The Challenges of Watershed Management in North Sulawesi-Indonesia

Kaunang, Stella Tinny (2021) The Challenges of Watershed Management in North Sulawesi-Indonesia. In: ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND ECONOMICS Volume - 1. Weser Books, pp. 117-147.

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Abstract

The study was carried out under the auspices of the Divisional Technical Unit of the PCP-ACEFA from January 2018 to March 2019 in Mezam Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. The study sought to assess the socio-economic impact of farmers’ organizations on farmers in the Region.More specifically, to characterize these FOs and their associated partners;analyze the resources of FOs and those of their associated partners; determine the contribution of FOs at the level of farmers, organization and community, determine the role of FOs to agricultural development of the Division and their sustainability actions on farmers. To attain these objectives, secondary source data were reviewed. Primary source data were
obtained directly from the field, seventy (70) FOs were then selected and 280 farmers interviewed using a semi structured questionnaire. Seven leaders were interviewed using an interview guide and direct observations were made. The data obtained were treated and analyzed with “SPSS”
software and presented in form of simple tables, curves, bar charts and student (t) parametric test. The analysis of the resources of FOs reveals that since 1995 till date FOs had received aid from SAILD, MINADER, MINEPIA,SOS Faim, EC, American Peace Corps, VSO and ACEFA. SOS Faim and ACEFA
had been the best aid donor to FOs. The amount of aid increased with time from 868,000FCFA in 1998 to 216,160,428FCFA in 2010 for the case of aid from SOS Faim and EU. Also, for PCP-ACEFA, the amount of aid received by
FOs increased with time from 110, 906,670FCFA in 20132015 to
204,764,858FCFA in 2018. Internal resources were mobilized through annual dues, fines, deductions from sales,registration, interests and petty Income
Generating Activities (IAGs). Observations from the study showed that FOs contributed positively to beneficiary farmers’ well-being and living environment. The contribution on the development of technical and
organisational capacities of the farmers was overall positive as farmers had improved skills in input supply (51%), production (39%) and market access(27%) compared to non-beneficiaries. The contribution on the strengthening
of the organisation as a whole was overall positive since it had permitted FOs to respectively employ technical staff (53%) and boosted membership(46%) and improved group input supplies and group sales in the organisation. The contribution on the financial capacities of farmers was
overall positive as 49% and 47% of the beneficiary farmers respectively had a statistically significant higher income than non-beneficiaries. The contribution of FOs to agricultural development was overall positive as 44,
54, 41, 44 and 51% of the respondents respectively expressed satisfaction of co-management of projects, involvement in lobbying and advocacy, writing of projects, better follow up, and information and experience sharing to
farmers. The contribution of farmers’ organizations on the community of farmers and environment was overall positive. Conclusively the contribution of FOs to rural development was overall positive in spite of challenges such as funds not available on time. The study recommends that donors and FOs should provide aid on-time and in accordance with farming calendar. For sustainability, FOs should diversify their activities, put in place an animal feed production unit, and a shop for the supply of agricultural inputs.
Farmers should be encouraged to organize themselves into FOs so as to solve farmers’ problems with ease.
Keywords: beneficiary, contribution, impact, farmer

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