Bamboutos:Agroforestry system boosts crop production

Some farmers in Bamboutos Division in the Western Region of Cameroon, who adopted Trees Cameroon Agroforestery Farming System, have started experiencing an increase in their farm yields.

Mr. Douanla Pierre is one of those farmers in the Bamboutos Division adopting the Trees Cameroon Agroforestry Farming System. He says the leaves of the nitrogen fixing trees (acacia, luceana and calliandra), which he nursed and transplanted to his farm thanks to support and training from Trees Cameroon has increased soil fertility of his maize farm.

“These trees are performing miracles in my farm. Maize in this farm has always been brownish because of low soil fertility but now, the farm is green with healthy maize. Very soon I will be harvesting” Mr. Douanla added.

The maize farmer said his maize is even healthier than that of those applying chemical fertilizers.

Mr Douanla is just one of the many farmers in the Bamboutos Division that is experiencing an improvement in his soil fertility as result of integrating the Agroforestry technique.

This Agroforestry System of farming was introduced in the Western Region of Cameroon some five years ago with the goal of improving soil fertility, increasing farm yield and restoring degraded landscapes in the region.

It is evident that this goal is gradually being achieved as many more farmers are now adopting the system. Meanwhile, those who adopted it earlier on are already reaping the benefits.