Role and Status of Plantain in Agroforestry Systems of South West Cameroon: Which Pathways to Productive and Sustainable System?
The article discusses the integration of plantains into agroforestry systems in South West Cameroon, addressing the challenges faced by farmers due to fluctuating cocoa prices and local economic disruptions. To mitigate these issues, farmers employ two main strategies: diversifying cocoa plantations with plantains and other crops, or expanding food crop cultivation by clearing and burning forest land. The study, based on 200 plots across 15 villages, highlights the high prevalence of cocoa-plantain associations, aiming to find sustainable cropping systems that are agronomically, environmentally, and economically viable.