%) International consultant fees 57,000.00 57,000.00 100.00% Transactions costs/processing fees 8,000.00 8,000.00 100.00% Local consultant fees 20,000.00 18,955.70 94.78% Travel 20,000.00 20,000.00 100.00% Dissemination (workshops, publications, Web) 10,000.00 10,234.31 102.34% Others (investment on farms) 80,000.00 80,809.97 101.01% Total 195,000.00 194,999.98 100.00% Source: Authors. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) C H A P T E R 1 8 — S O M E F INAL RE F L E CT IONS 59 Chapter 18: SOME FINAL REFLECTIONS Natural resources (forest cover and soils) are already In the Gutah Hills, farmers’ access to technology in- seriously degraded in the Gutah Hills, affecting the formation and to adequate market channels is almost productivity of crop-animal systems and the liveli- nonexistent; however, the application of participatory hoods of the communities. Water availability is not yet approaches for learning and experimentation, as well a limiting factor, but its quality is already a problem. as the effective involvement of existing groups in The nonsustainable land-use management practices production and transformation processes, are ways to currently applied reduce the feasibility of mitigating contribute to alleviating poverty in rural communities. climate change impacts. The nature of the problems faced by farmers requires The silvopastoral innovations promoted by TUSIP are a holistic approach and cooperation of stakeholders options to rehabilitate degraded lands, increase animal with different backgrounds and interests (including productivity, reduce the time required for animals to government and nongovernment institutions and local reach the market, mitigate the emission of green- leaders) working together for development. house gases per kilogram of animal product and per TUSIP is an example of the importance of promoting animal life span, increase the potential for carbon South-South cooperation in silvopastoral technology/ sequestration, and, more importantly, contribute to knowledge transfer given the similarities among improving the livelihoods of farming communities. tropical countries in terms of agro-ecological condi- The main constraint to implementation of such in- tions and production systems, as well as the globally novations is the availability of capital for investment; relevant threat of climate change. therefore, subsidies or payments for ecosystem services schemes need to be implemented to make these options feasible. A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) AP P E N D I X — S E L E CT COMME NT S F ROM P E E R RE VIEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH ORS 61 Appendix: SELECT COMMENTS FROM PEER REVIEWERS AND RESPONSES BY AUTHORS I. COMMENTS BY RETIRED WORLD BANK the labor costs for fencing, weeding, or planting SENIOR ADVISOR IN LIVESTOCK (NOW because those activities were used as a learning CONSULTANT AT THE WORLD BANK) opportunity for other workers and TUSIP needed 1. What are the drivers of the reported strong the work completed in a short period. Replication uptake of the technology? (a) Is it lack of aware- of the areas intervened by the project was done ness of the technology, as the report seems to completely by farm families. Construction of indicate, but is hard to believe for me, as these the corral and herdsmen’s houses in the fam- technologies are not new; (b) the subsidy level, ily farms were completely paid for by the farm while it might be in the report, I didn’t get a clear owners. One exception was on the community idea of the total level of subsidy of the farms; or farm, where the constructions of the herdsman’s (c) the fencing, as a means of getting individual house and annexes for the community farm were access to land? completely paid with project funds, although labor (a) The technologies proposed by TUSIP are not was provided by the community. The idea for the new in many other places, but as indicated in latter was that the community farm would be the report, livestock extension services in the used as a research and training unit for the whole area where the project operated were almost community and for neighboring villages. nonexistent. Even though there is an of�ce with (c) The fencing did not cover all of the farmland, only a veterinary nurse, that of�ce was more involved the areas intervened by the project. The initial in vaccination programs and not on activities on purpose was to prevent animals from getting into pasture management, animal feeding, and so pastures when they were under rehabilitation. forth. Consequently, TUSIP technologies were Those fences will also serve to establish planned new for the farmers in the area where the project rotational grazing systems to prevent pasture operated. The pilot farm operators and other live- degradation after the rehabilitated pastures enter stock farmers interviewed con�rmed that there the regular grazing management regime. has been a lack of an innovation system for the 2. Related to the subsidy question, the project livestock sector in the target area of the project. seems to indicate that payment for environmen- Also, TUSIP staff faced a lack of seed materials for tal services (PES) is needed to make it �nancially improved species and a lack of knowledge at the attractive. Is credit alone not enough? In several local level. places the absence of capital is mentioned as the (b) The work was performed in relatively small areas main constraint. (from 0.9 to 4.4 ha) on the family pilot farms and Baseline surveys (at the household and quarter level) in a larger area in the community farm (about conducted at the beginning of the project included 10 of the 32 ha) where there were testing and a question related to the use of credit by farmers demonstration plots. The project covered the in the project community. All farmers indicated that costs of labor and part of the materials required they did not use credit. Most villagers saved money for fencing and for forage seeds, while farmers every week through the traditional savings system provided the timber used to make the poles and organized at the quarter level, but the amounts man- covered other miscellaneous costs. The project aged were small. While the project was running, a did not request pilot farm operators to cover bank institution approached the villagers to gather A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 62 AP P E NDIX — S ELEC T COMMENTS FROM PEER REV IEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH OR S information needed to decide whether they should According to the information gathered, at least three open a branch there, but project staff did not know farmers started replicating the rehabilitation strate- if the bank subsequently established a branch or a gies promoted by TUSIP. In all cases, these interven- system in the village. There are banks in Bamenda, tions were not larger than 2 ha, but keep in mind that which is about 50 km away, but none of the farm- these were “early adopters,� with more resources ers were using any bank services. Considering the than the rest of villagers who wanted to test almost high cost of installing some of the innovations (such in parallel what the project was doing. As is well as fencing, as mentioned in the report), TUSIP staff known from other experiences, there is a lag time for proposed provision of a subsidy to promote adoption accelerated adoption, and it will be facilitated once of technology innovations due to the strong potential actual productivity results are reported. Also, there for rehabilitated pasture to prevent and reduce nega- were nine women’s groups (each with an average of tive impacts on the environment. 25 members) that participated in the TUSIP Gender 3. Is PES included in the follow-up proposal, and Mainstreaming Component. The women groups with the experience of the 22 months and the started grazing and fodder bank areas in preparation simulations, could the report give indications on for receiving sheep. the form (at start, for a couple of years, continu- Regarding the number of people who worked for the ously, in kind or cash, up front or after the service project on a temporary basis, staff prepared a role for has been delivered) of the level of subsidy? all interested to participate on a rotational basis and PES is proposed as one of the components of the to get payment in a more equitable way. On average, follow-up proposal as a means of speeding up the there were 20 workers participating regularly, and 10 adoption of TUSIP technologies, recognizing the to 12 of those saved an average of FCFA 10,000 per advantages for the environment after those innova- month (approximately USD 20 per month). It should tions are implemented. In the report, the type and be noted that about 10 of the workers who had left level of subsidy were not discussed much, but based the village came back when the project started, and on the experience of TUSIP, the suggestion was to they were still in the village at the close of the proj- contribute 50 percent of the fence installation costs ect. It is dif�cult to project how many people could in kind, basically providing barbed wire (the highest- be employed by farmers in the new project because cost item) to ensure that good-quality materials are it will depend on the number of hectares rehabili- used. TUSIP staff found cheaper wire in the market, tated, but if each farmer rehabilitated �ve ha, the but it would not last long. Several details about the equivalent of three to four full-time workers would be quali�cation of applicants and monitoring procedures required on average for the whole rehabilitation pro- and other requirements need to be elaborated, but cess (including weed control, oversowing, and fenc- previous experiences in other World Bank– and GEF- ing). The idea is to have teams of 8 workers covering funded projects could be drawn upon. In the second more than one farm, and it should be highlighted that phase of the project, it should be possible to develop TUSIP has already trained more than 20 people who participatory farm plans with farmers and make could do such work. arrangements where subsidies or PES are made to 5. The use of the LIFE-SIM model is interesting farmers based on agreements on land-use changes (and at least gives some interesting �gures on or ful�llment of good management practices. methane emission), but how reliable is the model 4. The report describes a number of indirect im- under the Cameroonian conditions? pacts of the projects, without any quanti�cation. The LIFE-SIM model was initially developed by CIP Examples include that statements that “many with data obtained in the Andean region of South people in Tugi village have started fodder banks America, but later, with the collaboration of ILRI in small areas to feed their animals,� “many of and CATIE, the model was adapted and tested them picked a job with the project,� and “many for other regions such as Southeast Asia, China, of them started to save some money. . . .� In a Kenya, the Caribbean, and Central America. It is scienti�c report such as this, some more quanti�- true that the model has never been tested with the cation is desirable. predominant cattle genotypes found in Cameroon, but estimation of the “baseline scenario� using the INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON AP P E N D I X — S E L E CT COMME NT S F ROM P E E R RE VIEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH ORS 63 data for degraded pastures resulted in an almost been observed in many places; often farmers are accurate estimate of the number of years farmers impressed by the height and yield of the grasses reported it takes to bring animals to market weight. present in a fodder bank but have not been advised Consequently, TUSIP staff felt more comfortable on their proper management. In the participatory with the model and ran other scenarios (such as re- learning sessions and informal discussions with farm habilitated pastures with and without complementary operators and workers, TUSIP staff emphasized that feed obtained in the fodder banks). The model was fodder banks require special management measures run using the “criollo� genotypes of South America (that is, frequent use, application of manure, and as a reference. chopping either by machine or with a cutlass to make 6. How was the reaction of the Fulani to the fenc- fodder accessible for animals to eat). Thus, the fodder ing and this technology? As discussed earlier, bank technology can be seen not only as introduc- the fencing might interfere with their migratory ing and planting a new species, but it also requires livestock system. management and investment for proper utilization de- The Fulani participated in a demonstration and learn- pending on the number of animals to be fed. Fodder ing session about fence construction, but no fences banks were discussed as a strategic complement to have yet been built on their lands. In the session, forages obtained under grazing, not to be used for it was stressed that pasture rehabilitation, along all animals, but for the animals whose owners invest with other intensi�cation practices, should result in in such technology. Successful use of fodder bank enough forage availability even during the dry season technologies depends on other conditions also, such (when part of the herd is usually moved to other as access to markets and prices for improved cattle areas) to keep the family together at the family com- quality, removal of barriers such as cattle rustling, in- pound for the whole year. Fulani people are used to centives to invest in chopping machines, and so forth. moving their animals on certain routes, either to the 8. One technical question: Are �ve lines of fencing market or to pastures where the animals are main- required? tained during critical periods, and fencing could effec- The reason for having �ve lines of barbed wire in tively create conflicts if this interferes with their free the fences is that small ruminants (mostly goats movement. However, problems could be prevented and sheep) were grazing in the pastures around the by designing pasture fencing in a way that leaves intervened areas and many farmers were observed corridors for animal movement. This could also be fa- practicing mixed grazing systems (although cattle cilitated if the Village King (the fon), recognized by the constitute the majority of animals in the grazing natives and Fulani as the local authority, promoted groups). The distance between barbed wire lines meetings between farm operators and Fulani family was shorter in the �rst three lines to prevent sheep heads. If livestock farmers from different villages are and dwarf goats from going through, while the last involved, the local authorities of both villages could two lines had a longer distance between them. If join to promote this dialogue. there are only cattle in the grazing groups, TUSIP rec- 7. The reports indicate that fodder banks exist in the ommends having only four wire lines in the fences. village but are not used because the fodder is too old. What assurances are there that the same will II. COMMENTS BY THE WORLD BANK’S EUROPE not happen with the fodder banks established AND CENTRAL ASIA SENIOR LIVESTOCK under the project? SPECIALIST Two fodder banks in Tugi and one in a neighboring 1. The work to date seems very research oriented village (Tuochup-Chup) were not being used and and the results are useful. Will the follow-on proj- therefore served as the source of planting materials. ect be more of the same or move more toward Several reasons were given for why they were not scaling up in a practical way to promote adoption under use: one farmer reported that after his animals of what has been demonstrated would work. were stolen, he was too discouraged to buy new Before TUSIP started, project staff did not have animals, and therefore he was not using the fodder information on the level of pasture degradation that bank; another farmer reported that his animals did prevails in the Gutah Hills, so they decided to check not eat much fodder. These types of problems have if the scale used in Central America would work and A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 64 AP P E NDIX — S ELEC T COMMENTS FROM PEER REV IEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH OR S found it a practical tool for such a purpose. The staff The Meta people in Tugi do not have experience also determined that the experiences developed for producing milk, and their animals have limited milk Central America—at a similar latitude and elevation production potential. Based on this, TUSIP sug- to that of Tugi—on pasture rehabilitation strategies gested getting crossbred (local breeds crossed with and other technology innovations could be adapted European dairy breeds) bulls to serve their cows to to the project target area. The new project will be produce heifers with better milk production poten- oriented to promote the adoption of what worked in tial in the future. Among the available local breeds, TUSIP, but it should be recognized that 22 months the Red Fulani and Gudali cows were suggested for is too short to effectively assess most pasture and crossing, as phenotypically these are the ones with cattle technology interventions. Therefore, the new more favorable dairy characteristics. This process project will be built on the experiences developed will take time but could be accelerated by purchas- here (including the outputs of the simulation model), ing crossbred females if available in the market. but other best-bet interventions will also need to be However, regardless of the option chosen by Tugi tested on a limited scale before scaling up. In sum- farmers, there is a need for them to be trained on mary, the new project should emphasize promotion milk production, as the activity will be new for all. An of interventions that were proven to work, but some option not encouraged at this time is to bring dairy effort will need to be devoted to evaluating other cows like the ones promoted by the HPI because interventions that could not be tested under TUSIP. present conditions on the farms are not conducive 2. Will market drivers and processors be involved in for adequate milk production performance and ac- the next phase and will market considerations be cess to markets is limited by poor road conditions. integrated? Although the use of arti�cial insemination could allow Several projects demonstrated that market opportu- farmers to use better-quality bulls, it is not a viable nities are effective drivers of technology innovation; option at this time, as farmers need to �rst move to therefore, market considerations will be an integral more intensive management to facilitate heat detec- part of the new project. Moreover, given the condi- tion and improved feeding systems. tions under which TUSIP worked, most efforts were 4. The production system might also be improved devoted to primary production, and estimates of if, as suggested in the text, heifers are �rst calv- changes in animal productivity were obtained through ing at 4 years of age and cattle reach market modeling. In the new project, secondary production weight at (400 to 500 kg) at 7 years of age. Is this will be directly assessed, but emphasis will also be correct or am I missing something? The objec- placed on how to add value to livestock production. tive of reducing age to market to 5 years hardly Improvements for the local cattle market and for dry seems pro�table in any livestock model, and the meat processing are proposed for the new project. analysis then calculates IRR based on 200 to 400 Other aspects considered for the new project are kg BW. Please review the information for consis- strengthening farmers’ organizations, applying the tency in terms of age to market weight and IRR value-chain approach to add value, and marketing in calculations. It seems the best we can expect clusters to negotiate better prices. for age to market weight is 3.6 years based on 3. The breeding program proposed should be ex- table 9.2. Is that just on grass or does it include plored to improve ef�ciency and production with a con�ned fattening period? Age at �rst calving, gradual increase of appropriate improved genet- calving intervals, and days or months to market ics through AI or X-bred bulls as proposed. all seem to be potential areas for signi�cant im- TUSIP participating farmers and local leaders provement and bene�t to producers and should expressed interest in producing milk; however, the improve with better feeds and grazing, but this is conditions found on the farms and the limited market not referred to or analyzed. access suggest that several steps have to be taken None of the TUSIP participating farmers or the ones before getting involved in milk production. The Fulani considered as control farmers have any record keep- women have limited experience milking their cows; it ing systems for cattle production or reproduction; is done mostly in the �rst three months after calving, therefore, the �gures cited (four years old at �rst and the milk is used only for family consumption. calving and seven years to reach market weight) are INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON AP P E N D I X — S E L E CT COMME NT S F ROM P E E R RE VIEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH ORS 65 the result of estimates given by those interviewed. In as the ones suggested by TUSIP. After the technical the simulation model, target weight scenarios of 400 advisor left the country, three dairy herds were visited and 500 kg BW were used. Actually, 400 kg could be by project staff and farmers; two of those were the the best slaughtering weight based on the conforma- source of the crossbred animals bought by the proj- tion of those animals. In terms of feeding strategies, ect. Those herds need to be evaluated for the level of only those based in pastures were considered (either milk production obtained per lactation to choose the rehabilitated pastures managed under grazing or appropriate equations to run the LIFE-SIM model that the same plus supplementation with cut-and-carry will assess the potential responses to the proposed forages). Indirect observations, such as the cow/ technology interventions in terms of milk production, calf ratio in the herd composition, suggested that live weight change of cows during the lactation pe- fertility is a constraint in the system, attributed to riod, and expected effects on reproduction. This work the fact that soils in the area are poor in phosphorus, should be done at the beginning of the new project, pasture availability is limited (particularly during the as village authorities and many farmers expressed rainy season), and farmers do not provide mineral interest in shifting gradually into milk production mixtures to the animals. Based on those factors, systems. TUSIP recommended including in the FFS curricula a 6. Has the team given any consideration to coopera- session on mineral supplementation using multinutri- tion with Heifer Project International (HPI), which ent blocks, with a corresponding simple participatory also operates in Cameroon? We are in contact experimentation exercise. This could not be imple- with them on other projects if there is any inter- mented while the project operated, but is expected est and you may be able to leverage some of to be part of the new project learning sessions, as their funding. The proposal to scale up TUSIP is a strong impact on accelerating animal growth and similar to the work HPI is currently undertaking in reproductive performance is anticipated. Scenarios Cameroon involving supplementation with concentrates were The HPI-Cameroon of�ces were visited by TUSIP not considered because farmers only use those for staff, and HPI’s staff were invited to participate in pigs. The use of supplements could be a further step some of the meetings organized by TUSIP, but there in intensi�cation, as it would signi�cantly reduce was not the same level of response as that obtained time to get to the market weight, but at this stage, from ICRAF or ILRI. For cattle activities, HPI’s main the focus was more on understanding the potential efforts are in smallholder peri-urban dairy production of an almost self-suf�cient system, with very limited in the NWR of Cameroon, relatively not far (about use of external inputs. If farmers produce more fod- 2 hours) from the TUSIP site, and their main of�ce der trees on their farms, those could provide some is located in the same city as the Akwi Memorial supplementary protein or the farmers would basi- Foundation of�ce. Once the new TUSIP project cally be requiring some cheap energy source for a moves toward milk production, it should establish supplement. more effective collaboration with HPI. 5. If dairy is a potential area of improvement, I 7. In terms of the grazing management systems, would like to see more data on the milk produc- I am not knowledgeable of the situation in tion and demonstration of potential improvement Cameroon, but it would seem to me that there is such as table 9.2 including yield data, calving some opportunity to combine the paddock fenc- intervals, and so forth. ing with some form of community-based pasture Potential responses to the technology interventions management as is being done in other countries proposed by TUSIP were simulated using only the as a transitional strategy until the more sedentary beef cattle routine of the LIFE-SIM model because fence-based approach to pasture management that is the only option practiced so far by farmers can be invested in. Is this being considered? in the Gutah Hills. The model also has a routine for TUSIP fully agrees with the observation. It is not predicting milk production with dual-purpose cows, possible (at least in the mid-term) to convert the but this scenario was not estimated as there are whole area currently managed in an extensive graz- no local data on the potential of the proposed milk ing system into one based on the use of paddock production system using crossbred animals such fencing for two reasons: (1) high investment costs A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 66 AP P E NDIX — S ELEC T COMMENTS FROM PEER REV IEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH OR S for transforming the prevalent grazing system in The method reported is for the assessment of the Gutah Hills and (2) most grazers are using the pasture degradation status as a basis for deciding government’s land based on a grazing permit so they which pasture rehabilitation strategies need to be will not invest in an area they do not own. For TUSIP applied, not for making decisions on grazing manage- staff, fencing is at �rst a tool for excluding animals ment (that is, when to put or take out animals from from a pasture that is subject to rehabilitation. a given paddock). The proposed system for assess- Although it is a challenging task, the same could be ing pasture degradation is based on visual observa- done in areas grazed with a herdsman, but as indi- tions and therefore does not require the use of any cated before, herdsmen need to be trained because pasture management devices. As it uses visual currently most of them follow the animals rather estimates of the contribution of different pasture than guiding them to a given grazing area; that is components as a percentage, it cannot be used by il- why grazer and farmer conflicts frequently erupt. The literate farmers (as were many of the partner farmers principles of controlled rotational grazing need to be in TUSIP). However, in a similar situation in Northern shared with herdsmen under the FFS approach, as Guatemala, the method was applied successfully. proposed in the new project. In those farms where It should be noted that several of the groups there pastures are owned by families, a transitional change were from the indigenous population, so facilitators from free grazing to a fence-based rotational grazing adapted the session guidelines to local languages; system is foreseen. this would also be the case in the Gutah Hills. In the 8. The pasture pilot diagrams do not reflect water- Northern Guatemala cases, the strategy was to hold ing points, and their placement is usually the two participatory learning sessions with farmers. main limiting factor in such a system unless the The �rst focused on their perceptions of pasture plots are all so small that the one point is suf- degradation, the criteria they use to identify levels �cient. Figure 5.9 is more conducive to a cost- of degradation, and the measures they would take effective common watering point that provides to rehabilitate pastures. The second was a practi- continuous access rather than the arrange- cal session to evaluate pastures previously chosen ment in �gure 5.11, but the water access is not as representative of different levels of degradation illustrated. according to technicians’ standards; farmers ranked Establishing watering points is one of the interven- pastures in the same order that the technicians did tions promoted by TUSIP, even though that is not but using their own criteria. explicitly indicated in the paddock diagrams in the TUSIP did not have a learning session on when to report. There are two reasons behind the interven- move animals out of a paddock but discussed the tion: (1) to reduce water pollution and (2) to prevent use of estimated residual forage availability as the damage in the riparian forest when animals drink criterion based on the height of the residue of some directly from streams. TUSIP evaluated water quality indicator species (the edible ones), but these con- at 23 points where the Tugi population gets water, cepts need more elaboration with project staff and and found that 50 percent of the water sources were farmers. contaminated and hence unsuitable for drinking. A 10. In terms of grasses and legumes, ILRI seems to water distribution system using gravity was stra- be involved and have experience. In other parts tegically designed for paddocks and corrals where of Africa, they have tried Napier blended and animals could be maintained. intercropped with leguminous grasses with some 9. The pasture health measurements based on plant success. Is this being considered? Does it seem to species seem to be somewhat complicated for be a focus on Guatemala grass? herders or farmers to evaluate on a day-to-day TUSIP staff looked for forages to be used in the basis to make grazing decisions, based on experi- fodder banks, and Napier grass was one of the �rst ence we had elsewhere. Are there rotational choices, knowing there were some accessions na- grazing plans developed along with the fencing tive to Cameroon. At the time, it was necessary to that provide timing for rotation that includes �rst establish the fodder banks, and a reliable source open pastures? of a high-yielding accession could not be found in suf�cient amounts. That was the reason for starting INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON AP P E N D I X — S E L E CT COMME NT S F ROM P E E R RE VIEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH ORS 67 with Guatemala grass, a species already introduced of the project, what could be the methodology in the village. There was a long discussion about for this impact evaluation, and so on. which legume to introduce in the fodder bank, and As the reviewer comments, the report does not the �rst choice was Acacia angustissima, a fodder propose a methodology for evaluating the impacts. tree for which enough seeds had been produced To do so requires �rst considering the baseline by a group of farmers trained by ICRAF in a village scenario before the project started and the indica- about two and a half hours away from Tugi. The goal tors that would be used to measure the baseline. was to introduce the concept of grass and legume This would include the following: mixtures for fodder banks, but the components could Farmers in Tugi had local knowledge on the existing change based on the availability of seeds or plant- farming conditions, but they did not have practical ing materials. In fact, TUSIP’s contacts in ILRI were knowledge on how to rehabilitate degraded pas- asked to provide some seeds of best-bet options for tures or how to implement improved feeding tech- the prevalent agro-ecological conditions in Tugi, and nologies. One of the major impacts of TUSIP was those were initially planted in the tree nursery. In the changing farmers’ skills and knowledge to improve second phase of the project, the plan is to allocate management of the current systems by using the more resources for developing a wider collection FFS approach; this is a measurable outcome. of potential tree and shrub species using Central Farmers had the perception that pastures were America and African experiences. not producing properly because of the degradation 11. Have all of the capital investment costs described status, but there was no information on the state of been incorporated into the IRR calculations, in- degradation of those pastures or on the economic, cluding the cost of herbicide application? social, and environmental impacts. TUSIP evaluated Yes, all capital investments were included in the these factors, which are key for decision making. IRR calculations. The costs of herbicides and labor The baseline scenario showed that there was no required for their application were not included technology innovation in the project area; thus, the because the speci�c herbicide for controlling the project can be evaluated in terms of how many bracken fern was obtained late and tested only in farms implemented improved technologies. In small areas. Therefore, it was assumed that weed fact, the project document proposed work on �ve control was done by hand, in all rehabilitated pas- pilot farms, and the project staff, along with the tures, as there were good estimates of the labor farm operators, did indeed implement technology needs for that activity. innovations on all �ve farms. Tugi Village is a good example of an area characterized by subsistence III. COMMENTS BY WORLD BANK’S AFRICA systems and a very poor population; this project out- LIVESTOCK SPECIALIST lined the stages required to transition such an area into market-based production systems to ultimately 1. My major concern about this �nal report is that improve livelihoods: (1) training, (2) organization of it is very inputs-oriented. It describes well what farmers, (3) investment in improved technologies, has been done, trainings organized, technologies (4) development of markets, and (5) institutional ser- demonstrated, and so forth, but lists very few vices, such as those related to technology transfer. results. Again, I was not expecting the authors to give us detailed analysis of the outcomes of 2. Without this, I do not see how the document the project and how successful it was, given the can discuss replication potential and ful�ll short period, but the document should submit its speci�c objective of proposing a means to to us an in-depth discussion on how this project scale up the project to other communities. As could be assessed in terms of impact and could indicated in the economic feasibility of the pro- be considered as successful or not—what could posed interventions, the IRR and the changes be outcome indicators, how do we measure in net incomes are not necessarily excellent them, what would be target values for these in- without important subsidies. So one should dicators that would make the project successful, be careful before advocating for a scale-up of when to undertake an in-depth impact evaluation the initiative without a clear idea on how the medium-term impact of the project will be A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 68 AP P E NDIX — S ELEC T COMMENTS FROM PEER REV IEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH OR S assessed. This impact assessment will have to be (Fulani are producing milk if I remember correct- done in the future, and we should think of secur- ly) are often easier to monitor. Moreover, the eco- ing funds for this. nomic analysis must then be done based on the Experiences in Latin America and elsewhere have herd evolution using zootechnic models such as shown that lack of capital for initial investments in Lesnoff. The result is that the economic feasibility technologies is a major barrier for their adoption. described in the report is probably very optimis- However, studies on projects managed by the World tic, as producers do not easily sell their animals, Bank have shown that PES is an incentive that pro- so the income generated is not immediate. motes adoption of silvopastoral technologies. Other The tendency to keep as many animals as possible studies indicated that implementation of green credit is a common decision made by many farmers that schemes also resulted in greater adoption of these are not fully market oriented, not only in Africa, but technologies, so those experiences can be used to in Latin America and Asia as well, because herd size develop an incentive system for Tugi Village. It is pos- is a determinant of status. However, some sort of sible that there may have been some overestimation intensi�cation in livestock farms is needed for those of costs because of the small scale of the pilot proj- systems to contribute to improving the livelihood of ect; on a more commercial basis or a larger project, rural families. Moreover, keeping as many animals as costs might be reduced. possible, with no interventions to rehabilitate degrad- 3. (a). When reading the document, I was really ed pastures, only exacerbates the existing environ- questioning the productivity parameters used by mental problems. Regarding market opportunities, in the project. They might be good for Costa Rica’s the village where TUSIP was based, there is a very production systems, but are they adapted to the active cattle market that operates once a week, and agro-pastoral production systems of North West even though some animals are sold locally, most ani- Cameroon? I am not sure about this, and this mals are bought by middlemen who take animals to could be a reason why the baseline survey was larger markets elsewhere in the country (Bamenda, a failure in terms of collecting data on productiv- Yaoundé, and Douala) and even for export to Gabon, ity as described in the report. When looking at Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. Also, table 9.2, my �rst question was whether these there is some processing in the village (one to two parameters/indicators are measurable in the animals every week) of dry (smoked) meat to take Gutah Hills–speci�c context. For most of them, to the Central and Southern provinces of Cameroon. this is probably not the case, and working on live Therefore, demand is not a limiting factor. Trading weight gain in pastoral context is often dif�cult. conditions are not optimal in the local market, so The stocking rate is also something highly ques- TUSIP proposed some changes in the local market tionable and totally dependent of herd and pas- operation that should make cattle negotiations more ture management (the document recommends attractive to producers. TUSIP fully agrees that the use of a holistic approach, which is good, but resources are needed to better monitor changes in does not give any further details on it). Then, to dairy operations, especially as livestock farmers in calculate the bene�ts generated by the zootech- Tugi are interested in moving into dairy production. nic parameters chosen by the project, I believe However, this will take time because farmers need to that the authors considered that the production be trained on milk production and the current stock system is market oriented, with fattened animals of animals has very limited milk production potential. sold rapidly. This is absolutely not the case in The project started efforts to introduce crossbred these production systems (because of traditions animals to improve the milk production potential in and lack of infrastructures for it), where often, the area using the two local breeds (Red Fulani and the number of animals is of highest importance Guhdali) that, based on appearance and local knowl- for the producers and they prefer increasing the edge, seem to have the greatest milk production size of their herd when pasture is good than im- potential. Such pursuits will be further emphasized in mediately selling nonproductive animals (such the new TUSIP project. as males that have stopped growing). Intervals (b). The percent of reduction of live weight gain between births, fertility rates, milk production mentioned in the report, using the Costa Rica INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON AP P E N D I X — S E L E CT COMME NT S F ROM P E E R RE VIEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH ORS 69 model, seems risky to replicate in Cameroon con- 4. It is the same when comparing changes in net text. This parameter is highly dependent on other income between degraded versus rehabilitated factors (such as health and husbandry practices), pastures in �gures 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3. The authors but speci�cally of the breed. Local breeds are pointed a negative net income for degraded well adapted to Gutah Hills environment, and it pastures, but with the assumption that full vac- is unknown why these percentages are so high in cination, deworming, and mineral supplementa- Cameroon when the pasture condition is getting tion are happening. This is not the case in these worse. areas, where a very low input and output system It is assumed that this comment refers to the data is practiced. I am not sure that the net income of included in tables 9.2 and 9.3, with values generated this system would be negative. using the LIFE-SIM simulation model. It is correct The rationale used by the owners of small- and that the model has not been validated with data for medium-sized farms (who do not use credit and do Cameroonian breeds because information on growth not have records) to analyze the economics of their rate and milk production for the most common lo- farm operations is not the same as that applied in cal breeds (White Fulani, Red Mbororo/Fulani, and a traditional cost-bene�t analysis. Most farmers Guhdali) was not available and the project did not run in the Gutah Hills practice regular deworming and long enough to generate it. However, some clari�- mineral supplementation of their animals, although cations can be provided with respect to the model supplementation with common salt is not a practice used for the TUSIP scenarios. LIFE-SIM was initially regularly used. Vaccination is applied by almost all developed by the International Potato Center (CIP) farmers, as it is a government service. The cost of all using information from the Andean region of South three practices is minimal compared to other items, America and covered agro-ecological conditions even in these very low input and output systems. similar to the ones in the NWR of Cameroon. Later, Livestock farmers usually do not include the cost of in collaboration with ILRI, efforts were made to adapt labor and management when analyzing the econom- and test the model under the prevalent conditions in ics of their systems; these items are included in the Southeast Asia and Southwestern China. CATIE also analysis in the report and are probably the source collaborated in adapting and testing the model to the of the slightly negative net income values. Also, the conditions of Central America, and CIP tested the economic analysis presented in the report considered dairy subroutine of the model in Kenya. In all cases, only one part of the whole enterprise (live weight the predictions did not differ signi�cantly from direct gain for young males from 200 up to 400 or 500 kg), animal response measurements found in controlled not taking into account other components that con- experiments. Another advantage of LIFE-SIM is that tribute to farm and household economics, such as the information on feeds required by the model can reproductive ef�ciency and mortality in cattle, small be easily generated in developing countries. Most ruminants, and crop production, as well as income algorithms of the model are based on equations pro- generated off the farm. vided by the National Research Council of the United 5. Table 5.7 would be more informative if the States, which, along with the British ARC system, comparison was done at the same period of the are the most widely used equations by nutritionists, year. It is dif�cult to compare vegetation cover in not only in those countries, but in the tropics as well. degraded pastures at the end of the dry season LIFE-SIM’s estimated time required to reach market (March) with rehabilitated pastures assessed in weight was very close to the information provided the rainy season (June) and to conclude that the by local farmers, although those are rough estimates project was successful in increasing the propor- as Tugi farmers do not have any written records tion of edible grass and legumes. related to production of their animals. Finally, while TUSIP fully agrees with the comment on the effects the absolute estimates produced by the model might of season on pasture composition. However, even not be reproduced in reality, TUSIP has a high degree though the same methodology was not applied along of con�dence that the relative rankings of the model the whole rehabilitation process, visual estimates will be consistent with reality. were used to monitor the changes in botanical com- position and soil cover over the whole year and to A S O U T H - T O - S O U T H COL L ABORAT ION F OR T E CHNOLOGY TRA NSFER —TH E TUGI S ILV OPA STORA L PROJECT (TUSIP ) 70 AP P E NDIX — S ELEC T COMMENTS FROM PEER REV IEWER S A ND RES PONS ES BY A UTH OR S make decisions. For example, the presence of brack- Central American species, it was the only cut-and- en fern increased markedly after the rains started, carry grass already planted in Tugi Village. Other so two additional hand weedings were applied until sources of cut-and-carry grasses, such as Napier TUSIP staff felt con�dent that this noxious weed was grass, were sought, but the accessions found, mainly under control. A similar evaluation is proposed for the on roadsides, did not respond to expectations, and following dry season (early 2012) after the pastures staff could not ensure that they were genetically have been used for at least three grazing cycles, but uniform. For that reason, other grasses and legumes informal observations con�rm that to date, favorable deemed the best-bet options based on the prevalent changes in vegetation cover have occurred. agro-ecological conditions were obtained from 6. Is Guatemala Grass already present in the ILRI Forage Germplasm bank. However, the Cameroon? 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Akwi Memorial Foundation. Bamenda, Cameroon. TUSIP. CATIE/AMF, Bamenda, Cameroon. p. 13. Wambugu, C., Franzel, S., Cordero, J., and Stewart, J. 2006. Fodder Pezo, D. A. and Azah, C. H. 2010e. “Planting grass/legume fodder shrubs for dairy farmers in East Africa: Making extension deci- banks.� Extension Bulletin 03-10. TUSIP. CATIE/AMF, Bamenda, sions and putting them into practice. World Agro-forestry Centre Cameroon. p. 11. (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya; and Oxford Forestry Institute, Oxford, UK. p. 172. INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON A G R I C U L T U R E A N D R U R A L D E V E L O P M E N T This is a Joint Publication with: Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 USA Telephone: 202-477-1000 ARD AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Internet: www.worldbank.org/ard