Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Impact of climate change on crop production and development of Muyuka subdivision - Cameroon

2014; Volume: 2; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

2165-8846

Defang N. Julie, I. Manu, M J Bime, O F Tabi, Henry Fualefac Defang,

Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy

Climate change is a threat to the livelihood and development of most African countries because it brings about decrease in agricultural production and drop in farm revenue. The negative effects are felt by a majority of resource limited persons resident in rural areas whose livelihoods depend entirely on agriculture. This study investigates the impact of climate change on crop production and development of Muyuka subdivision. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 30 farmers from each of the five communities (Mautu, Owe, Bafia, Ikata and Muyenge). Data collected on social characteristics of the respondents, impact of climate change on production and development were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that most farmers were aged 40-49 years, had attained primary education, had been farming for 10-14 years and 25 years and above and were farming for both subsistence and commercial purposes. Farmers had been negatively affected by climate change as it brought about drop in yields of crops like plantain, cocoyam, maize and cocoa which are commonly grown in this subdivision. Climate change affected development through poverty, hunger and deterioration of living standards. The climatic event which affected farmers most was increase sunshine intensity which caused drying of plants and ripening of cocoa pods before maturity. Adaptation is therefore necessary to reduce impact and ensure livelihood of farmers.