Analysis of Actors Involved in the Bamboo Value Chain and Strategies for the Development of the Bamboo Sector in the Menoua Division, West Region of Cameroon
Bamboo is an important non-timber forest product owing to its
multipurpose nature. In Cameroon, bamboo has always been neglected and seen as
worthless by many communities. However, in recent years, bamboo
has received renewed attention which has made many communities and different
stakeholders to gain interest in the resource. This study which was carried out
in the Menoua division, West region of Cameroon between February to July 2021
sought to identify and characterise the actors involved in the bamboo sector,
and assess the different strategies that could be employed to develop the
bamboo sector. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods in 6 sub-divisions
in Menoua division (Dschang, Santchou, Fongo Tongo, Fokoué, Penka Michel and
Nkong-Ni). For the selection of study sites, the criterion used was the
proximity of households to the area where the bamboo resource is found. Using
the simple random sampling method, 53 households were surveyed across the
Menoua division. Key informant and expert interviews were also conducted with
mayors, traditional chiefs, heads of forestry posts, heads of research
institutions/structures and craftsmen involved in the bamboo sector. Using
SPHINX software version 5, a survey form was designed. The data collected was
coded and analysed using EXCEL 2010 and SPSS. Map data was analysed using
ARCGIS version 2.18. Results indicated that there were two main groups of
actors: direct actors (collectors, collectors/transporters,
producers/collectors, producers/collectors/transporters, collectors/traders) and indirect actors (Municipal Councils, Decentralized
Services of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife—MINFOF, Development partners like INBAR,
Research Institutions like the Institute of Agricultural Research for
Development—IRAD, and academic
institutions like the University of Dschang). The direct actors are directly
linked to the bamboo value chain while the indirect actors are those whose
decisions influence the sector (e.g. MINFOF) or those who provide financial and
technical support (Municipal Councils, INBAR; IRAD, the University of Dschang).
The main strategies proposed by the local population for the development of the
bamboo sector were
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