This report presents the outcome of a ten-day mission carried out in 2009 with the goal to prepare a development plan for Ediki-Bekoli Village. The researchers conducted an ethnographic-type research with the aim being to guide and facilitate a community-led development planning process for the village from which this Village Development Plan (VDP) was born. Upon arrival in the village, the researchers were hosted by the village chief who convened a meeting with his councilors to discuss the purpose of the expedition, and from there, work kicked off. This VDP document was therefore prepared based on the approach to development planning which focuses on the principles of promoting sustainable livelihoods and self-reliant bottom-up development.
A manual including different participatory learning tools and methods prepared by the capacity building component of Rumpi Project was used throughout the step by step planning process as well as improvisations adapted from other community development experiences around the world. The specific objective is to assist the community better their livelihoods and find solutions that will increase the income of the small-holders within the village thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. Following the initial participatory village assessment (PRA) stage, conducted with the entire community, the following problems were uncovered and prioritized.
These problems include low agricultural productivity, lack of formal/informal technical training, poor road infrastructure, exposed water sources/ lack of potable water which engenders all kinds of health issues, and youth unemployment. Based on the above problems the following goals were formulated, followed by the elaboration of micro-projects based on these goals: to improve agricultural productivity; improve community health and well-being; to improve communication and rural infrastructure; to enhance rural capacity through the development of technical skills; institute community financing mechanisms These micro-projects, if implemented, will meet some of the developmental needs and aspirations of Ediki-Bekoli as perceived by the community itself, leading to the alleviation of poverty.
Table of Contents
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1.1 Location and accessibility
1.2. Climate and Vegetation
2. Organizational Structure
2.1. Village Institutions
2.2. Population
2.3. Ethnic groups
3. LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES
3.1. Farming
3.2. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
3.3. Palm wine Tapping
3.4. Hunting
3.5. Trading
3.6. Sources of income
3.7. Land use systems
3.8. Land Tenure
4. Socio-developmental concerns of the community
4.1. Soil quality concerns and land-use planning:
4.2. Local Market concerns:
4.3. Potable water concerns:
4.4. Power supply:
4.5. Poor road network
4.6. Social concerns
4.7. Limited Social Amenities
4.8. Diseases and health care
4.9. Education
4.10. Limited retail outlets
4.11. Limited agricultural productivity
4.12. Limited employment opportunities
4.13. Problem tree analysis
5. Participatory problem identification by Gender and Age groups
5.1. Issues identification within socio-professional groups
5.2.Prioritized problems and proposed solutions
5.3. Participatory Strategic Action needs and project development
5.4. Community Vision
Objectives and Research Themes
This report aims to facilitate a community-led development planning process for Ediki-Bekoli Village, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and bottom-up development strategies to alleviate poverty through the identification of local challenges and the formulation of actionable micro-projects.
- Participatory rural appraisal and community-led needs assessment.
- Analysis of village organizational structures and demographic characteristics.
- Evaluation of agricultural livelihood activities and economic systems.
- Identification of socio-developmental issues and infrastructure gaps.
- Development of strategic action plans and a long-term community vision.
Excerpt from the Book
3.8. Land Tenure
Ediki-Bekoli village has a very liberal land tenure that is not bound by strict traditional laws. Here both men women and strangers can acquire land through different means for construction or farming. The various ways through which land can be acquired include; purchase, inheritance, lease, pledge and share cropping (‘two party’)
By Purchase: This is the case where a person acquires land which is for sale. After paying the full amount requested by the owner, the new owner may go ahead and put the land to what ever use he desires.
By Inheritance: Land is inherited in Ediki-Bekoli village by a person who has a direct relationship with the original owner of the land. This can happen after the person’s death or the children can inherit land when they have attained adulthood. The land is fragmented into plots and shared among the children.
By Lease: This method gives temporal inheritance of land to another person who is not the original owner. Here the owner agrees to give out his/her piece of land for a defined period of time at a certain price. At the end this period of time the owner takes his land. This practice is restricted to farmlands.
By Pledge: This is a system whereby a creditor obtains the land of his debtor as a collateral security and only returns the piece of land when the debt has been settled.
By Share cropping: This is a situation where a person agrees with a land owner to cultivate a piece of land for a specified period of time and the produce from the cultivated land is shared equally among them.
Summary of Chapters
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Provides a geographical and climatic overview of Ediki-Bekoli village, situated within the Konye Rural Council Area in the South West Region of Cameroon.
2. Organizational Structure: Describes the administrative divisions, traditional leadership, and demographic composition of the village, including ethnic diversity.
3. LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES: Analyzes the agricultural and economic activities of the community, highlighting cocoa as the primary cash crop and the challenges regarding land use and tenure.
4. Socio-developmental concerns of the community: Outlines critical community challenges ranging from infrastructure gaps like poor roads and lack of electricity to social issues such as healthcare access and limited education.
5. Participatory problem identification by Gender and Age groups: Details the collaborative needs assessment process where different social groups prioritized problems and proposed strategic actions for community development.
Keywords
Participatory Rural Appraisal, Village Development Plan, Ediki-Bekoli, Cameroon, Livelihood Analysis, Sustainable Development, Community-led Planning, Agricultural Productivity, Land Tenure, Micro-projects, Infrastructure, Poverty Alleviation, Strategic Action, Socio-economic Development, Rural Planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this publication?
The document focuses on the preparation of a comprehensive development plan for Ediki-Bekoli Village in Cameroon, utilizing participatory research to identify community needs and create actionable goals.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The work covers agricultural productivity, health and social services, infrastructure development (roads, water, electricity), and economic empowerment through credit unions and vocational training.
What is the ultimate goal of the research?
The primary goal is to guide the community in transitioning from their current state to a more prosperous future by fostering self-reliant, bottom-up development to alleviate poverty.
Which methodology was employed in this study?
The researchers conducted ethnographic-type research using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, including SWOT analysis, to engage the community in problem identification and strategy formulation.
What is addressed in the main section of the report?
The main section analyzes existing livelihood systems, social-developmental hurdles, and the subsequent prioritization of projects to address those challenges effectively.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Participatory Rural Appraisal, Sustainable Development, Community-led Planning, and Poverty Alleviation.
Why is cocoa farming so significant to the village economy?
Cocoa is the main cash crop, contributing approximately 99% of the income derived from the sale of all farming produce in the village.
How does the community currently manage its financial resources?
Currently, the community relies on traditional "njangi" (saving) groups, as there is a documented need for a formal credit union to facilitate better savings and loan access.
What is the role of the village chief in the development process?
The chief acts as the general overseer of village affairs and collaborates with traditional councils and planning teams to ensure the legitimacy and coordination of development activities.
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- Dr. Anthony Banyouko Ndah (Autor), 2018, Participatory Rural Development Planning, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/441403
