Are non-industrial producers driving oil palm production in Cameroon?
Non-industrial producers are driving oil palm production in Cameroon. We analyze the drivers of oil palm production in Cameroon. Access to information and land tenure systems play a crucial role in farmer decision-making. Market orientation also matters in oil palm production.
What drives oil palm expansion in Cameroon?
Third, oil palm expansion in Cameroon is predominantly driven by non-industrial producers and coordinated around a burgeoning informal milling sector ( Ordway et al., 2019 ). Cameroon can thus be looked upon as a major region of growth when it comes to oil palm production and expansion in Africa.
Where does oil palm grow in Cameroon?
Cultivation of oil palm is more prevalent in the Southwest, South, and Littoral regions of Cameroon ( Li et al., 2015). In these regions, the expansion of oil palm is mostly carried out by non-industrial producers at the expense of secondary forests, with minimal expansion into pristine forests.
Does clearing forest increase palm oil production in southwest Cameroon?
We found that 73% of oil palm producers in Southwest Cameroon reported clearing forest to expand cultivation, based on a survey of 546 farms. The magnitude of expansion was explained by differences in palm oil milling strategies and supply chain integration.