VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED AFRICAN INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES IN MEZAM DIVISION, CAMEROON

Abstract

This study   unveil the value chain analysis of selected African indigenous vegetables in Mezam division, Cameroon. Both primary and secondary data sources were used. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of participants from four sub-Divisions in Mezam Division. That is Bamenda I, II, III and Tubah Sub-Divisions. Primary data was collected among 300 producers in the Mezam division using a well-structured questionnaire through random sampling. Ratios and descriptive statistics were used to estimate the result. Results revealed that most commonly grown indigenous vegetables were fluted pumpkin (23.7%), garden egg (19.0%), bitter leaf (14.7%), huckle berry (12.6%), water leaf (8.0%), and Amarantha (6.3%). Also, the findings revealed that, value chain actors identified were; input suppliers, chain facilitators, producers, wholesalers, retailers, collectors, processors and consumers. To add, through focus group discussions, each value chain actor was identified to perform unique roles in the value chain of AIVs with the input supplier supplying the producers with agricultural inputs and they are easy to access. The study equally shows that difficulties in accessing the facilitators limits the flow of market information. The study recommends that, to strengthen the interaction among the value chain actors, rules have to be develop that bind the relationship between producers and traders most especially positive attitudes toward partnership, interaction, networking and information flow needs to be developed among the main actors in the value chain. This will help the chain actor’s work in an integrated way to improve production, reduce post-harvest losses, and to strengthen sustainable market linkage in Mezam Division. With a strong relationship between traders and producers, searching for market information and dissemination will be crucial.