FINAL PROJECT REPORT: PROMOTING PRUNUS AFRICANA

21 Pages·2013·3.14 MB·English

Community Action for Development
P O Box 85 Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba Division
S.W Region, Cameroon
Tel: [phone] or (237) 77313120
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.cadcameroon.org

FINAL PROJECT REPORT:
PROMOTING PRUNUS AFRICANA DOMESTICATION WITHIN FARMING SYSTEMS
IN THE MUANENGUBA MOUNTAIN FOREST REGION OF CAMEROON

(November 2011-December 2013)

Prepared for: PTES, UK (Donor)
By: CAD, Cameroon (Implementing Agent)

© December 2013
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………….3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………………..4
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………5
PROJECT GOAL AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………...5
PLANNED PROJECT ACTIVITIES……………………………………………………..6
ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION………………………………………………………7-11
MARKETING OF PRUNUS SEEDLINGS BY BENEFICIARIES....................................12
CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENTS AND RESULT……………………….………………13
COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS…………………………….15
LESSONS LEARNT……………………………………………………………………….15
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED…………………………………………………………..15
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………………………………………16
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………….16
APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………16-20
 Analysis of constraints and opportunities for community participation
in sustainable Prunus management in the Muanenguba Region… …………........16
 The situation of Prunus africana in the region and the law…………….………....17
 Project case study: The experience of a Prunus harvester and farmer……………18-19
 Letter of appreciation from beneficiaries……………………………………………...20
 Request letter from a local group showing interest in the Prunus project……………………21

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ACKNOWLEDLEDMENTS
We sincerely thank the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) in the UK, for the financial support
given us in raising community awareness against unsustainable exploitation of Prunus africana and supporting
local populations in the domestication of the species in the Muanenguba Mountain Forest Region of
Cameroon. It is within the framework of such partnership that CAD is contributing to government’s efforts in
sustainable management of natural resources and the improvement of livelihoods in our country, Cameroon.
We hope this collaboration strengthens more and more to assist local communities meet with the challenges of
wildlife conservation and sustainable development. In addition, we also thank the Ministry of Forestry and
Wildlife (Divisional Delegation of Kupe-Muanenguba), Environment and Nature Protection and Ministry of
Territorial Administration and Decentralization for their varied support in the course of project
implementation. Finally we sincerely thank the local communities we worked with for their readiness to
accept innovations and active participation at various levels to make the implementation of this project a
success.

Map showing the project area

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Prunus africana is a medicinal plant of international recognition growing on montane ecosystems of
tropical Africa. Its products are used in traditional medicine, as well as entering international trade as
the basis of drugs for the treatment of prostate gland hypertrophy. Generally in Cameroon and
particularly in the Muanenguba region, methods of exploitation are unsustainable. Whole trees are
debarked from the roots to branches or cut down prior to debarking, thus resulting to the death of trees.
Economic operators involved in its exploitation hardly respect harvesting quotas. The reason is that both
local communities and economic operators want to maximize harvest to make more money from the sale
of its bark. These poor methods of exploitation subject this plant to
severe threats, thus making its conservation urgent and imperative.

Due to threats faced by this species, CAD received funding support from
the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) in the U.K to
contribute to its conservation in the Muanenguba region of Cameroon
through direct regeneration, environmental education and by promoting
sustainable harvesting practices. Besides building cooperation ties with
other institutions with interest in Prunus such as relevant government
departments, WWF-Coastal Forests Programme and the World Agro-
Prunus tree completely debarked
forestry Center (ICRAF), it also contributed in improving rural
livelihoods through the sale of seedlings and treatment of patients
locally.

Key achievements of the project:
 The project helped to raise the awareness of over 1500 people on the plight, socio-economic and
environmental importance of Prunus africana as a resource and improved the understanding of local
people about their legal rights and obligations on the use of this resource.
 It also improved local capacities on Prunus domestication and proper harvesting techniques. Target
groups acquired basic knowledge and skills on nursery establishment, on-farm planting and
management of P. africana. Moreover, strategies to enhance community management of the species
were elaborated and adopted, thus increasing opportunities for local participation in the conservation
of the plant.
 Over 14000 Prunus seedlings were acquired and distributed among farmers in 10 village
communities. One central and 11 community Prunus nurseries were established with over 12,103
surviving seedlings.
 9,868 trees have been planted within farming systems and woodlots by 190 farmers from 12 groups
spread over 10 communities. Over 7,994 of these trees actually survived in the field making a survival
rate of 81%. In addition, beneficiary groups collectively generated the sum of 744,250FCFA (about
£993) from the sale of seedlings.
 This project contributed to the implementation of the Muaku Community Forest Management Plan
through the provision of Prunus seedlings for enrichment planting in the Muaku Community Forest;
 Promotes forest governance at community as local people were able to set up Prunus groups with
elected executive committees and members involved in collective decision-making in support of the
proper use and management of forest resources. Target groups are still planting and managing their
farms.

However, we faced a number of difficulties ranging from death of seedlings due to fungal attack and
destruction by straying animals, inability to entertain all request from local communities due to
inadequate finances, inadequate extension means to project staff being viewed as forest guards.

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1. INTRODUCTION

In 1995, the government of Cameroon formulated a new forestry policy with the aim to protect the
environment and its resources. One of the objectives of this policy and the legal framework provided for (1994
Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Laws) is to increase the involvement and participation of local populations in
the management and conservation of forest and wildlife resources and improve local livelihoods.

It is in this backdrop that the The People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ funding came through the project
titled ‘Promoting Prunus africana Domestication Within Existing Local Farming Systems in the Muanenguba
Mounatin Forest Region of Cameroon,’ with CAD as the implementing agent, to support government and
community efforts in sustainable natural resource use and management. This project sought to raise
community awareness on the plight and importance of Prunus africana as well as improve local capacities on
sustainable harvesting techniques that will help this species to continue to thrive. In addition, it sought to
enhance the establishment of community nurseries and the integration of Prunus africana in existing farming
systems. This report provides highlights on the project implementation, achievements, challenges and
constraints from December 2011 to November 2013.

2. PROJECT GOAL AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Project Goal: To promote Prunus conservation through regeneration and sustainable harvesting practices.

Specific Objectives
 To raise awareness on the plight and importance of P. africana,
 To build local capacities on Prunus harvesting and domestication techniques
 To assist local communities regenerate Prunus and improve household revenue

Prunus farmer in Muelong Farmers taking Prunus seedlings to planting site
tplanting site
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3. PLANNED ACTIVITIES

Objectives Activity Expected Result Result indicator
To raise awareness on the Community mobilisation 4 preliminary meetings held in  Reports of meeting produced by end of
plight and importance of P. Muabi, Poala, Nkack and September 2011
africana, Muaku
Sensitise local communities 4 village meeting organised  At least 100 people gain knowledge
on importance and threats about the importance of Prunus africana
faced by P. africana as a resource.
 Meeting report is produced by December
2011
To build local capacities on Train on Prunus One workshop is organized for  At least 65 people gain skills and
Prunus harvesting and domestication and stakeholder representatives knowledge Prunus domestication and
domestication techniques harvesting techniques harvesting techniques by November
2011.
 Workshop reports produced by same
period.
To assist local communities Set up a propagation unit One propagation unit set up At least 1000 cuttings raised and distributed
regenerate Prunus and to farmers by end of project
improve household revenue Establish a central tree one central nursery is establish  A nursery of 5000 seedlings set up by
nursery as a learning center for farmers January 2012
Assist in establishment of At least 5 community nurseries  Existence of well managed nurseries in 4
community and school each of a capacity of 3000 target communities by October 2011
Prunus nurseries seedlings set up in the project  At least 100 people from ten household
area. families take up Prunus cultivation as an
income-generating activity.
 Local people generate additional income
from sale of Prunus seedlings
Assist local people integrate Over 10.000 seedlings planted in  At least 10 farms emerge as agro-forestry
prunus into farming systems farms systems based on Prunus by the end of
the by August 2013
Monitoring and evaluation Effective management of project  The ability of CAD staff and local people
enhanced in project management is improved.
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4. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION
 Identification and sensitisation Prunus Farmers
Following identification of Prunus farmers, CAD organized a series of community-based sensitization
meetings with the local populations to raise awareness
on the importance and plight of Prunus from the 13-15th
of December 2011. Over 1500 people gained knowledge
on the socio-economic and cultural value of Prunus as
well as its conservation problems. In addition local
people understood their legal rights and obligations in
the use of this resource and were able to proposed
strategies for its sustainable use and management.
Through interviews and barnstorming sessions, local
people highlighted the importance and conservation
problems of Prunus in the project areas as follows: Sensitising local populations on the importance of Prunus

Importance Conservation problems
 Prunus barks and leaves are used locally to treat  Prunus trees are completely cut down before
stomach aches, chest pains, heartburns, fevers, debarking without replacement. Others are peeled
malaria and sexually transmissible diseases from roots to smallest branches, resulting to the
 Boiled and used as tea and for blood purification death of wild species.
 Prunus serves as a source of income for local  Due to expansion in agricultural land, Prunus forests
communities. During the project, local people are fast turned into farmlands
raised 744,250FCFA, about £993 from the sale of
Prunus seedlings alone.
 Wood from Prunus is locally used in making tools  Bushfires by herdsmen and wild honey collectors
such as axes and hoe handles, building poles, frequently destroy Prunus trees at boundaries
timber and fuel wood between forest and grassland areas
 Wild Prunus trees provide seeds and seedlings  Trampling of wild Prunus seedlings by cattle does
that farmers can use to plant on farms not allow for the tree to grow naturally in at forest
fringes.
 Prunus can be used to create agro-forestry systems  Many individuals involved in Prunus exploitation do
not respect the official quantities of barks to be
harvested and try to harvest more than can grow in
nature.
 Inadequate local capacities in Prunus conservation.

Prunus forest lost through deforestation

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 Workshop on Prunus Domestication
CAD organized a training workshop on Prunus africana domestication and proper harvesting techniques on
the 22nd of February 2012 in Bangem with financial assistance from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species
in the UK. The workshop that held under the auspices of the Lord Mayor to the Bangem Council, Mr.
Ekonloeh Benedict, brought together over 40 representatives from various stakeholders. The long-term goal
of this workshop was to foster sustainable use and support local people to integrate Prunus trees within
farming systems. The objectives of the workshop were:
 To train local communities on Prunus domestication and proper harvesting techniques;
 To highlight the importance and problems of Prunus africana;
 To elaborate a conservation strategy for Prunus in the Muanenguba region.
 To exchange experiences on Prunus africana.

Participants at CAD’s Prunus Workshop in Bangem Agric. Technician Schools on Prunus Nursery

Collection of Prunus wildlings and establishment of central and community nurseries
Throughout the project, 14000 Prunus seedlings were acquired and distributed among farmers in 10
village communities. One central and 11 community and individual Prunus nurseries were
established with over 12,253 surviving seedlings with a survival rate of 88%. 190 persons including
131 men and 59 women participated in nursery activities by the end of 2013.

A. Group nursery in Muelong village B. CAD Central Nursery

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The following groups and individual have well established and managed nurseries:
S/N Name of group Location Membership Number of Contact
seedlings
surviving in
nurseries
M F Total
1 Nda-Mpong group Nkack 18 4 22 1650 Diame Ngwese
2 Monya Monya group Ebonemin 15 8 23 800 Mesumbe Peter
3 Wenboeh group Poala 7 3 10 1,350 Ngwese Joseph
4 Mbong Joseph Eyolle Poala 4 1 5 1660 Mbong Joseph
5 Elong James household group Muelong 17 9 26 1895 Elong James
6 Young couples CIG Nteho 12 13 25 740 Ekane Nsonge
7 Central nursery Bangem 0 0 0 950 CAD staff
8 Muaku Community Forest Muaku 25 3 28 658 Ekane David
Management Committee
9 Muaku Agroforestry group Muaku 5 4 9 1450 Ngalle David
Ebah
10 Muakwe Youths Association Muakwe 10 5 15 0 Ewane Mathias
11 Muasuk Group Muabi 4 3 7 950 Elung Nkeng
12 Elum-Epenebel Farmers Association Elum 14 6 20 150 Mr. Mballe
Total 131 59 190 12,253
Table1: Showing the effective local participation in Prunus planting and the number of surviving seedling in nurseries

 Construction of a local propagator
It is sometimes difficult to obtain Prunus seeds and seed production is always seasonal. In order to ensure a
regular supply of Prunus planting materials and reduce seasonal dependence on wild seeds, we constructed a
local propagator to produce cuttings and seedlings for farmers. This propagation unit is also used to teach
local people simple procedures in growing Prunus from cuttings.

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 Purchase and Donation of Tree Nursery Tools to target Groups
To facilitate tree nursery work at community, CAD bought and freely distributed assorted tools and Prunus
seedlings to target groups. Tools and materials included spades, shovels, rakes, wheel barrows, cutlasses and
watering cans. The security and management of equipment has been entrusted in the hands of the groups’
executive. In addition, we bought one field motorcycle to ease extension work.

CAD donating tree planting tools to Prunus farmers

 Planting of Prunus into Existing Farming Systems
In fulfilment of our objective to integrate Prunus into existing farming systems, over 10,000 trees have been
planted within farming systems and woodlots by 190 farmers from 12 groups spread over 10 village
communities. Over 8000 of these actually survived in the field making a survival rate of 81%. In addition,
all beneficiaries groups raised 744,250FCFA (about £993) from the sale of seedlings. Prunus is planted
together with plantains, maize, coco yams, cassava and coffee.

Farmers planting prunus on farms

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