An Assessment of the Structure of Vegetables Farming and Farmer’s Perception of Soil and Water Degradation in Two Periurban Areas in Yaounde Cameroon

In peri-urban areas of Yaounde, Cameroon, vegetable farming plays a significant role in the local agricultural economy. This study aims to assess the structure of vegetable farming and farmers' perceptions of soil and water degradation in two peri-urban areas in Yaoundé, Cameroon, namely Nkolondom III and Nkolbisson. Peri-urban areas are characterized by the interface of urban and rural activities and are often subjected to various environmental challenges due to rapid urbanization. Understanding the dynamics of vegetable farming and farmers' perceptions of soil and water degradation is crucial for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental management. Results of our investigation in Nkolondom III and Nkolbisson Peri-urban areas in 2016 and 2023 showed that most vegetable farmers (75%) lack training in agriculture, while up to 90% didn’t benefit from training on the management of pesticides. Spreading and landfilling of amendments are the most popular ways of applying fertilizers. It is interesting to note that the majority of fertilizers (90%) are applied at planting time, indicating that farmers commonly apply fertilizers just before or during the planting phase. Besides, young plots are more exploited (52.4% and 30%) compared to older ones (2.4% and 5%) in Nkolondom III and Nkolbisson, respectively, as they are more responsive to fertilizer application. As a consequence, excessive and unbalanced fertilizer is applied to the oldest farms, which can lead to nutrient imbalances, environmental pollution, and negative impacts on soil health. For irrigation water, it usually comes from streams or small wells that are often highly polluted. The farmers’ perception of degradation is seen through the degradation of soil properties with time in the order of 14.3% to 60% and 15% to 44% at Nkolbisson and Nkolondom III respectively, resulting in a gradual decrease in crop production (up to 50%). It is also seen by introduction of contaminants into the soil through polluted water, affecting the quality of crops and potentially posing a risk to human health.