Evaluating Soil Health Management Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Cameroon: A Longitudinal Study

Soil health in northern Cameroon is critical for agricultural productivity, yet there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of soil management practices among smallholder farmers. A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with a sample of 50 smallholder farmers across three regions in northern Cameroon, collected over two years. Farmers showed a gradual shift towards more sustainable practices such as crop rotation and organic fertilizer application, though initial resistance to change remains evident, particularly among younger farmers who are less experienced. The study highlights the importance of farmer education and support in fostering long-term soil health improvements. Future research should focus on scaling up these findings and developing tailored interventions for different farming contexts. Implement farmer-led extension programmes to promote sustainable soil management practices, with a focus on intergenerational knowledge transfer and community-based monitoring systems.