Cacaoculture et amélioration des conditions de vie des populations dans la commune d’Ebolawa 2 cas de la localité de bityili (département de la mvila)

Abstract

According to the FAO (2021), 61 countries currently cultivate cocoa. Approximately 5 to 6 million farmers involved in this activity are predominantly smallholders. Practiced in tropical zones across Africa,cocoa cultivation plays a vital role in the well-being and development of the population.The Cameroonian economy heavily relies on agriculture, which engages over 70% of the active population and contributes at least 44.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Globally, with its increasing price, cocoa can no longer be disregarded by populations, unlike 30 years ago following the devaluation of the CFA Franc. It is within this context that the present study, titled "Cocoa Farming and the Improvement of Living Conditions for Populations in the Ebolowa 2 Commune: The Case of the Locality of Bityili (Mvila Department)," is situated. Populations are increasingly engaging in cocoa production primarily to meet their basic needs, including nutrition, health, and education. However, despite the increase in prices, many squander the income derived from this production. Consequently, our primary objective has been to demonstrate the extent to which cocoa farming can contribute to improving the living conditions of these populations. To achieve this, we conducted documentary research, oral surveys, and polls among the local population in question. These investigations enabled us to gather the necessary information for the completion of this work The findings of this study reveal that cocoa farming constitutes the primary source of income for numerous families in the Bityili locality.Nevertheless,92.30% of the local population believe that the surge in prices genuinely contributes to the improvement of their living conditions. Although 56.15% of the population does not allocate a portion of their income to the development of the locality, the remaining 44% dedicate a part of their annual income to community development to improve village infrastructure and services.To promote sound management of the revenues generated from this practice and to ensure the well-being of the populations, we will propose several strategies for the rational management of income derived from cocoa farming for the people of Bityili.