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Quantification of the flows of plantains in Yaoundé

Foudjem Tita D., Temple L.. 2003. Montpellier : CIRAD-FLHOR, 9 p..

This paper presents findings related to the origin of plantains consumed in Yaounde. The geneses of the research lie in the fact that researchers usually have difficulties deciding on priority action zones either because of the lack of information on potential production and supply areas. In cases where these data exist, they are usually sketchy and broad base (Provincial and National levels) and make no distinction of production and supply areas. This report provides an insight into the subdivisions supplying plantains into Yaounde. Data for the study were collected from 7 markets performing both wholesale and retail activities and from 3 markets with purely retail activities. In total therefore 7 wholesale and 10 retail markets were surveyed. 47 Wholesalers and 78 retailers were successfully interviewed in the entire process. Questions asked to wholesalers dealt with the subdivision of origin of the product, quantities handled per trip, number of trips per month etc while retailers questions were focused on the their main supply markets and the volumes of their transaction. On a weekly bases. Factors hindering the activities of both wholesalers and retailers were also probed into. Survey results show that more women than men are involved in both the wholesale and retail transaction of plantains. Wholesalers make an average of three trips per month to the supply areas. Average individual quantities handled per trip can be estimated at 79 bunches (1.2 tons) of plantains. Estimations from the collected data show that the Mbangassina Sub division supply 41% of the total plantains consumed in Yaounde. Ntui and Esse respectively follow her with 23 and 8 percents. Grouping the data into Divisions, we can conclude that The Grand Mbam (Mbam et Kim 64% and Mbam et Inoubou 4%) is the major supplier of plantains to Yaounde. Marketing problems listed by both wholesalers and retailers range from lack of vehicles (42%) to too many taxes imposed upon them by the council (2%). It

Mots-clés : musa (plantains); banane plantain; marché; offre et demande; marketing; transport; vente en gros; consommation; production; cameroun

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