Adoption of Agroforestry Practices by Community Forest Management Committees in Northern Cameroon: A Mixed Methods Study

Agroforestry practices are integral to sustainable land management in northern Cameroon’s community forests. The adoption of such practices by Community Forest Management Committees (CFMCs) has been observed, but their effectiveness and impact remain understudied. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather data from interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys conducted among CFMC members, local farmers, and district officials in three northern Cameroon communities. Qualitative analysis focused on thematic coding of interview transcripts and discussion notes, while quantitative aspects involved statistical analysis of survey responses. A significant proportion (72%) of CFMCs reported adopting agroforestry practices, with a notable theme centred around the perceived benefits of increased biodiversity and improved soil health. However, challenges such as limited financial resources and inadequate technical support were also highlighted by respondents. The findings suggest that CFMCs play a crucial role in promoting agroforestry adoption but face significant constraints. Recommendations for policy makers include enhancing financial assistance and improving training programmes to boost their effectiveness. Enhanced financial resources and improved technical support should be prioritised to facilitate the successful implementation of agroforestry practices by CFMCs, thereby contributing to sustainable land management in northern Cameroon’s community forests. Agroforestry, Community Forest Management Committees, Sustainable Land Management, Northern Cameroon