Population induced farm diversification and socioeconomic development

Population in the North West Region of Cameroon has been growing fast since the fourth five-year development plan (1976-1981) that created necessary for such a growth pattern. This growth that eventually increased pressure on agricultural land through the years prompted the farming population to react in a bid to produce more to feed themselves, other dependent groups and to generate more income from the farms. This led to the evolution and acceptance of strategies aimed at achieving these objectives. This has since led to the diversification of the farm operating procedures from farm handling techniques through species variation and enhancement to the diversification of the main purpose of farm production. These strategies while contributing to increase farm yields have also contributed to increases in income generated by farming, thereby, empowering the farmer households, cutting back the poverty situation and prompting socio-economic development among the farming population and the region at large.