L'INNOVATION EST-ELLE VRAIMENT LA SOLUTION ? : L'EXEMPLE DU GRAND SUD CAMEROUN
Résumé
For numerous agents of research and/or development institutions, innovation constitutes one of the main tools on which they count to reduce fragility of the poorest populations and to improve durability of agrarian systems. We thought it would be interesting to analyze whether this vision on the role of innovation is shared by the actors who are directly touched by its implementation. A first series of interviews, realized in four zones of South Cameroon, showed that agricultural households often mobilize solutions that are little innovative, yet have shown their worth in the farmers' context, in order to improve their income and/or safeguard the future of their children. Diversification of activities and production as well as migration for the search of new land, are frequently mentioned by the interviewed households. During a second stage, we tried to clarify and evaluate the correctness of the information given to us by the interviewed households, especially regarding the strategies followed relative to the development of diversification of activities. The results showed that in three out of four study zones, the non-agricultural incomes currently provide approximately one-third of total income for these farmer households. The results also showed that the majority of households construct activity systems and a course of life which mix agricultural as well as non-agricultural activities. This study shows that innovation, depending on the farmer household and its context, is not always an essential tool for the improvement of farmer household incomes and the durability of agrarian societies.
Domaines
Agriculture, économie et politique
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
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