Tarla Nfor | University of Dschang, Cameroon (original) (raw)

Papers by Tarla Nfor

Even though the WHO, the EPA and other regulatory bodies have recognized the effects of acute pes... more Even though the WHO, the EPA and other regulatory bodies have recognized the effects of acute pesticide poisoning little data exists on health effects after long-term low-dose exposures especially in Africa and Cameroon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pesticides on the hepatic functions of market gardeners in the Western Region of Cameroon by studying some biochemical parameters. Sixty six male market gardeners in Foumbot, Massangam, and Bantoum were interviewed on their health status, habits and pesticide use in agriculture, including the spray frequency, application method, and pesticide dosage. Thirty men with no history of pesticide exposure were recruited as control group. Thereafter, their blood samples were collected for assessment of hepatic function biomarkers (ALT, AST, and albumin). The results showed that 56 pesticides containing 25 active ingredients were currently used by market gardeners enrolled in our study and most of their symptoms (headache, fatigue, skin rashes, eye irritation, and nausea) were related to the use of these chemicals. Compared to the control subjects market gardeners' ALT levels (32.9 ± 7.19 UL-1 vs. 82.11 ± 35.40 UL-1; P < 0.001) and, AST levels (40.63 ± 6.52 UL-1 vs. 112.11 UL-1 ± 47.15 UL-1; P < 0.001) were significantly increased. These results suggest that liver function tests can be used as biomarkers to indicate toxicity before overt clinical signs occur. The market gardeners' chronic exposure to pesticides due to poor application measures could lead to hepatic function impairment. Further research on larger scale is needed to confirm these findings and to establish a mechanism of toxicity.

A pesticide is any agent used to kill or control a pest (insects, rodents, birds, weeds, fungi). ... more A pesticide is any agent used to kill or control a pest (insects, rodents, birds, weeds, fungi). Pesticides have contributed to the standards of living enjoyed by humankind and will continue to play a major role in food security, environmental and human health, economic growth and to an extent, human peace. Central African subregion is made up of six developing countries (Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and The Republic of Congo) where pesticide use is still in its infancy. This article reviews published articles written about central African Sub region, major projects and prospects of pesticides playing a major role in its development as they implement the green economy principles of green economy from now to 2035. Pesticide application in the control of insect-borne disease such as black fly and mosquitoes will be very important but care must be taken to preserve the environment. The management of pests and diseases in second generation agriculture will be advantageous if applicators are trained to limit pesticide exposure to man and his environment. The governments are identified to be at the centre of this system by regulating, enforcing and communicating issues on the judicious use of pesticides in agriculture (food security and quality assurance) and public health. By so doing, these chemicals will assist in making Central African subregion to become a green economy by 2035.

This study was carried out during April -September 2013 in the North West Region of Cameroon on t... more This study was carried out during April -September 2013 in the North West Region of Cameroon on the socio-economic analysis and adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs).One hundred and forty farmers were administered semi-structured questionnaires and the data were analysed using SPSS. Socio-economic analysis showed that majority of the sample size were female (50.70%), aged below 50 with an average of nine members per household. Majority of the respondents were Christians (82.60%) and had formal education with access to extension services (72.70%). Most of the farmers depended on household generated income mainly from farm activities. Most of the farm sizes were below 2ha indicating low scale production and low capacity to obtain loans. In the study area, maize was allocated over 60.00% of the farm lands. The level of adoption was found to be 74.30%, with 25.70% of the farmers cultivating both IMVs and local ones. Three IMVs were Manu et al.; AJAEES, 4(1): 58-66, 2015; Article no.AJAEES.2015.007 59 identified -Coca white, Kasai and ATP with the latter being the most widely cultivated. Chi Square test was used to analyze the determining factor of adoption of IMVs. Gender, level of education, access to extension services, access to credit/loans and possession of off-farm income were found to be the determinants meanwhile the other factors were not. The t-test was used to analyze the four pillars of food security as concerns produced maize in adopter and non-adopter households. The analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the level of yields and quantity sold. This study concluded that adopting improved maize seeds is beneficial to the farmers.

Heavy metals originating from the use of fertilizers and pesticides are toxic pollutants limit th... more Heavy metals originating from the use of fertilizers and pesticides are toxic pollutants limit the beneficial use of water for agricultural, domestic and industrial applications. Three vegetable production basins in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (Bafou, Foumbot and Santa) were surveyed from April 2012 to March 2013, to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn) in surface water. A total of 21 surface water samples were collected and transported to the laboratory where heavy metals were analyzed with a flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Analysis of variance was carried out to show differences in the heavy metal concentrations from the different basins using SPSS. Results showed that surface water was slightly acidic pH (6.2-7.0). Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu and Mn concentrations ranged between 0.002-0.042, 0.016-1.555, 0.001-0.200, 0.026-1.506 and 0.001-0.519 mg/L respectively. Highest mean concentrations of Cd (0.019 mg/L) and Cu (0.122 mg/L) were observed in Foumbot, Fe (0.420 mg/L) and Mn (0.054 mg/L) in Bafou and Pb (0.322) in Santa.

villages were involved in the study. Data for the study were collected with the help of structure... more villages were involved in the study. Data for the study were collected with the help of structured close questionnaires through purposive sampling and interview schedule. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results showed that the age group highly affected with HIV/AIDS was 15-45 years, which is the economically active population. There is a high level (97.3%) of awareness of HIV/AIDS among respondents. Risky behaviours in the study zone fuel up the spread of the pandemic that turn to be the number one problem of agricultural development. Increased efforts should be made on HIV/AIDS education by the government, NGOs and religious organizations to curb the pandemic.

Les arrondissements de Nkoteng et Lembé-Yezoum dans la région du centre du Cameroun sont victimes... more Les arrondissements de Nkoteng et Lembé-Yezoum dans la région du centre du Cameroun sont victimes des acquisitions des terres à grande échelle. Ces terres sont pour la plupart exploitées par une agro-industrie qui est la Société Sucrière du Cameroun (SOSUCAM) et des particuliers. L'objectif de cette étude est d'analyser l'influence de l'accaparement des terres et de la redevance foncière sur le développement agricole et avec pour objectifs spécifiques : identifier le rôle à jouer par toutes les parties prenantes dans le processus d'accaparement de terre, décrire le processus d'accaparement de terre et enfin d'analyser les impacts de l'accaparement des terres et de la redevance foncière sur le développement agricole. La méthode d'échantillonnage utilisée est le sondage par échantillonnage aléatoire et le sondage à boule de neige permet d'avoir les enquêtés qui sont victimes des concessions foncières. La taille de l'échantillon est de 115 personnes qui sont des chefs de familles, les maires et les chefs traditionnels et notables ; le questionnaire et le guide d'entretien ont permis d'avoir des informations concernant le phénomène. Il ressort que 84,9% sont des hommes et 62,5% sont des agriculteurs à plein temps. Les acteurs qui sont impliqués sont l'Etat, les riverains et les étrangers, ces résultats ont été confirmés par Cotula (2011). De même que processus d'accaparement est sous deux forme la première forme est la forme légale et la deuxième est celle de gré à gré. Enfin, l'impact de l'accaparement des terres et de la redevance foncière a une influence très importante sur le développement agricole. Ces informations ont été analysées et traitées par SPSS et Microsoft Excel. Il a été recommandé au gouvernement de revoir les termes du bail et de trouver les mesures d'accompagnements pour les riverains, aux investisseurs de respecter le cahier de charge et aux riverains de dénoncer toutes transactions illégales.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) plays an important role in the livelihood of small-scale resourcepoor ... more Taro (Colocasia esculenta) plays an important role in the livelihood of small-scale resourcepoor rural farmers in Cameroon. However, the crop was devastated by taro leaf blight (TLB) caused by Phytophthora colocasiae in 2010 leading to yield losses of up to 100 % (national average = 80 %) with an estimated loss of over 70 billion FCFA followed by food insecurity, persistent price hikes and changes in feeding habits. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation conducted surveys and wrote reports but no practical and sustainable management strategy was proposed. In this light, trials were conducted with a prepacked fungicide (copper (II) oxide and metalaxyl) at 7-, 14-, 21-and 28-day spray frequencies. Results showed that a 28-day spray regime could be selected based on high yields of 60.44 t/ha, yield increase of 74.06, net benefit of 8.27 million FCFA/ha and a rate of return of 13.78. In another trial, taro was sown in December (03 months earlier) followed by constant irrigation. Results gave yields of 61.81 t/ha and yield increase of 75.85 % were with corresponding net benefits of 12 million FCFA/ha and a rate of return of 11.29. In conclusion, fungicide application and early planting (03 months earlier) can be used for a sustainable TLB management. In future perspectives, further research in other agroecological zones and more active ingredients will also be useful.

In the last decades, Africa has experienced rapid economic growth with the advent of technology, ... more In the last decades, Africa has experienced rapid economic growth with the advent of technology, antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals. Given that the ultimate fate of economic growth is the human being, durable human development seeks to ally economic efficacy to social equity and conservation of the environment in order to provide an ever growing well-being.

Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technica... more Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technical services, but a new system of predatory exploitation of socio-economic resources in the form of cattle theft has emerged. This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of cattle theft on the socioeconomic development of the pastoralists of the North West Region of Cameroon. A sample of 294 pastoralists proportionately distributed based on the number of pastoralists in each Division (147 Fulani, 147 Non Fulani and 06 others) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive as well as inferential statistical methods were used to sort and analyze the data using SPSS software. This studies shows that approximately 1.3 billion FCFA of direct value of stolen animals in terms of meat equivalent and an extra 100 million FCFA as supplementary cost for the search of the stolen cattle from 2008 to 2012. Government should provide alternative sources of income and the formalization of the cattle herding profession

Banana is one of most important food crops that are consumed worldwide. Seven high yielding and d... more Banana is one of most important food crops that are consumed worldwide. Seven high yielding and disease-free varieties (Jaffa, Adi, Williams, Gal, Nandi, Asdia and Ofir) were obtained from tissue culture in Du roi (South Africa) and Rahan (Israel) laboratories. The responses of these varieties to black sigatoka caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis were evaluated in the nursery of C.D.C Ndongo Banana Plantation in Tiko, South West Region of Cameroon. A completely randomized design was used with 12 replicates. Data were collected on leaf emission rate (LER), number of days from unfurling of heart leaf to the formation of streaks (incubation period), number of days from streaks formation to spots formation (latency period), youngest leaf with infections (YLI), youngest leaf with spots (YLS) and percent disease severity at leaf number (LN) 2,3,4,5,6 and 7. The weekly leaf emission rate for banana varieties varied from 1.2 to 1.4 being higher for Adi and Ofir compared to Jaffa and Gal. Adi and Ofir had the longest incubation period of 28 and 25 days, respectively. A significant difference was obtained between varieties for latency period. Youngest leaf with infections (YLI) was obtained at LN 3 for susceptible varieties while Adi and Ofir with LN 4. Youngest leaf with spots (YLS) was obtained at LN 4 for susceptible varieties while for Adi and Ofir it was at LN 5. The highest percent disease severity (42%) was obtained for Gad and Jaffa at LN 7, while the lowest (10%) was obtained for Adi and Ofir at the same period. Two deleafing cycles and weekly incision of necrotic spots of the disease were performed on Jaffa, Gal, Williams, Nandi and Asdia while one deleafing cycle and bi-weekly incision of necrotic spots was done on Adi and Ofir. Implementation of the deleafing technology in the nursery resulted to reduction in ascospore and conidia production. This study suggests that effective deleafing in banana nursery can be an appropriate management method for black sigatoka disease.

The impact of fertilization on late blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) sev... more The impact of fertilization on late blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) severity and huckleberry (Solanum scabrum Mill.) yields were evaluated during the 2006 and 2007 planting seasons in Dschang, Cameroon. Varieties and fertilizer applications were assigned to main plots while fungicide application occupied sub-plots. Six huckleberry varieties were used with four levels of fertilization: unfertilized, mineral fertilizer, 10 and 20 t.ha -1 of poultry manure. Mineral fertilizer was applied twice; during the first week after transplanting and repeated after the second harvest. Late blight severity was evaluated weekly from the first foliar symptoms. Fresh shoots were harvested five times at two-weekly intervals and weighed. Late blight severity varied with variety and type/rate of fertilizer application. Late blight was highest on plots that received 20 (SAUDPC= 3.0 %), followed by 10 t.ha -1 (SAUDPC= 1.7 %) of poultry manure. No significant differences were observed between unfertilized plots and those that received mineral fertilizer (SAUDPC= 1.1 & 0.7 %, respectively). Maximum yield increase due to mineral fertilizer application was 6.14 t.ha -1 and 46.17 t.ha -1 for 10 and 20 t.ha -1 of poultry manure respectively. This study shows that late blight management becomes more important when huckleberry is grown with poultry manure application. The application of 20 t.ha -1 poultry manure is recommended while the use of mineral fertilizer alone is not advisable.

Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technica... more Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technical services, but a new system of predatory exploitation of socio-economic resources in the form of cattle theft has emerged. This study was conducted to elucidate the causes of cattle theft in the North West Region of Cameroon. A sample of 297 pastoralists proportionately distributed based on the number of pastoralists in each Division (147 Fulani, 147 Non Fulani and 06 others) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive as well as inferential statistical methods were used to sort and analyse the data. An increase in the number of herd-less Fulani pastoralists was identified as the main cause of cattle theft while the principal actors of cattle theft was a mixture of both the Fulani and Non Fulani. Government should train and employ herdless Fulanis to reduce cattle theft.

Taro is an important crop in Cameroon but yields of the crop has severely affected by pests and d... more Taro is an important crop in Cameroon but yields of the crop has severely affected by pests and diseases especially leaf blight. An economic evaluation of fungicide applications on taro blight was conducted in Dschang, Cameroon, during the 2012 cropping season. A split-plot design was used, with two factors; fungicide and cultivar, replicated three times. Whole plots were assigned to five fungicide spray schedules (7, 14, 21, 28-day, and non-treated) while sub-plots were assigned to two taro cultivars; the dark green petioles ("Ibo coco") cultivar and the light green petioles small leaves ("Ehkoueh'lah") cultivar. A fungicide, Plantomil 72 WP was applied at 3.33 kgha -1 . Blight severity was scored weekly in every sub-plot, and yields were obtained at harvest. Data was subjected to the analysis of variance. Standardized area under disease progress curve (SAUDPC) was high (p = 0.005) in control plots compared to sprayed plots of the cultivars. The high SAUDPC values were correlated with low yields (16.11 t/ha) in control plots of "Ibo coco" compared to high yields (60.44 to 62.11 t/ha) in sprayed plots. For "Ehkoueh'lah", yield differences between control and sprayed plots were not high, 33.11 tha -1 in the control compared to 46.83 to 49.06 tha -1 in sprayed plots. The highest yield increase of 74.06 and 32.51 % for "Ibo coco" and "Ehkoueh'lah", respectively was obtained from 7-day sprayed plots. Economic analysis revealed that a 28-day fungicide spray frequency had the highest rate of return, 13.78 and 6.63 and net benefits of 8.26 and 4.76 million FCFAha -1 for "Ibo coco" and "Ehkoueh'lah", respectively. Thus, taro leaf blight can be managed with monthly applications of fungicide.

Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technica... more Pastoralists have developed over the years coping strategies with the support of various technical services, but a new system of predatory exploitation of socio-economic resources in the form of cattle theft has emerged. This study was conducted to elucidate the causes of cattle theft in the North West Region of Cameroon. A sample of 297 pastoralists proportionately distributed based on the number of pastoralists in each Division (147 Fulani, 147 Non Fulani and 06 others) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive as well as inferential statistical methods were used to sort and analyse the data. An increase in the number of herd-less Fulani pastoralists was identified as the main cause of cattle theft while the principal actors of cattle theft was a mixture of both the Fulani and Non Fulani. Government should train and employ herdless Fulanis to reduce cattle theft.