Comparative economic and environmental analysis of cocoa and bush mango cultivation in Bomboko, Cameroon: Implications for agroforestry integration and livelihood enhancement
Paper Details
Comparative economic and environmental analysis of cocoa and bush mango cultivation in Bomboko, Cameroon: Implications for agroforestry integration and livelihood enhancement
Abstract
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a major cash crop in Cameroon, while bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) is a valuable non-timber forest product with growing commercial potential. However, limited understanding of their comparative economic returns and environmental interactions hinders informed decision-making regarding agroforestry integration. This study examined the comparative economic and environmental contributions of cocoa and bush mango cultivation in the Bomboko area of Cameroon’s South West Region, with focus on agroforestry integration and livelihood enhancement. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 105 farmers, 10 key informant interviews, 06 focus group discussions and field observations. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were synthesised thematically. Results showed that farmers earn average annual incomes of 2,060,500 FCFA from cocoa and 1,015,000 FCFA from bush mango, with cocoa contributing 67% of household income and bush mango 33%. Production costs represented 9.4% of cocoa income and 5.5% of bush mango income. Seventy-five percent of farmers practice cocoa-bush mango agroforestry, reporting benefits including year-round income (90%), soil preservation (32%), improved moisture retention, and enhanced biodiversity. Major challenges included pest outbreaks (86%), cocoa rotting (40%), limited knowledge of agroforestry practices (56%), and space constraints (28%). The study concludes that cocoa-bush mango agroforestry systems offer a viable pathway for enhancing livelihoods, environmental resilience, and sustainable land use. Recommendations include targeted farmer training, improved market access, strengthening of farmer cooperatives, and policy support for agroforestry adoption.
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Louis Njie Ndumbe*, Nahgela Nadine Forsang, 2026. Comparative economic and environmental analysis of cocoa and bush mango cultivation in Bomboko, Cameroon: Implications for agroforestry integration and livelihood enhancement. Int. J. Agron. Agric. Res., 28(5), 1-8.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.