Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to
Climate Change Effects and Food Security inCentral Africa: Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic
WORKING PAPER SERIES No. 79

ATPS (2013): Multi-temporal threshold algorithm in forest fire detection using MSG satellite: The case of Zimbabwe. ATPS Working Paper No. 76

1

ATPS (2013): Multi-temporal threshold algorithm in forest fire detection using MSG satellite: The case of Zimbabwe. ATPS Working Paper No. 76

2Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to
Climate Change Effects and Food Security inCentral Africa: Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic

Musongong née Siri Bella Ngoh
(Principal Investigator)
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development
South West Region
Cameroon.
Mafany George Teke
Regional Centre for Research and Innovation
South West Region
Cameroon
Ndeso Sylvevster Atanga
Department of Nursing
Faculty of Health Science
Cameroon

ATPS (2013): Multi-temporal threshold algorithm in forest fire detection using MSG satellite: The case of Zimbabwe. ATPS Working Paper No. 76

3This paper should be cited as:
African Technology Policy Studies Network, ATPS 2013: Agricultural Innovations andAdaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa: Case of
Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central Africa Republic [Musongong née Siri Bella Ngoh,
Mafany George Teke, Ndeso Sylvevster Atanga], ATPS WORKING PAPER No. 79© 2013Published by the African Technology Policy Studies Network

ISBN: 978-9966-030-63-4

ATPS (2013): Multi-temporal threshold algorithm in forest fire detection using MSG satellite: The case of Zimbabwe. ATPS Working Paper No. 76

4

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements						

6

1Introduction						

7

2Literature Review						

8

3Methodology						

10

4Results and Discussion					

12

5Conclusion						

34

6.

Recommendation

34

References							

35Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central Africa
Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

5

Acknowledgement
This report was produced as part of the implementation of the African Technology Policy
Studies Network (ATPS) Phase VI Strategic Plan, 2008 – 2012 funded by ATPS Donors
including theMinisterie van Buitenlandse Zaken (DGIS) the Netherlands and the Rockefeller
Foundation. The authors hereby thank the ATPS for the financial and technical support during
the implementation of the program. The Authors specially thank Prof. Kevin Chika Urama,
the ATPS Executive Director for his visionary leadership as Program Director; Prof. Atieno
Ndede-Amadi, Program Coordinator; Dr. Nicholas Ozor, Senior Research Officer, ATPS;
Mr. Ernest Nti Acheampong, ATPS Research Officer and the ATPS Team for the technicalsupport during the research process.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central Africa
Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

61. Introduction
Climate change is increasingly altering ecosystems which are the foundations of agricultural
productivity worldwide. This has brought uncertainties in the use of farm inputs as well as foodsecurity. Challinor et al. (2009) noted that uncertainties in regional crop production are not
only related to biophysical data, but rather to socio-economic and crop management factors
which affects food security. Africa’s economy is predominantly rural based with agriculture(farming, livestock, forestry and unconventional farming methods) accounting for about 40%of the GDP (FAO, 2008). A greater proportion of Africa’s population strives on agriculture. In
Africa, agricultural productivity greatly depends on precipitation and natural conditions of theenvironment.
Central Africa lies between longitude 9o _ 31o E and latitude 9o to 24o N and includes
Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. It lies in the intertropical zone with an Equatorial type of climate. Despite its location, climatic conditions are
unevenly distributed. These variations are as a result of uneven rate of precipitation, varying
temperatures and altitudes that give rise to different ecological zones which to a great extent
are affected by the incidence of climate change. According to Sigha and Mafany (2008),
rainfall patterns in Cameroon on which local agricultural practices rely are inconsistent;
resulting in crop failure, post harvest losses, food insufficiency and diseases in many partsof the country. The people of Central Africa cannot relocate because of the perils of climatechange so they have to confront it by evolving innovative adaptation strategies to mitigate
and cope with the climatic effects.
The main thrust of this works is therefore to identify, evaluate and document innovative
adaptation strategies and their effectiveness in coping with climate change effects by
answering the following questions:• What is climate change?
• What is the perception of the local people towards climate change?
• What are they doing about it?
• What innovative agricultural practices are they evolving to cope with climate change?
• How good and effective are these indigenous local practices/innovations?
• How best can we exploit these local innovations for the development of an effective
agricultural extension package that can cope with climate change?
Objectives
The main objective of this study is to identify agricultural innovations and adaptations forclimate change effects and food security in Central Africa.
Specifically, the study set to:
1. Evaluate climate change perception, and identify on a general scale emerging indigenous
agricultural innovations in the study area.
2. Evaluate indigenous agricultural innovation and good practices suitable for climatechange adaptation that will effectively sustain food security in Central Africa.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

72. Literature Review
Africa is one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change impacts (WHO, 2001). Several
efforts towards the estimation of crop production for regions in temperate, sub-tropical andtropical climate zones have been made recently in the framework of regional planning, climate impact adaptation measures and food security studies (Lal et al., 1993; Soler et al.,2007; Hartkamp et al., 2004; Garcia et al., 2006; Sultan et al., 2005; Liu et al., 2007). This
has led to holistic management practices in both temperate and tropical regions to improve
productivity levels while reducing environmental impacts resulting from climate change (Adams, 1999; Savory and Butterfield, 1999). The process of transferring agricultural innovations across agro-ecological and climatic zones is often subject to agronomic constraints(Lybbert and Sumner, 2010). These constraints are mainly related to precipitation variations
and the progressive impoverishment of arable land/soils.
According to MINADER (2008) factors that commonly impede agricultural development
include: regular soil dryness in certain parts, flooding during heavy rains, poor nature offarm to market roads, the use of rudimentary agricultural tools and the high cost of fertilizers.
Reduction of pasture land due to expansion of settlement and farmlands, agro-pastoral(grazers-farmers) conflicts are equally emerging issues of concern. A major challenge thathas a cross-cutting effect on all types of agricultural production in Central Africa is water
scarcity (Sigha and Mafany, 2008). Climate change is the main reason for this shortage. Thisis very obvious in the Lake Chad basin where in less than three decades the surface area ofwater in the lake has reduced to about one tenth its original volume. This is a glaring exampleof how climate change is adversely affecting agricultural production.
Beside the unabated list of anthropogenic activities that continue to exert a potential
pressure on the earth’s limited resources and environmental services on this part of the
globe, population increase is an emerging challenge to the African continent in the phase ofclimate change impacts (Katerere et al. 2009). According to Manyong et al. (1996), African
researchers and their partners have as a duty to source appropriate innovative strategies in
the areas of agricultural and indigenous practices that can help the people of the continent toadapt and cope with the exigencies of climate change.
For 40 years now, the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
has been a strong force to developing countries in the area of agricultural innovation (Lybbertand Sumner, 2010). CGIAR has been active in the identification and harnessing of indigenousand emerging agricultural technologies to enable developing countries adapt their emerging
agricultural systems to a changing climate. These innovative paths will undoubtedly beachieved through the development and vulgarization of appropriate technology and services
from the bench of research that can convert Africans’ vulnerability to appropriate resilience,adequate adaptations and effective/efficient copping driving forces (Manyong et al. 1996).
In Central Africa, less than 28.9% of arable land is actually cultivated. Analyses of thecultivated crop areas show some disparity between agricultural zones. Over 30% of therural population in this region derive their livelihoods from the livestock sector and globally
represents 16% of the agricultural sector. The low contribution of the livestock production to
the agricultural GDP is, partially, due to the prevailing production system which, for cattle (thedominant livestock species), is nomadism and transhumance.
Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

8Smallholders, using simple techniques account for more than two-thirds of all agricultural
production in Central Africa. State farms (which are mostly found in Cameroon) are mainly
engaged with export crops. Subsistence food crops (sorghum, maize, rice, millet, andcassava), are mainly grown in the grassland northern parts of Cameroon and CAR. Taro,yams, cassava, rice, banana, plantain, maize, potatoes, roots and tubers, avocado, beans,and okra, are grown in the forested southern parts and Equatorial Guinea and are tradedlargely outside the cash economy. Cash crops (palm kernels, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rubber,banana, tea, coffee, palm oil and sugar cane), are largely grown in the southern parts of
Cameroon, while cotton and groundnuts are grown in the north of Cameroon and CAR (IITA,
1992).
The dominant farming practice in the forest zones of Central Africa is the bush fallow pattern.
This involves forest clearing and crop cultivation for 1 to 3 years after which land is left fallow
over long periods to restore soil fertility. As the region’s population rises, the fallow period isshortening. Mixed cropping, with as many as 10 crops planted together, or sequentially in asingle field, is the norm, especially in the forest areas. This system supplies a nutritionallyvaried diet, as different crops mature successively over the year (IITA, 1992).
According to McCown (2002), innovative strategies in Central Africa, including decision
support systems, which help make agricultural science more accessible, adaptive and usefulfor farmers, are carried out mainly by research institutions. Institute de Recherché Agricole
et de Development (IRAD) in Cameroon for example has proposed intercropping techniques
especially between some leguminous crops and cotton as a means of improving soil quality
during short fallow periods as well as increasing forage production (Olina et al, 1998). Under
this scheme, farmers are encouraged to adopt this technique especially as it is less labour
intensive. However it requires regular rainfall which as a result of climatic changes has been
erratic. Some techniques tested by IRAD are geared towards shortening and improving on
the fallow period between cropping seasons. Genetically improved planting materials, newplant spacing and density are also being experimented. As a result of the enormous costs
involved in these practices, local communities within their premise have been evolving local
strategies for survival. Irrespective of the local nature of these evolved strategies by local
farmers, it is important to identify on a general scale, evaluate the ones with good practices
for climate change adaptations and document them for eventual vulgarization in the subregion at large.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

93. Methodology
3.1 Study Area
The area of study covers the three Central African countries of Cameroon (CAM), Equatorial
Guinea (EG) and the Central African Republic (CAR). The population of the three countries
totals about 28 million inhabitants and is unevenly distributed among the three countries.
The Central African Region has a tropical climate - humid in the south but increasingly
dry towards the north. In the coastal areas, the average annual rainfall is about 4,060 mm
while on the slopes of Cameroon Mountain and other peaks like Mt Bioko, rainfall is almost
constant. In the semiarid northwest, annual rainfall measures about 380 mm. A dry season in
the north lasts from October to April. The average temperature in the south is 25oC, 21oC on
the plateau and 32oC in the north. The study area has ten agro-ecological zones with marked
ecological diversity (IRAD, 2008). Its diversity is noticed in its climate, vegetation and soils.
3.2 Sampling
Sampling was done in the agro-ecological zones of the various countries. These zones show
distinct ecological diversity with Cameroon having five, the Central African Republic threeand Equatorial Guinea two. All the agro-ecological zones in CAR and EG are represented
in Cameroon such that trends observed in Cameroon could be extrapolated to the othercountries. As a result, Cameroon had more sample targets (600) than Central African
Republic and Equatorial Guinea that had 200 each.
The study was carried in two phases. Phase one was a reconnaissance survey to make anappraisal of the particularities of the various agro-ecological zones and identify the agricultural
practices, while phase two focused on the administration of questionnaires to respondents inthe various agro-ecological zones.
3.3 Data collection techniquePurposive, stratified, random sampling methods and some selected Participatory Rural
Appraisal (PRA) tools ( semi-structured interviews , focused group discussions, seasonal
calendars, activity profile, historical time line, questionnaires, visual assessments, and keyinformants), were used for the collection of data on agricultural innovations and adaptations
for climate change effects and food security in the region.
Semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions were used to source informationfrom respondents that were unable to read and fill the questionnaires. Seasonal calendars
were used to obtain information on the various crops and agricultural practices going on at
different seasons. Activity profile sourced information on the various types of daily agriculturalactivities such as livestock, crop farming, or unconventional farming methods and farmmanagement practices. Historical time line, aided in tracing the various agricultural strategies
evolved over the past years in response to the erratic nature of climatic conditions. Visualassessment aided in the appreciation of what had been indicated by respondents.
3.4 Site Selection
The study area was purposively divided in to ten main zones distributed for each country as
follows: Cameroon had five zones, Central African Republic three and Equatorial Guinea two
Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

10

(IITA, 1992; IRAD, 2007). The division was based on the ecological and climatic peculiaritiesof each zone. In Cameroon, a total of 600 questionnaires were administered and 572
questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. The 200 questionnaires distributed in the Central
African Republic were all retrieved while only 115 of the 200 questionnaires administered in
Equatorial Guinea were recovered for analysis.
3.5 Selection of Respondents
Respondents were randomly selected from the following target-groups: crop farmers (market
gardeners, cereal farmers, cash crop/permanent crop growers); animal husbandry (such as
piggery and poetry); and non-conventional farmers (like bee keepers, Non-Timber Forest
Products (NTFP) collectors, snail farmers).
3.6 Questionnaires Design
One set of questionnaires, divided into sections A to J were elaborated for the collection ofdata with each section focusing on the capture of data specific to various parameters as
follows: A collected data on demographic parameters; B on man-power skills, development
and specialisation of farmers; C on sources of finance of agricultural activities of farmers; Dlooked at farmers awareness and knowledge on climate change phenomenon in agriculture;
E gathered information on the perceived causes of climate change; F looked at innovative
strategies to climate change adaptation measures; G collected data on the problems
encountered by farmers in adapting to the effects of climate change; H gathered information
on food security issues; I looked at collaboration and networking; and J at performance ofthe system.
3.7 Analytical Procedure
Data was analysed using STATA statistical package.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

11

4. Results and Discussion
The results are presented in a manner that allows for comparison of trends in the different
countries. Where necessary, trends among agro-ecological zones for the respective countries
are highlighted. In this section Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic
where necessary have been respectively abbreviated as CAM, EQG and CAR.
4.1 Demographic Parameters
Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Farmers
Table 1 shows the summary of the socio-demographic characteristics of farmers from thethree countries. A total of 882 farmers took part in the survey, 572 from Cameroon, 115 from
Equatorial Guinea and 200 from CAR.
Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of the farmers
VariableAge of farmer

CAM (n=572)
Freq

EQG(n=115)

CAR(n=200)

Percent

Freq

Percent

Freq

Percent

<=30

36

6.3

24

20.9

26

13.0

31-40

142

24.8

34

29.6

26

13.0

41-50

219

38.3

37

32.1

104

52.2

51-60

108

18.9

20

17.4

35

17.4

61+

67

11.7

9

4.4

Sex of household head
Male

454

79.4

101

87.8

167

83.3

Female

118

20.6

14

12.2

33

16.7

Marital status
Single

27

4.7

30

26.1

99

49.7

Married

485

84.8

71

61.7

85

42.6

Divorced

32

5.6

4

3.5

4

1.9

Widowed

28

4.9

10

8.7

12

5.8

126

22.0

55

47.8

43

21.3

Household size
<=5
6-10

320

55.9

44

38.3

123

61.3

11+

126

22.0

16

13.9

35

17.4

Years of farming
<=10

182

31.8

25

21.7

35

17.4

11-20

197

34.4

50

43.5

52

26.1

21-30

126

22.0

22

19.1

87

43.5

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

12

31+

67

11.7

18

15.7

26

13.0

Education level
None

98

17.1

30

26.1

8

4.0

Primary

177

30.9

45

39.1

82

41.0

109

54.5

1

0.5

Secondary

239

41.8

33

28.7

Certificate

24

4.2

2

1.7

Diploma

10

1.8

5

4.4

Other

18

3.2

The proportions of farmers in the respective age categories was even in Equatorial Guinea
and Cameroon while in CAR, slightly over 50% were in the age bracket of 41-50 years.
Over 80% of the households in Equatorial Guinea and CAR are headed by males whileless than 80% applies for Cameroon. The number of married farmers shows a dwindlingtrend from 84% in Cameroon, 62% in Equatorial Guinea and 43% in CAR. Over half of the
farmers in CAR had attained secondary level of education; about 13 % above the situationin Cameroon. Only 28.7% of farmers in Equatorial Guinea had secondary level exposure.
Farm Ownership and Farm Characteristics
Over 90% of the farms are family or privately owned and operate as small groups in the three
countries.
Table 2: Farm ownership and characteristics in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and CAR
Variable

CAM (n=572)

EQG(n=115)

Ownership of farm

Freq

Percent

Freq

Percent

CAR(n=200)
Freq

Percent

Family/private

538

94.1

114

99.1

200

100

Foreign

23

4.0

1

0.9

0

0

Government leased

1

0.2

0

0

0

0

Joint venture

10

1.8

0

0

0

0

Part of large group

104

18.2

9

7.8

4

2.0

Small group

468

81.8

106

92.2

196

98.0

Small <5ha

446

78.0

114

99.1

196

98.0

Medium 5-20 ha

71

12.4

1

0.9

4

2.0

Large commercial >20ha

7

1.2

0

0

0

0

Other

48

8.4

0

0

0

0

Crops

512

89.5

114

99.1

193

96.5

Livestock/fisheries/poultry

145

25.4

19

16.5

195

97.5

Post harvesting handling/agro-processing

25

4.4

0

0

1

0.5

Farm coverage

Size of the farm

Areas of farming focus

Only Cameroon has large commercial farms with areas above 20ha. There is also an importantpresence of medium farms in the country. The rest, including those of Equatorial Guinea
and Central Africa are less than 5ha. Some farmers are dealing in more than one area offarming with over 89% of the farmers participating in crop farming in the three countries. For
the farmers that are dealing in livestock or fisheries/poultry the average number of livestockis 23(SD=41.7) in Equatorial Guinea as compared to an average of 6(SD=4.5) in CAR.
Cameroon is the only country with a significant post-harvest facility of (4.4%).
Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

13

Manpower, Skills, Development and Specialisation of Farmersi) Extension Activities in Relation to Climate Change and Food Security
Provision of extension services is a key factor in increasing agricultural production as wellas value addition. It was established that about 54% of the farmers had been visited byextension agents 12 months prior to the survey in Cameroon while 33.5% and 13% was
observed for CAR and Equatorial Guinea respectively (table 3). On the kind of extension
services provided to farmers in relation to climate change little has been done for Cameroon(29%) and CAR (33.5%) very little for Equatorial Guinea. Public shows to cause awarenessabout climate change were among the least focused on by the extension services.
Table 3: Distribution of extension activities related to climate change
Extension activities available

CAM

EQG

CAR

Demonstration / training on the use of adaptive measures (e.g.
mulching) to cushion against effects of Climate change

167(29.2)

6(5.2)

67(33.5)

Visiting sites that are undergoing changes due to variations inclimate139(24.3)

1(0.9)

23(11.5)

Advisory services on farm management to reduce the effect ofclimate change

116(20.3)2(1.7)

34(17.0)

Awareness creation on the effects/consequences of climatechange168(29.4)

15(13.0)45(22.5)

Organizing public shows on changing climate

20 (3.5)4(3.5)

14(07.0)

Excursion showing varying climate situations

19(3.3)2(1.7)

7(03.5)

Field days where discussions on effect of climate change isdiscussed

40 (7.0)14(12.2)

10(05)

ii) Specialised Training in Climate Change Adoption
CAR (32.0%%) has dispensed more specialised training in climate change adaptation
than Cameroon (14.7%) and Equatorial Guinea(7.8%) while Cameroon presents more
opportunities for staff development (18.0%) than CAR (9.5%).
Table 4: Specialised training in climate change adoption
Variable

CAM

EQG

CAR

Specialized training in climate change
adaptation

84(14.7)9(7.8)

64(32.0)

Family or farm workers have specialized
training in climate change activities

26(4.6)0(0)39(19.5)

Opportunities for training staff/family members

103(18.0)0(0)19(9.5)iii) Manpower Structure
Data within the past five years on the management of farms and availability of technical staff
and unskilled labour is presented in table 5:

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

14

Table 5: Manpower structure for farmers in Central Africa
Management

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Same

76.5

74.1

63.4

59.5

59.0

Declined

7.3

9.1

11.8

8.6

10.8

Increased

16.1

16.8

24.8

31.9

30.2

Same

85

85

85

77.5

77.5

Declined

15

15

12.5

12.5

12.5

2.5

10.0

10.0

CAM

EQG

Increased
CAR
Same

92.2

92.2

86.1

92.2

99.4

Declined

7.8

1.1

2.2

7.8

0.6

6.7

11.7

Increased
Number oftechnical staff
CAM
Same

70.1

67.0

57.5

58.8

55.8

Declined

14.3

18.5

19.3

17.5

18.2

Increased

15.6

14.5

23.3

23.7

26.0

Same

62.5

67.5

75.0

75.0

75.0

Declined

30.0

30.0

22.5

22.5

22.5

Increased

7.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

Same

61.4

56.2

47.7

42.6

41.9

Declined

11.7

12.4

14.5

15.4

16.0

Increased

26.9

31.4

37.8

42.0

42.1

Same

87.0

87.0

80.9

79.1

73.9

Declined

13.0

11.3

10.4

7.0

7.0

1.7

8.7

13.9

19.1

100

99.4

100

100

EQG

Labourers
CAM

EQG

Increased
CAR
Same
Declined100

0.6

Increased

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

15

Management practices and number of technical staff has slightly increased in all three
countries (figure 1a & b).
Figure 1: Trends in
manpower structure forfarmers in Cameroon,
Central African Republicand Equatorial Guinea.
(a) Trends in managementof farms revealing
increased farmmanagement practices(b) Trends in number oftechnical staff showing
increase number oftechnical staff(c) Trends in unskilled
labour depicting increasein number of unskilledworkers
There is a significant
increase in the number of
unskilled workers (fig 1 c).
This is explained by thefact that more and more
people are getting involvedin agriculture with a large
number of them having no
training.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

16

4.2 Sources of Finance
The survey established that more than 90% of the agricultural funds in all the three countries
are self generated capital (table 6). Cameroon has an important private sector involvementthat contributes up to 17.9 % as loans to the farmers. In CAR, government subsidies financed
10% of the budget while in Equatorial Guinea, donor funding financed 15% of the budget for
the reference time period.
Table 6: Sources of funding for agricultural activities
CAM

EQG

CAR

SourceMean(SD) RangenMean(SD)

Range

n

Self
generated

94.7(16.0)

0-100

569

99.9(1.4)

85-100115 99.2(6.7)

Government
subsidies8.5(13.7)

0-70

66

PrivateSector(loans)17.9(23.0)

0-75

81

Donor
Funded8.1(16.2)

0-50

57

15

0.2(0.96)

0-5

36

Other
(venture
capital)Mean(SD)

10

15-15

Range

n

10-100 193
10-10

6

1

Data was collected on trends in funding from the self generated sources over the past five
years in the three countries. The results are presented in table 7 below. In the three countries,
self generated income was more likely to remain the main source of funding over the next
five years.
Table 7: Trends (2005-2009) in Sources of Funding for Agricultural Activities
Source

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Same

53.1

47.8

34.8

30.6

27.7

Declined

12.9

13.5

14.3

12.2

14.3

Increased

34.1

38.6

50.9

57.2

58.0

CAM
Self
generated

Government subsidies
Same

47.1

40.9

36.1

34.2

31.5

Declined

34.3

40.9

47.2

48.0

45.2

Increased

18.6

18.2

16.7

17.8

23.3

Private Sector (loans)
Same

42.0

43.5

42.3

37.7

31.9

Declined

31.9

31.9

38.0

37.7

40.3

Increased

26.1

24.6

19.7

24.6

27.8

Same

36.8

39.5

33.3

28.6

28.6

Declined

39.5

39.5

41.0

35.7

33.3

Increased

23.7

21.0

25.6

35.7

38.1

Donor Funded

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

17

EQG
Self generated
Same

92.9

94.6

87.6

80.7

77.2

Declined

5.4

5.4

8.0

7.9

7.0

Increased

1.8

4.4

11.4

15.8

CAR
Self generated
Same

95.6

95.6

90.0

89.4

89.4

Declined

3.9

4.4

10.0

10.0

10.0

Increased

0.6

0.6

0.6

The farmers were asked the proportion of their farm budget that is directed toward solving the
problems created by climate change. In Equatorial Guinea approximately 58% of the farmers
have no budget allocated for climate change as compared to 97% in CAR. This implies thatin both countries there are no budget allocations for problems created by climate change.
4.3 Farmers’ Awareness and Knowledge on Climate Change Phenomenon in Agriculture
Trends in Climate Change Parameters
Farmers in all three countries where asked about changes they observed in some climatechange parameters and how these changes impacted on schedules within the past five
years. Overall, uncertainties in the onset of farming seasons, extreme weather events, andfarming problems have increased within the past five years as shown in tables 8-10.
Table 8: Trends in uncertainties in the onset of farming season in Central Africa from2005 to 2009
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Unusual early rains that are followed by weeks of dryness
Same

48.0

44.7

29.5

19.1

15.9

Declined

19.6

19.1

21.9

18.0

20.7

Increased

32.4

36.2

48.6

62.9

63.4

Same

37.8

34.3

23.5

15.4

13.9

Declined

23.5

23.0

18.3

14.4

13.9

Increased

38.7

42.7

58.2

70.2

72.2

Same

37.6

32.3

24.3

13.5

12.1

Declined

31.8

35.7

33.3

23.3

26.5

Increased

30.6

32.0

42.4

63.2

61.4

Same

37.3

33.9

26.1

13.1

8.1

Declined

16.1

19.3

17.1

12.6

14.3

Increased

46.6

46.8

56.8

74.3

77.6

35.4

32.0

24.6

16.3

13.9

Erratic rainfall pattern

Delay in the unset of rains

Long period dry season

Long period of rainfall
Same

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

18

Declined

43.4

42.7

49.4

55.1

55.7

Increased

21.2

25.3

26.0

28.6

30.4

Same

42.5

39.0

32.3

23.7

19.7

Declined

21.3

23.0

19.0

16.7

18.3

Increased

36.2

38.0

48.7

59.6

62.0

Same

65.4

61.8

58.9

51.7

46.6

Declined

17.8

19.4

19.3

20.7

21.2

Increased

16.8

18.8

21.8

27.6

32.2

Same

59.9

56.3

54.3

50.0

42.8

Declined

22.8

23.0

20.9

18.5

24.8

Increased

17.3

20.7

24.8

31.5

32.4

Short period of rainfall

Reduced harmattan

Long period of harmattan

Table 9: Trends in extreme weather events in Central Africa from 2005 to 2009
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

51.2

48.8

43.9

36.9

33.1

Thunderstorms
Same
Declined

29.4

29.2

28.3

25.2

25.5

Increased

19.4

22.0

27.8

37.9

41.4

43.2

39.6

33.6

23.5

18.2

Heavy winds
Same
Declined

27.5

27.5

27.0

19.9

20.7

Increased

29.4

32.9

39.4

56.7

61.1

49.0

46.7

42.6

34.9

26.8

Incidence of dust covering the atmosphere
Same
Declined

16.4

16.5

15.4

13.6

10.5

Increased

34.5

36.9

42.0

51.5

62.6

Flooding
Same

49.7

48.2

45.0

43.0

40.5

Declined

36.1

36.1

37.4

38.1

39.9

Increased

14.2

15.7

17.6

18.9

19.5

33.4

34.8

27.8

18.6

14.0

Drought
Same

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

19

Declined

11.5

9.6

8.9

8.3

9.2

Increased

55.0

55.5

63.3

73.1

76.8

47.9

47.3

42.6

37.4

35.7

ErosionSame
Declined

19.6

18.5

18.7

18.3

19.4

Increased

32.5

34.2

38.7

44.3

44.9

Heat waves
Same

43.4

39.7

36.5

26.3

24.9

Declined

14.2

14.2

11.5

10.0

9.8

Increased

42.4

46.1

52.0

63.7

65.3

High Sun intensity
Same

34.1

31.2

23.8

14.9

11.7

Declined

11.7

11.6

7.6

6.2

6.0

Increased

54.2

57.2

68.7

78.8

82.3

29.0

26.1

19.3

15.9

12.7

Heavy rainfall
Same
Declined

40.9

40.8

45.9

43.2

43.9

Increased

30.1

33.1

34.8

40.9

43.4

27.0

27.1

13.4

9.3

8.8

Desertification or loss of forest resources
Same
Declined

11.3

11.1

8.5

7.8

7.5

Increased

61.8

61.8

78.1

82.9

83.8

Volume of sand encroachment
Same

62.6

61.4

55.5

50.4

46.9

Declined

23.0

23.7

23.3

20.3

21.3

Increased

145

14.8

21.2

29.2

31.8

Table 10: Trends in the increase in farming problems in Central Africa from 2005 to
2009
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Same

31.9

31.6

18.3

11.7

9.6

Declined

15.5

14.6

16.4

10.6

8.9

Increased

52.6

53.8

65.3

77.7

81.6

Same

36.5

36.9

29.0

22.8

20.0

Declined

16.8

15.4

13.9

11.1

10.7

Increased

46.7

47.7

57.2

66.1

69.3

Same

35.9

34.6

26.1

20.0

18.0

Declined

23.4

24.1

24.6

24.1

24.8

Increased

40.7

41.4

49.4

56.0

57.2

32.5

32.4

27.2

17.9

15.3

Disease incidence

Weed infestation

Soil infertility

Drying up of streams / rivers
Same

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

20

Declined

11.2

11.3

10.8

9.0

10.4

Increased

56.2

56.3

62.0

73.1

74.3

Same

35.2

35.7

28.8

20.9

18.5

Declined

49.2

48.6

51.3

56.4

56.1

Increased

15.6

15.8

19.9

22.7

25.5

Same

38.8

37.2

25.3

16.4

17.0

Declined

31.3

31.8

39.1

49.5

49.6

Increased

29.9

31.1

35.7

34.1

33.5

Same

48.0

47.2

45.7

43.6

41.0

Declined

40.9

40.2

40.2

42.1

41.0

Increased

11.0

12.6

14.2

14.3

17.9

Overflowing of streams / rivers

Farm yields

Land slides

Knowledge about Climate Change
The survey assessed the knowledge and perceptions about climate change and its effects.
In Cameroon it was revealed that out of the 572 farmers interviewed 295 (51.6%) had heardof climate change. The farmers were further asked if they think that climate change affects
their farming activities. 312 (54.6%) answered in the affirmative .This implies that more thanhalf of the farmers had knowledge of climate change and its effects. Further analysis by
agricultural zones reveal varying levels of awareness about climate change and its effects.
For example, farmers residing in agricultural zone three and four in Cameroon are the mostknowledgeable about climate change and its effects on farming activities while those residing
in agricultural zones one and two of the same country are the least knowledgeable (table 11).
Table 11: Knowledge and perceived effects of climate change in Cameroon by
agricultural zones.
Frequency

Agricultural zones

Knowledge aboutclimate change

Effects of climatechange on farming
activities

Number (%)

Number (%)

1

119

26(21.9)18(15.1)

2

61

11(18.0)10(16.4)

3

60

45(75)

56(93.3)

4

212

156(73.6)

159(75)5120

57(47.5)

69(57.5)

All the respondents interviewed in CAR had knowledge of climate change compared to the
54% in Equatorial Guinea and the 51.6% observed in Cameroon. A higher proportion ofAgricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

21respondents in Equatorial Guinea (89.8%) had information on effects of climate change on
farming activities compared to the 74% for CAR and the even smaller 54.6% for Cameroon.
Table 12: Knowledge and perceived effects of climate change in CAR and Equatorial
GuineaCountry

EQG (n=108)

CAR (n=172)

Knowledge about climate change

58(53.7)

172(100)

Effects of climate change on farming activities

97(89.8)

127(73.8)

Respondents in the three countries showed differences in their thematic descriptions forclimate change. About 30% in Equatorial Guinea related their definitions to abusive cuttingof trees, 24% defined it in terms of bush fires and 27% defined it in terms of drought. In
CAR, definitions related more to changes in prevailing weather conditions of the region.
In Cameroon descriptions were a combination of what was observed in both CAR and
Equatorial Guinea.
The farmers were further asked if they had noticed any other changes in their environments
within the past five years. The commonly mentioned change was decrease in vegetation
cover and wildlife in the three countries (table 13).
Table 13: Other climate change issues observed
CAM (n=572)

EQG(n=115)

CAR(n=200)

ChangeFreq (%)

Freq (%)

Freq (%)

Vegetation cover and wildlife amount is decreasing

404 (70.6)

111(96.5)

187(93.5)

Increase in the number of some pests / diseases244(42.7)02(1.0)

Decreased frequency of extreme weather events120(21.0)1(0.9)

159(79.5)

Vegetation cover and wildlife amount is increasing

89(15.6)2(1.7)

77(38.5)

Decrease in the number of some pests / diseases

70(12.2)

021(10.5)

Perceived Causes of Climate Change
The farmers were asked to give their opinion on the cause of the rainfall pattern andtemperature change in their countries. Under rainfall patterns as a cause of climate change,
farmers in Equatorial Guinea commonly reported deforestation which was endorsed by
39%, followed by bushfire and deforestation mentioned by 35%. Farmers in CAR commonly
mentioned deforestation and pollution which was endorsed by 69% of the farmers. In
Cameroon the main culprit for change in rainfall patterns and temperature was deforestation(>50%). Under the temperature domain of climate change, farmers in Equatorial Guinea
commonly mentioned bush fires and cutting trees endorsed by 60% while those in CAR
mentioned deforestation and pollution which was endorsed by 65% of the farmers.
Table 14: Causes of Climate Change in Central Africa
Cameroon

Freq (%)

Equatorial
GuineaFreq (%)

CAR

Freq (%)

Rainfall pattern
Deforestation

412 (72)

Bush fires

18(15.6)

Deforestation

31(31.0)

Bush fires

98 (17)

Bush fire &deforestation

40(34.8)

Deforestation& Pollution

69(69.0)

Drying water
bodies62(11)

Deforestation

45(39.1)

Drying water
bodies12(10.4)

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

22Temperature
Deforestation

327(57)abusive26(22.6)
cutting of trees

Deforestation

32(34.8)

Deforestation& Pollution

200 (35)

bush fires

20(17.4)

Deforestation& Pollution

60(65.2)

Bush fires

45(08)

bush fires &cutting trees

69(60.0)

Innovative Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation
Data generated for this section was not only through the structured questionnaires because
the design of the questionnaires could not allow for an adequate elucidation of the innovative
strategies. Most of the data was therefore generated through focused group discussions andobservations of the personnel on the field. It is for this reason that statistical tables are notpresented in this section.
Late planting
In the event of delayed rainfall in most zones, crop farmers engaged in late planting fora month and repeated planting of crops in response to the erratic rainfall. This was aninnovative strategy for maize, millet and Cucurbitaceae (Cucumeropsis edulis) and othercereal crop cultivators.
Blocking of drainage
In most rice farms in the northern plains of the study area, prolonged dryness compelledfarmers to block drainage outlets in order to maintain some degree of water logged/moisture
within the farms.
Grazing on Leftover Straw and Harvest of Animal Droppings
Continuous eruption of conflict between rice farmers and cattle grazers over the use ofavailable land has led to a system where rice farmers allow grazers to feed their cattle on left
over straws after harvest. In return, droppings from grazing cattle aid in fertilization of farms.
This innovation has contributed to reduced socioeconomic conflicts between the farmers andgrazers in the Fadama plains of Cameroon which is characterized by seasonal variationsin precipitation. Livestock farmers use high nutritional content trees for fencing providing
another source of animal feed.
Multiple Cropping and Planting with Different Maturity Period
Food crop farmers have developed multiple cropping and planting of species that mature
at different periods so as to compensate for the late maturing species, crop failure andensure continuous food supply. In Monomodal agro-ecological zones of Cameroon rotational
cropping is practiced with maize harvested in July, August and September, followed by land
preparation for beans planting.
Wood Ash application
During land preparation and planting, farmers apply wood ash on the soils as a local
insecticide to prevent the destruction of the germinating seedlings.
Urban Cropping
Limited availability of post harvest preservation techniques undermines the supply of foodand vegetables from the rural settlements to the urban areas. Most urban households
have replaced flower gardens with small scale gardens that act as source of vegetables.
Furthermore, ornamental trees are now giving way to fruit trees and permanent crops likeplantains. Formerly market gardeners used to nurse seedlings in the last two weeks of
September to transplant them in the first two weeks of October. Faced with the exigencies ofclimate change (especially prolonged rains), today, the nursing period has moved from theAgricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

23

last two weeks of September to the last two weeks of October with effective transplantingof seedlings in November. Digging and opening of irrigation channels is done in the driermonths of December and January.
Other Strategies
Shade trees: Perennial crop farmers (palms, cocoa, coffee etc) confronted with the problem
of prolonged dry spells are now leaving shade trees in their farms to screen their plants fromthe sun.
River bank farming: Cocoa and coffee farmers are concentrating new farms along river
beds as a means of guaranteeing moisture supply during dry seasons. Palm farmers prune
their farms and use the pruned leaves as mulch a practice that helps the palm trees survive
through long dry periods.
Aeration and Treatment: Most micro organisms that attack cocoa and coffee pods proliferate
during prolonged rains. Farmers use fungicides to curb on the microbial load of the farms.
Regular cleaning of farms increases aeration, contributing reduced microbial load in thesefarms.
4.4 Problems Encountered by Farmers in Adapting to the Effects of Climate Change
Poor Access to Information Source Relevant to Adaptation
About 51% of the farmers in Cameroon felt that poor access to information sources relevant
to adaptation was a serious problem to significantly impact on their ability to adapt to theeffects of climate change while in CAR 56% thought the contrary. In Equatorial Guinea, thetrends even out (table 15).
Table 15: Poor access to information source relevant to climate change adaptation inCentral Africa
Strategy-15

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR
EQG

90(55.90)

28(17.39)

43(26.71)

161

40(34.78)

43(37.39)

32(27.83)

115

CAM

82(15.41)

179(33.65)

271(50.94)532

Type of Land tenure System Practiced
Table 16 below shows that farmers in all three countries did not seriously consider the typeof land tenure system practiced as a challenge in adapting to the effects of climate change.
Table 16: Type of land tenure system practiced in Central Africa
Strategy -16

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

117(73.58)

21(13.21)

21(13.21)

159

EQG

43(36.44)

40(38.98)

29(24.58)

111

CAM

252(55.88)

112(24.88)

87(19.29)

451

Ineffectiveness of Indigenous Strategies
More than half of the farmers CAR and about 41% in Cameroon felt ineffectiveness of
indigenous strategies was not a serious problem to adapting to the effects of climate change(table17). About 27% of the farmers in the three countries viewed it as a serious challenge.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

24

Table 17: Ineffectiveness of indigenous strategies in Central Africa
Strategy-17

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR
EQG

90(55.90)

28(17.39)

43(26.71)

161

40(34.78)

43(37.39)

32(27.83)

115

CAM

193(40.80)

148(31.29)

132(27.91)

473

Traditional Beliefs/ Practices
The traditional beliefs and practices generally do not undermine the use of adaptive strategies
by farmers in Central Africa. On the contrary most farmers consider it to be of very little
importance in climate change adaptation (table 18).
Table 18: Traditional beliefs /practices do not allow use the adaptive strategies
Strategy-18

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

126(91.97)7(5.11)4(2.92)137

EQG

82(71)

26(23)

07(6)

115

CAM

344(75.94)

70(15.45)

39(8.61)453

Lack of Financial Resources
Farmers in all three countries indicated that lack of financial resources very seriously
undermined measures by farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change (table 19). A
small percentage (<10%) considered lack of finances as a not too serious problem.
Table 19: Lack of financial resources as a problem encountered in adapting to theeffects of climate change
Strategy -19

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

1(0.5)

48(24.0)151(75.50)

200

EQG

11(10.78)

31(30.39)

60(58.0)102

CAM

20(3.72)111(20.63)407(75.65)

538

Poor or Low Extension Services
Poor or low extension was endorsed as a very serious problem encountered by farmers in
adapting to the effects of climate change by farmers in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
However, almost an equal proportion of farmers recognized it as a serious problem (table
20).
Table 20: Poor or Low extension services a barrier to adapting to the effects of climatechangeStrategy-20

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

58(32.58)

90(50.56)

30(16.85)

178

EQG

30(20.09)

53(46.09)

32(27.83)

115

CAM

116(23.58)

231(46.95)

145(29.47)

492

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

25

Limited access to Improved Crop Varieties
Limited access to improved crop varieties is primarily a problem (35-61%) to all farmers in
the region (table 21).
Table 21: Limited access to improved crop varieties as a barrier to adapting to theeffects of climate change in Central Africa
Strategy -21

Not serious

Country

Number (%)

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCAR

46(29.30)

56(35.67)

55(35.03)

157

EQG

11(10)

67(60.91)

32(29.09)

110

CAM

85(18.35)

211(45.47)

168(36.21)

464

Lack of Access to Improved Livestock Breeds
Lack of access to improved livestock breeds is viewed as a serious barrier to adapting to theeffects of climate change by about 44% of farmers in Cameroon and Central Africa and by
21% in Equatorial Guinea.
Table 22: Lack of access to Improved Livestock breeds as a barrier to adapting to theeffects of climate change
Strategy -22

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

27(33.33)

18(22.22)

36(44.44)81

EQG

30(41.10)

27(36.99)

16(21.92)

73

CAM

75(26.69)

82(29.18)

124(44.13)

281

High Cost of Improved Crop Varieties
High cost of improved crop varieties emerged a serious problem in the entire region (table
23).
Table 23: High cost of improved crop varieties as a problem encountered by farmers
in adapting to the effects of climate change
Strategy -23

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

50(33.78)

40(27.03)

58(39.19)

148

EQG

6(5.45)40(36.6)

64(58.18)

110

CAM

69 (15.40)

147 (32.81)

232 (51.79)

448

Non-availability of Storage Facilities
Non-availability of storage facilities was a very serious problem encountered by farmers in
adapting to the effects of climate change in the region, (table 24).

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

26

Table 24: Non-availability of Storage Facilities as a barrier to adapting to effects ofclimate change
Strategy -24

Not serious

Country

Number (%)

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCAR

35(23.65)

46(31.08)

67(45.27)

148

EQG

8(19.25)59(52.21)

46(40.71)

113

CAM

87 (19.25)

175 (38.72)

190 (42.04)

452

Absence of Government Policy on Adaptation
As table 25 shows, absence of government policy on adaptation is a problem in CAR,
Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Table 25: Absence of government policy on adaptation as a barrier to adapting to theeffects of climate change
Strategy-25

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR
EQG

30(17.96)

48(28.74)

89(53.29)

167

38(33.63)

46(40.71)

29(25.66

113

CAM

98(20.72)

156(32.98)

219(46.30)

473

Non-availability of Credit Facilities
More than half of the farmers view non-availability of credit facilities as a problem encounteredby farmers in adapting to the effects of climate change in the region (table 26).
Table 26: Non-availability of credit facilities as a barrier to adapting to the effects ofclimate change
Strategy-26

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

7(4.38)54(33.75)

99(61.88)

160

EQG

11(9.57)

43(37.39)

61(53.04)

115

CAM

47(10)

162(34.47)

261(55.53)

470

Limited Knowledge on Adaptation Measures
Limited knowledge was perceived as a challenge in Central African Republic (53%).
Table 27: Limited knowledge on adaption measures as a problem encountered by
farmers in adapting to the effects of climate change
Strategy-27

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

16(11.03)

77(53.10)

52(35.86)

145

EQG

52(46.02)

50(44.25)

11(9.73)

113

CAM

111(26.18)

202(47.64)

111(26.18)

424

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

27

Poor Response to Crises Related to Climate Change by the Government Agencies andInterest Groups
A large number of farmers in the Central African Republic (61%) underscore poor responseto crises related to climate change by the governments agencies and interest groups to bea problem. This is the same case with Cameroon (43%) while most farmers in Equatorial
Guinea do not consider it as a serious problem (46%) – table 28.
Table 28: Poor response to crises related to climate change by government agencies
and interest groups as barrier to adapting to the effects of climate change
Strategy-28

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR
EQG

15(9.32)

48(29.81)

98(60.87)

161

51(45.54)

44(39.29)

17(15.18)

112

CAM

101(22.3)

161(35.4)

191(42.96)

453

Risk of Adaptation
Table 29: Risk of adaptation as a barrier to adapting to the effects of climate change
Strategy -29

Not serious

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCAR

55(41.04)

46(34.33)

33(24.63)

134

EQG

28(25.78)

64(56.64)

21(18.58)

113

CAM

119(28.47)

193(46.17)

106(25.36)

418

High Cost of Fertilizers and Other Inputs
High cost of fertilizer impinges on the ability of farmers to adapt to the effects of climatechange in Central Africa as the ratings in all three countries are above 53%.
Table 30: High cost of fertilizers and other inputs as barrier to adapting to the effects
of climate change
Strategy-30

Not serious

Country

Number (%)

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCAR

22(12.36)

34(19.10)

122(68.54)

178

EQG

8(7.34)42(38.53)

59(54.13)

109

CAM

42(8.99)

110(23.55)

315(67.45)

467

High Cost of Irrigation Facilities
High cost of irrigation facilities affects efforts to adapt to climate change in the Central African
Republic more (53%), Cameroon (41%) and Equatorial Guinea (42.84%).

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

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Table 31: High cost of irrigation as a barrier to adapting to the effects of climatechangeStrategy-31

Not serious

Country

Number (%)

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCAR

42(30.60)

22(16.06)

73(53.28)

137

EQG

42(42.84)

28(32.56)

16(18.60)

86

CAM
112(28.64)
100(25.58)
179(45.78)
391
Farmers in Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are faced with nonavailability of farm inputs as shown in table 32 below.
Table 32: Non-availability of farm inputs as a problem encountered by farmers in
adapting to the effects of climate change
Strategy-32

Not serious

Serious

Very Serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

46(32.62)

54(38.3)

41(29.08)

141

EQG

14 (12.39)

63 (55.75)

36 (31.86)

113

CAM

97 (23.1)

175(41.67)

148(35.24)

420

Non-availability of Processing Facilities
Non-availability of processing facilities is a problem in Central Africa and this has been
corroborated by the percentage of farmers who endorsed this assertion (table 33).
Table 33: Non-availability of processing facilities as a problem encountered by farmers
in adapting to the effects of climate change
Strategy-33

Not serious

Country

Number (%)

Serious

Very serious

TotalsCAR

44(32.12)

63(45.99)

30(21.90)

137

EQG

6(5.45)48(43.64)

56(50.91)

110

CAM

87(21.22)

195(47.56)

128(31.22)

410

Inadequate Knowledge on How to Cope with Effects of Climate Change
Inadequate knowledge to cope with effects of climate change is a serious problem in all three
countries (table 34).
Table 34: Inadequate knowledge to cope with effects of climate change in Central
AfricaStrategy-34

Not serious

Serious

Very Serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

29(18.01)

65(40.27)

67(41.61)

161

EQG

30(27.03)

59(53.15)

22(19.82)

111

CAM

84(18.26)

212(46.09)

164(35.65)

460

Non-availability of Farm Labour
Farm labour is understandably a very serious problem in Equatorial Guinea because of theirsmall population. Though the Central Africa Republic and Cameroon have relatively large
populations it still remains a serious problem (table 35).
Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

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Table 35: Non-availability of Farm labour
Strategy-35

Not serious

Country

Number (%)

Serious

Very Serious

TotalsCAR

78(48.45)

62(38.51)

21(13.04)

161

EG

11(10.09)

46(42.20)

56(47.71)

CAM

140 (30.91)

166(36.74)

147(32.45)453

High Costs of Farm Labour
Equatorial Guinea has the highest proportions of farmers citing high cost of farm labour as
problem faced by farmers in adapting to the effects of climate change (table 36).
Table 36: High costs of farm labour
Strategy-36

Not serious

Serious

Very Serious

TotalsCountry

Number (%)

CAR

62(36.05)

71(41.28)

39(22.67)

172

EQG

11(10.0)44(40.0)55(50.0)110

CAM109(23.04)

156(32.98)

208(43.97)

473

Food Insecurity
No distinction (per country) is made on the discussion of the outcome on food security issues
in Central Africa because similar trends were observed in all three countries. Farmers wereasked how often in the last one year they had had problems satisfying the food needs of theirhouseholds. Figure 2 shows, 30% of the farmers sometimes had problems satisfying thefood needs of their households.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 7930	
  Figure 2: Problems satisfying food needs of household in Central Africa (n=833)

Figure 3: Number of times households feed in a day (n=833)
Farmers were further interviewed on how many times their households fed in a day andmajority endorsed three times a day (figure 3).
The farmers were asked to compare the current food situation of their respective householdswith the situation one year ago , for 38% of the farmers, the situation was worse than now(figure 4).

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

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Figure 4: Current food situation compared with the situation one year ago in Central
AfricaPerformance of the System
The farmers were asked to rate their farm’s ability to adapt to climate changes in the local orinternational environment. More than 60% of the 720 farmers that responded to this question
rated their farm performance as being good to excellent (figure 5).

Figure 5: Farm performance in Central Africa

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

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Despite the average nature of farm performance, farmers believe that with an increase in theircapacity and man power development as indicated in Figure 6 their efforts and applicationof local methods will transform their present average stage to a probable good and excellent
situation if complemented by sound research and technological innovations.

Figure 6: Indigenous farm management, performance and productivity in Central
Africa.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

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5. Conclusion
The erratic nature of environmental conditions coupled with limited availability of geneticallymodified varieties, low level of extension staff, capacity training, high cost of pesticides andinsecticides, as well as limited availability of a well structured irrigation systems and poor
national strategies to combat the perils of climate change are enormous. In a bid to sustain
food security, localities have been developing innovations that are proving successful but
proper scientific research on these innovative technological developments remain the only
way forward for an efficient fight against climate change perils and food security.

6. Recommendation••

The government should establish fictional policies and put in place incentives subsidies
and bonuses to communities that identify and bring into light new strategies that caneffectively combat the perils of climate change and improve food security.
Capacity building workshops on tested and approved innovated strategies in the areaof permanent cropping, market gardening, and livestock disease control method should
be organized each year by all stakeholders comprising farmers, researchers, agricultural
related institutions and policy makers at the end of every agricultural season to update
national data on innovative strategies that can effectively combat climate change andfood security.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change Effects and Food Security in Central Africa Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea and Central Africa Republic. ATPS Working Paper No. 79

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ATPS (2013): Multi-temporal threshold algorithm in forest fire detection using MSG satellite: The case of Zimbabwe. ATPS Working Paper No. 76

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3. Methodology
Study Area
The study area of this research is situated in the upper Blue Nile catchment of Ethiopia.
It is located approximately between coordinate 10033’06’’ to 10050’24’’ North latitude and37042’36’’ to 37058’24’’ East longitude. It covers a total estimated area of 58122.94 hectares
and with the total population of about 132069. Topographically, the area lies in the altitudes
range of 878m to 4000m.a.s.l (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Location of the study area (Source: Choke Mountain Initiative project
document, 2010)

As a result of this the area is characterized by three distinct agro-ecological zones- Dega,
Weynadega, and Kola. According to the traditional classification system, which mainly relies
on altitude and temperature for classification, Ethiopia has five climatic zones (Table 1).
The information which is obtained in Weredas’ Agricultural Offices revealed that the rainfall
amount and temperature of the area ranges from 385 -1300mm, and 10- 26oC respectively.
The area gets monomodal type of rain fall (that is Kirmt rain fall regime). The soil types wereidentified based on their colors (red, brown, black and grey); on the average percentage,
about 60 %, 39 %, 36% and 2.5% are brown, red, black and grey soil respectively. The
cultivated land covers a total area of 34161.93 ha of the area. The major annual crops
cultivated in the catchment are barley, Avena species (Ingedo), wheat, beans, peas, potato,maize, and sorghum. The common domestic animals in the area are cattle, sheep, goats,horses, mules, donkeys, and poultry.
Table 1: Traditional climatic zones and their physical characteristics
Zone

Altitude(meters)

Rainfall(mm/year)

Average temperature(Co)

Wurch(upper highland)

3200 plus

900- 2,200>11.5

Dega(highlands)

2,300- 3,200

900- 1,200

17.1/16.011.5
978-9966-030-63-4

ISBN:

ATPS (2013): Multi-temporal threshold algorithm in forest fire detection using MSG satellite: The case of Zimbabwe. ATPS Working Paper No. 76

38