Agroforestry Systems 5, 463-474 (1987)

© Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht Printed in the Netherlands 463

The Bamenda model. Development of a sustainable land-use

system in the highlands of West Cameroon

D I E T E R P R I N Z 1 and F R A N Z R A U C H 2
~Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crop Science, University of Goettingen, Grisebachstr.6,
D-3400 Goettingen, FRG
2GTZ Project "Promotion of Adapted Farming Systems on the Basis of Draught Animal
Utilization in the North-West Province of Cameroon', P.O. Box 558, Bamenda, Cameroon

Key words: farming system, draught oxen, tree integration, soil fertility, energy balance

Abstract. Since 1980in the western highlands of Cameroon, on the Bamenda plateau, the so-called
Bamenda model has been developed. This model is an attempt to build up, essentially with local
resources, an ecologicallystable and economicallyattractive land use system. Key elements are the
introduction of draught oxen, the implementation of integrated plant nutrition systems, erosion
control with contour bunds, avoidance of soil-turning plowing and, last not least, the integration
of trees and bushes into the farming system.
The Bamenda model uses the autochthonous experiences of the population, leads to the integra-
tion of the male population into the food production and alleviates the work load through the
emphasis on animal traction.

Introduction

The city of Bamenda, which is located in a wide valley at an altitude of 1,450

metres above sea level, is the administrative centre of Cameroon's North-West
Province. With its population of approximately 70,000 inhabitants, it is also the
economic centre of this region, which borders on Nigeria.
The characteristic vegetation found in this highland is that of a savanna, or
grasslands, that pushed back the forest generations ago as a result of the
activities and interference of man. As in the case of many tropical highlands, the
Bamenda plateau is relatively densely populated. The population density in the
areas surrounding Bamenda (as in the vicinity of the other small cities in the
province) is approximately 200 to 300 inhabitants per square kilometre. How-
ever, a population of about 100 inhabitants per square kilometre is more typical
for most of the agricultural regions in the province. The annual population
growth amounting to 3 % causes continual pressure on the land. The cropping
periods have been prolonged, the periods in which the land is left fallow have
been reduced and steeper areas are being used for c r o p p i n g - - a development
that can be observed in many parts of the tropics. A reduction in soil fertility
and increases in soil erosion will be inevitable unless it is possible to develop
sustainable agricultural systems suited to the region that will allow semiper-
manent or permanent cultivation of the land.
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Regional conditions

The climate in the Bamenda highlands is strongly influenced by a rainy season

that lasts--on the average--for seven months with an annual precipitation
between 1,300 and 2,300 mm. In accordance with the existing altitudes varying
between 1,000 and 2,300 metres--Mount Oku is 3,000 metres--the average
temperatures differ between 24° in the lower and 16 °C in the higher regions.
The chemical and physical properties of the soil vary greatly. The volcanic soil
of more recent date is, in general, more fertile and thus better suited to agricul-
tural purposes than the already heavily weathered soils of older origin. The
humus content depends largely on the altitude. The pH value ranges from 4.0
to 5.8. Hydromorphic soil is frequently utilized for cropping lowland rice--
especially in the Ndop Valley area.

Traditional cultivation in the region

Next to the seminomadic pastoral tribes (Fulani) which immigrated from

Nigeria during the course of this century, the agriculturally based Bantu tribes
make up the largest section of the population. In the past (and in some cases still
today), labour was divided among the Bantu according to sex: all the tasks
involved in food production were carried out almost exclusively by the women
the men only helping when new fields had to be cleared as well as during the
harvest. Crops were grown on mounds that were cultivated according to old
tradition dating back hundreds of years. (Figure 1). The men contributed their
share by hunting, fishing, collecting fruit, a n d - - l a s t but not least--producing
'mimbo' (wine made from the raffia palm). Only after cash crops such as coffee
were introduced the men eventually became more integrated into the agricul-
tural production [5].

The project

German engagement in the agricultural development of Cameroon's North-

West Province dates back nearly 20 years. Negative experiences with higher
levels of technology led in 1975 to the introduction of a draught oxen pro-
gramme that, beginning in Wum, expanded step by step until it covered the
whole province [2]. The project is being carried out by the 'Wum Area Develop-
ment Authority' (WADA) and the 'German Agency for Technical Cooperation'
(GTZ). Since introducing draught animals as an isolated measure led in this
case, as well as in other projects, to problems, priority has been given since about
1980 to the development of adapted farming systems. The project discussed in
this article was given the title 'Promotion of adapted farming systems on the
basis of draught animal utilization'.
Within the framework of this project, 1½ to 2 years old bulls are bought by