Perceptions of Climate Variability and Pest-Disease Incidence on Crops and Adaptive Forest-Agricultural Practices
Date
2012
Authors
Mala W.A.
Geldenhuys C.J.
Prabhu R.
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
The article examines the influence of local perceptions of climate variability and pest-disease incidence on crops and its management and on adaptive forest-agricultural practices. The study was conducted in the humid forest of Southern Cameroon along a resource use intensification and population gradient using a semi-structured questionnaire administrated to farmers. The results showed that the level of severity of crops-pests incidence was perceived as high, with an increase over the past 15 years. A high incidence of pests-diseases was perceived on yield/income of cocoa, cassava, and groundnuts. The results indicated that each crop has its management practices of pests-diseases both at the crop and land use level. The farmers respond positively to their perception of climate variability by anticipating cropping practices, by harvesting earlier or later, and by adapting strategies of pests-diseases with crops and land use practices that affect the sustainability of forest-agriculture. © 2012 by the American Anthropological Association.
Description
Keywords
Adaptive, Climate variability, Crops, Diseases incidence, Management strategy, Perception, Pests
Citation
Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment
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