Joel Sotamenou | University of Yaoundé II Cameroon (original) (raw)

Papers by Joel Sotamenou

Agricultural & Rural Studies Agricultural & Rural Studies, 2024

This study aimed to measure the effect of trade openness and agriculture on deforestation in Came... more This study aimed to measure the effect of trade openness and agriculture on deforestation in Cameroon from 1980 to 2021 by using a fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) approach. Data used are from the World Bank and FAO. The results obtained indicate that when trade openness increases, deforestation also increases, but when trade openness increases up to a certain threshold, deforestation decreases. This study also reveals that agriculture is one of the major causes of deforestation in Cameroon. Agricultural output and agricultural value-added both have a positive and significant impact on deforestation. There is an inverted curve relationship between economic growth and deforestation in Cameroon, this shows that the EKC is respected with deforestation as it is postulated that at higher levels of income, GDP turns to reduce deforestation meaning a unit change in GDP 2 leads to a reduction of deforestation. We recommend the implementation of concrete actions and strict environmental policies focused on a green economy, to control the exploitation of natural resources with particular attention to the sustainable exploitation of wood. Sustainable agricultural practices should also be implemented, as well as more suitable liberal trade policies.

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2024

Climate change is expected to have differential impacts on different zones. In this study, we emp... more Climate change is expected to have differential impacts on different zones. In this study, we employed the Ricardian technique, estimated through ordinary least squares (OLS) to assess the impact of climate change on farmers' revenue. We use survey data from two distinct agroecological zones in Cameroon. Our results show that rainfall is the main climatic variable affecting farmers' revenue. The results are statistically different for the two agroecological zones. While rainfall in the dry season affects revenue in the western highland zone. No climatic variable seems to affect farm revenue in the bimodal forest zone. These results suggest that the abundance of forest in the bimodal zone maybe be shielding the zone from the effects of climate change. We therefore recommend that farmers employ water harvesting and low-cost irrigation methods to cope with changes in rainfall pattern especially in extended dry seasons. Facilitating farmers' access to climate information particularly with respect to the onset and cessation of rains will improve the planning of farm operations.

Schéma simplifié du problème de recherche iii L'université n'entend donner aucune approbation ou ... more Schéma simplifié du problème de recherche iii L'université n'entend donner aucune approbation ou improbation aux opinions émises dans cette thèse. Celles-ci doivent être considérées comme étant propres à leurs auteurs. iv RESUME L'urbanisation et le développement économique ont généralement pour corollaire une augmentation de la production des déchets par habitant, et un accroissement des besoins alimentaires. Il devient donc impératif de mettre en place, surtout dans les villes africaines, un système de gestion des déchets solides qui pourrait favoriser le développement de l'agriculture urbaine et périurbaine. La présente thèse a pour objectif d'analyser les limites de l'organisation du service public de gestion des déchets solides à Yaoundé, d'une part, et d'appréhender la pertinence du compostage dans un système alternatif de gestion des déchets solides au Cameroun, d'autre part. Il ressort globalement de nos analyses que le service public de gestion des déchets solides à Yaoundé est sous-performant. Soucieux de prendre en compte les préoccupations de développement socio-économique et environnemental de la ville de Yaoundé, nous avons proposé un système alternatif de gestion des déchets solides qui comprend les opérations de précollecte, de compostage, de collecte et de transport, d'enfouissement, de traitement des lixiviats et de biogaz. De par la richesse en matières organiques des déchets solides produits au Cameroun, il apparaît rapidement que le compostage a un rôle majeur à jouer dans notre dispositif alternatif de gestion des déchets solides. L'analyse physico-chimique des produits organiques issus des déchets solides, nous a permis de constater qu'ils ont un réel potentiel pour améliorer le statut organique des sols. Cependant, il ne suffit pas de produire les déchets organiques de qualité mais il faut que ceux-ci soient utilisés par les agriculteurs. L'estimation de deux modèles économétriques (Logit Binomial et Logit Ordonné) portant sur 268 exploitants agricoles en zone urbaine et périurbaine montre que plusieurs variables socioéconomiques et techniques, dont la distance qui sépare le domicile d'un exploitant de sa parcelle, influencent l'utilisation des déchets organiques au Cameroun.

Urban poverty, increases in food demand, land pressures, pollution resulting from solid waste gen... more Urban poverty, increases in food demand, land pressures, pollution resulting from solid waste generation and from mineral fertilizers use in urban and peri-urban agriculture, are becoming real issues in agriculture in Cameroon, and there is a growing need for organic fertilizers that result from solid waste recycling. Urban and peri-urban agriculture are potential regular users of large quantities of household wastes and compost; but these organic fertilizers are indeed scarcely used. This study proposes using a binomial Logit model on the one hand, to identify factors to encourage using compost in the urban and peri-urban lowlands in Cameroon, and on the other hand, to highlight the effects of these factors on different levels of fertilization using an ordered Logit model. Using a representative sample of 288 farmers, it was found that 41% of farmers use mixed compost and mineral fertilizer, 22% of them use mineral fertilizers exclusively, and 15% use compost exclusively. However, 23% of the farmers in Cameroon do not use any fertilizers. The binomial Logit model estimations show that variables like membership in farmers' cooperatives, land property rights, food cultivation, low levels of farm income and the distance between farmers' dwellings and their farms have an effect on whether compost is used in urban and peri-urban areas in Cameroon. In addition, the ordered Logit model estimation shows that the variables like land-property rights, food cultivation, the available chemical input budget and the distance between dwellings and farms explains fertilization at all levels. In light of these results, a participative solid waste management plan that encourages local composting in the lowlands would help to reduce pollution resulting from solid wastes while promoting the development of the urban and peri-urban urban agriculture. INTRODUCTION A large number of studies agree on the fact that the generation of solid waste is positively linked with urbanisation and economic development (

Cameroon faces the same challenges as many other developing countries in terms of poor infrastruc... more Cameroon faces the same challenges as many other developing countries in terms of poor infrastructures, high population growth, high city growth, high prevalence of the informal sector, and poor public awareness on safe domestic waste management and recycling techniques. Our study revealed that distances and lack of proper infrastructure have a major impact on waste collection. Garbage bins are systematically mentioned as being the primary infrastructure need for inhabitants of all quarters and for all standard levels. The number of garbage bins should be increased and their positioning re-evaluated according to the availability of paved roads and also to the population and type of housing. Recycling should also be developed in Yaoundé, in order to reduce the quantities of pure waste and promote ecological intensification in agriculture. Public awareness is needed on domestic waste management, urban sanitation and recycling, but this may be useless if households do not have any support from the municipalities or from the local operator. Additional research is needed on detailed waste composition, household waste practice profiles, the quality and safety of community made compost, as well as on soil fertility in urban and peri-urban areas.

The increased importance of urban agriculture in developing countries suggests reconsidering some... more The increased importance of urban agriculture in developing countries suggests reconsidering some innovation adoption opportunities and challenges, particularly soil fertility inputs. In sub-Saharan Africa, urban horticulture uses a high level of soil inputs like inorganic fertilizers, while local composts are far less common. Yet, municipal solid wastes provide high quantity of organic matter, a major component of compost. Our study aimed to determine if urban horticulture in sub-Saharan towns can provide incentives for compost adoption among farmers. To this end, we surveyed 242 farmers in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon in the Central Province, and in Bafoussam, a city in the West Province. We used an Ordered Logit Model to test four soil input modalities adopted by farmers and ranging from no soil inputs, composts only, composts and inorganic fertilizers, and inorganic fertilizers only. Our results revealed that 36% of farmers adopt an exclusive or mixed use of compost. Inorganic fertilizer expenditures, vegetable production, land ownership, and land distance simultaneously and significantly influence the four soil input alternatives. Urban horticulture provides the prerequisites for compost adoption in sub-Saharan Africa. We suggest several recommendations for implementation of a waste recycling commodity chain dedicated to agriculture.

Ce rapport de recherche a bénéficié d'un appui financier du Fonds de Recherche sur le Climat d'In... more Ce rapport de recherche a bénéficié d'un appui financier du Fonds de Recherche sur le Climat d'Investissement et l'Environnement des Affaires (CIEA), une initiative conjointe entre TrustAfrica et le CRDI. C'est un document de travail diffusé pour discussions et commentaires. Les conclusions et recommandations sont celles de (s) l'auteur (s), et ne reflètent pas nécessairement les points de vue du Secrétariat du FR-CIEA, de TrustAfrica ou du CRDI

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright a b s t r a c t This paper provides an overview of the state of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé, and suggests some possible solutions for its improvement. The institutional, financial, and physical aspects of MSW management, as well as the livelihoods of the population, were analyzed. Our study revealed that distances and lack of infrastructure have a major impact on waste collection. Garbage bins are systematically mentioned as the primary infrastructure needed by the population in all quarters, whether it be a high or low standard community. The construction of transfer stations and the installation of garbage bins are suggested as a solution to reduce distances between households and garbage bins, thus improving waste collection vehicle accessibility. Transfer stations and garbage bins would enable the official waste collection company to expand its range of services and significantly improve waste collection rates. Several transfer stations have already been set up by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs), but they require technical, institutional and funding support. Research is needed on the quality and safety of community-made compost, as well as on soil fertility in urban and peri-urban areas. Most of the stakeholders, municipalities, the official waste collection company and households acknowledge the need for better monitoring and regulation of MSW management. The urban community of Yaoundé also needs to maintain its support of MSW management and promote the sustainability of NGOs and CBOs operating in underserved areas not yet covered by adequate infrastructures. A major opportunity for implementation of such waste policy is the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) program dedicated to urban planning and good governance.

La REVUE CEDRES-ETUDES publie, semestriellement, en français et en anglais après évaluation, les ... more La REVUE CEDRES-ETUDES publie, semestriellement, en français et en anglais après évaluation, les résultats de différents travaux de recherche sous forme d'articles portant principalement sur des problèmes de nature économique, sociale et environnementale.

— Le présent article s'interroge sur l'opportunité des opérations de récupération et de recyclage... more — Le présent article s'interroge sur l'opportunité des opérations de récupération et de recyclage des déchets ménagers dans les bas-fonds de Yaoundé. Il s'agit d'identifier les déterminants de l'utilisation des déchets ménagers récupérés et recyclés (DMRR) afin de proposer un système de gestion des déchets ménagers qui soit compatible avec les préoccupations de développement de l'agriculture urbaine et périurbaine. Les données ont été obtenues à partir d'une enquête menée entre août et septembre 2005 dans trois bas-fonds de Yaoundé (Nkolondom, Etoug-Ebé et Ekozoa). Les résultats indiquent que le type de culture pratiquée, l'utilisation des déchets animaux recyclés, le niveau d'instruction et la surface exploitée influencent positivement la décision d'utiliser les DMRR, tandis que l'âge de l'exploitant et la distance séparant le domicile de l'exploitant de sa parcelle exploitée l'influencent négativement. L'assainissement des bas-fonds et la promotion de l'agriculture urbaine et périurbaine passe donc par la construction des centres de regroupement qui semblent alors être le maillon fort de la relation déchets ménagers – agriculture urbaine et périurbaine dans la ville de Yaoundé ; car ils facilitent les opérations de récupération et de recyclage des déchets ménagers et donc mettent facilement et à moindre coût du compost à la disposition des agriculteurs périurbains. Abstract — The determinants of re-use and valorisation of domestic waste in the swamping areas of Yaoundé in Cameroon. he present article questions the opportunity of re-use and valorisation of domestic waste in the swamp areas of Yaoundé. For this purpose, we identified the determinants of their use in the swamp areas of Nkolondom, Etoug-Ebé and Ekozoa in order to form a domestic waste strategy among households, which matches with the urban and semi-urban agricultural development preoccupation. Data were obtained between August and September 2005. Results show that the type of crop, use of animal waste, the educational level of farmers and land size have a positive effect on the decision to recover and valorise domestic waste in the swamp areas of Yaoundé. On the other hand, the age of farmers and the distance between their house and their farm have a negative effect. In fact, the closer the farmers live to their farm, the less they use waste. To promote good management of domestic waste and the expansion of urban and semi – urban agriculture in the swamp areas, the implementation of " regrouping centers " of domestic waste seems to be a strategic solution. The regrouping centers of domestic waste facilitate the re-use and valorisation of domestic waste and then reduce the cost of compost and vulgarise it.

RESUME Les changements climatiques dégradent plusieurs secteurs de l'économie parmi lesquelles l'... more RESUME Les changements climatiques dégradent plusieurs secteurs de l'économie parmi lesquelles l'agriculture. Comme dans bien de pays au Sud du Sahara, l'agriculture est le principal secteur de l'économie. Au Cameroun, elle contribue à plus de 35 % à la richesse nationale. Tout comme le reste du pays, la région du Sud fait de plus en plus face aux perturbations climatiques ; qui à court terme peuvent modifier le calendrier cultural et à long terme, risquent d'affecter sa production vivrière. Dans un tel contexte, cet article a pour objectif d'évaluer la sensibilité de la production vivrière du Sud-Cameroun face aux variables climatiques que sont la température et les précipitations. A partir d'une approche par les données de panel, il ressort clairement de notre étude que la production vivrière, notamment, le manioc et la banane plantain, est dépendante des facteurs climatiques fluctuants. En effet, la production de manioc et de banane/plantain est négativement influencée par les niveaux élevés de températures et de précipitations. ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL ON FOODSTUFF PRODUCTION OF SOUTHERN CAMEROON Climate Change degrades several sectors of the economy including agriculture. As in many countries in Africa South of the Sahara, agriculture is the main sector of the economy in Cameroon (over 35 % of GDP). Like in all the ten regions of the country, the Southern region of Cameroon is increasingly to climatic stress, which in the short-term can modifies crop calendar and in the long term, may affect its foodstuff (cassava and plantains) production. In this context, this paper aims to assess the sensitivity of foodstuff production in Southern Cameroon face climate variables such as rainfall and temperature. From an approach based on panel data, it is clear from our study that the foodstuff production, including cassava and plantain, is dependent on the fluctuating climatic factors. Indeed, the production of cassava and banana/plantain is negatively influenced by high levels of rainfall and temperature. Agronomie Africaine Numéro spécial (6) sur les changements climatiques : 23-32 (2013) 24 J. SOTAMENOU et J. SALEU FEUMENI

This paper suggests policy actions for safe urban and peri-urban agriculture and domestic waste r... more This paper suggests policy actions for safe urban and peri-urban agriculture and domestic waste recycling in urban lowland areas of Africa, in particular, in lowland areas of the capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé. We identify the explanatory variables of recycling domestic waste and their use in three selected lowland areas. Data were collected between August and September 2005 among 126 farmers. Results show that the factors contributing to the adoption of recycled fresh and decomposed kitchen waste are: vegetable production, the distance between the house and its crop field and the use of livestock waste. The factors contributing to the adoption of recycled livestock wastes are the age of the farmers, the distance between the house and its crop field, the educational level of farmers and land size. Young farmers are more likely to adopt recycled livestock wastes, and short distances between houses and crop fields are more likely to contribute to the adoption of both recycled kitchen waste and recycled livestock wastes. In this context, the implementation of transfer stations for domestic waste, inside or next to lowland areas, appears to be an adequate solution of transport and sanitary constraints faced both by farmers and municipalities in Africa.

This paper aims to evaluate the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by managers of ... more This paper aims to evaluate the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by managers of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Cameroon. More specifically it aims to analyse the ecological behaviour of managers of SMEs in Cameroon and identify the determinants of the adoption of environmental dimension of CSR (e-CSR) measures in SMEs. Evidence from our analyses points the fact that the environmental protection is not yet a priority for managers of SMEs in Cameroon. There are several ways to increase the practice of e-CSR among SMEs managers, including the presence of an in-house department in charge of the environment, conducting environmental impact studies, and acquiring "clean equipment".

Agricultural & Rural Studies Agricultural & Rural Studies, 2024

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2024