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Typology of rubber based farming systems in Cameroon: lessons for future plantings

Chambon B., Michels T.. 2004. In : International Rubber Study Group (IRSG). Forum international sur le caoutchouc, Limbe, Cameroon, 29-30 March 2004. s.l. : s.n., 18 p.. Forum international sur le caoutchouc, 2004-03-29/2004-03-30, Limbé (Cameroun).

The rubber smallholder sector in Cameroon was developed in different zones, periods and conditions. As a result, the diversity of the rubber farms is important. So, a typology of the farms, mainly based on the strategy for the development of the farming system, is proposed. Four different groups were identified: mini estate farms, family farms with continuous capitalisation of their income in plantations, family farms without capitalisation and emerging rubber family farms. The analysis of the rubber practices during the different stages of a rubber plantation development shows that the four groups present some specificities concerning the choice of the planting material and the strategy of tapping. On the other hand, no difference was noted for the management of the plantation during the immature period. Although the rubber smallholder sector in Cameroon is still limited compared to other African countries, it was possible to reveal that many farmers are interested in rubber. The diagnosis identified some difficulties that smallholders met for rubber cultivation. They have to be taken into consideration for the future plantings.

Mots-clés : hevea brasiliensis; caoutchouc; cameroun

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