Few data are currently available about bamboo
production, processing and consumption in
Cameroon. Baseline information is, however,
critical to inform policymakers and practitioners,
and guide decision-making on how to manage the
development and implementation of interventions in
the bamboo ‘chain’ from harvest though production,
transformation, marketing and consumption of
bamboo-based products. Therefore, as part of the
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan’s
(INBAR) efforts to promote research, technology
transfer, exchange of information and capacity
building in the bamboo sector globally and in the
framework of the ‘Enhancing opportunities for
market-led bamboo-based development in West
and Central Africa program’, CIFOR conducted a
Production to Consumption System (PCS) study of
bamboo in Cameroon between September 2009 and
February 2010.
This study reviewed the current state of Cameroon’s
bamboo sector and the potential for development,
taking a market-led perspective. The methodology
involved first conducting a literature review and
gathering general information on the country
(geographical, topographical, climate, demography,
political, environmental); the bamboo sector
(biodiversity, production, utilisation, socioeconomics,
marketing, legislation); national and
local institutional capacity; and, previous, ongoing
and upcoming bamboo research and development
interventions. To that end, 112 stakeholders were
interviewed to verify the literature, understand
the bamboo market chain and identify the main
production areas and markets. Interviews were
conducted with 149 harvesters, processors, traders
and consumers in five regions (West, Northwest,
Southwest, Littoral and Centre) of Cameroon.
These data were entered into a statistical package
and analysed. Additional data was collected in the
East and Adamaoua regions and preliminary species
identification was undertaken.
The study results indicate that although Cameroon
has two bamboo species indigenous to Africa (the
alpine bamboo Yushina alpina and savannah bamboo
Oxytenanthera abyssinica), largely introduced, exotic
varieties are used, particularly ‘Chinese bamboo’
(Bambusa vulgaris). These species were most probably
introduced during colonial times around watercourses
and settlements. The exception is the mountain
forests of the Northwest, where an estimated 500
Summary
km2
of Yushina alpina forest exists, which is used in 12
different ways, mainly locally around Oku, Belo and
Fundong.
The PCS market chain consists of four types of
stakeholders, with active actors being largely individual
or micro and small enterprises of owners, collectors
and harvesters; processer craftspersons; traders and
retailers; and, consumers. Regulatory, support and
control actors, such as local and central government
ministries, are currently passive actors, although some
traditional councils and chiefs are regulating use
locally. The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises
is stimulating small-scale crafts organisations, albeit
not specific to bamboo. There appear to be no active
actors with technical skills on processing or bamboo
agroforestry in Cameroon. Also absent are development
or support organisations.