Mutations of the cotton sector in north Cameroon
The peasants of north Cameroon are anxious about the beginning of the privatization of SODECOTON and the drop in cotton revenues. The Agricultural Institute of Research for Development, in collaboration with the Regional Centre for Research and Development of the Savannah in Central Africa, conducted a study (2002) to assess the perception of peasants concerning the constraints of the cotton sector and to identify their strategies as regards those constraints. This study is based on the farmers’ declarations and on a discussion workshop with the players in this sector. The results show that cotton is cultivated by the majority of peasants in north Cameroon. This product is practically impossible to circumvent. But the peasants appear unequally equipped to face the impending changes. Two groups may be distinguished: the first group is in a precarious situation and has adopted essentially “defensive” strategies of risk limitation. The second group is in a situation of development and capitalization and has chosen “offensive” strategies. The peasants also have established collective strategies through producer organizations. Discussions with the players have made it possible to identify organizational problems in the cotton sector upon which researchers and developers in this sector must focus.