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.
How much palm oil is produced in Cameroon?
Production of palm oil in Cameroon is distributed across three plantation types or scales: Agro-industrial plantations (58,860 ha producing 120,000 tons); Supervised smallholder plantations (35,000 ha producing 30,000 tons), and Independent smallholdings (occupying an estimated 100,000 ha producing approximately 80,000 tons of palm oil4).
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.
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.