L’activité d’achat de cacao et la question du développement socioéconomique dans l’arrondissement de Mvengue (1935-2017)

Abstract

The study on the marketing of cocoa and its impact on socio-economic development in the current Arrondissement of Mvengue from 1935 to 2017 is of great importance from the point of view of economic and social history. During the protectorate period (1884-1916), the Germans introduced cocoa farming to Kamerun. During this period of colonial invasion we witnessed changes in agricultural techniques, the imposition of new crops and a new socio-economic aspect throughout the new territory conquered by the Germans. Insignificant at the beginning, cocoa farming definitely took shape years later in a number of localities including Mvengue. Its popularization in this “Bene country” took place during the period of mandate (SDN) and trusteeship (UN) respectively administered by France and Great Britain. Beyond the cash crop itself, its production has led to economic activity with actors other than cocoa farmers. Indeed, through its production, cocoa farming has given rise to related economic activities around the purchase of beans. It is in this important economic activity that the problem of this research lies: what was the real contribution of the cocoa purchasing activity to the socio-economic development of Mvengue from 1935 to 2017? To respond to this central concern, our working method consisted of carrying out field surveys with those involved in this activity. By examining archival documents and exploiting first-hand sources (books, articles and newspapers), from these different sources, we collected information which was the subject of comparisons and analysis in accordance with methodological historical canons. From the summaries resulting from this work, it appears that, due to certain factors, the cocoa purchasing activity has not achieved the expected socio-economic development. Nevertheless, the activity has contributed in questionable proportions to the socio-economic development of the Mvengue district through the improvement of communication routes, the appearance of housing, the expansion of villages and the improvement of living family’s conditions.