Cotton production: Territorial and Cultural Identity of Gobo, Cameroon Septentrional

Abstract

This paper on Cotton production: Territorial and Cultural Identity of Gobo, Cameroon Septentrional, seeks to demonstrate that cotton production accounts for territorial and cultural identity in sub-Saharan Africa. It constitutes a major source of income for producing countries as well as territorial and cultural transformation. The activity is a major source of income for small agricultural holders and their families. Unfortunately, the activity in this septentrional region of Cameroon, which is considered as territorial and cultural identity in term of development in the area, remains unsatisfactory. However, the paper analyses cotton production as a territorial and cultural identity in Gobo and measures it contribution to socio-economic development of the area. The hypothesis stipulates that the territorial development of Far north and Gobo in particular is explained by the extension of cotton cultivation by agricultural actors of the region. Based on quantitative and qualitative methods the empirical data were collected from households’ production records, sales, and resources persons. Questionnaires were used as one of the tools for data collection. The paper reveal that between 2010 and 2020, the average cotton producers had an income ranging from around 700,000 FCFA to more than one million FCFA, against 300,000 FCFA ten years ago. In addition to this many producers were able to build villas, buy motorcycles, and especially take care of their families, without forgetting the maintenance of their farmland. However, there is a need to promote the actors of the cotton sector in Gobo because is a territorial and cultural identity of the people of Far north. Such assistance will permit them to implement action plans that will lead to the sustainability of cotton production in the area. The assistance will consist of supplying the small producer with hybrid seeds in order to increase their output and produce at a lower cost. The second action will also consist of subsidizing agricultural inputs to the tune of at least 50%. The third action is to train engineers specialised in cotton cultivation. The fourth action is to improve the price per kilogram of cotton. The fifth action is to modernize the cotton sector and encourage local industries which transform cotton in Cameroon.

Key words: Cotton production, territorial, Culture Identity, Gobo, Septentrional,

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article sur la Production de coton, identité territoriale et culturelle de Gobo, Extrême-Nord- Cameroun, vise à démontrer que la production de coton est à l’origine de l’identité territoriale et culturelle en Afrique subsaharienne. Le coton constitue une source majeure de revenus pour les pays producteurs et permet la transformation territoriale et culturelle. Cette activité est une source importante de revenus pour les petits exploitants agricoles et leurs familles. Malheureusement cette activité a de la peine à contribuer au développement de cette localité. En effet, le développement territorial et culturel à travers cette activité reste discutable. L’article a pour but d’analyse la production de coton en tant qu’identité territoriale et culturelle à Gobo et mesure sa contribution au développement socio-économique de la région. L’hypothèse stipule que le développement de l’Extrême-nord en général et de l’arrondissement de Gobo en particulier s’explique par l’extension de la culture du coton par les acteurs agricoles de cette région. Sur la base de méthodes quantitatives et qualitatives, les données empiriques ont été collectées à partir des registres de production des ménages, des ventes et des personnes ressources. Les questionnaires ont été utilisés comme l’un des outils de collecte de données.

Mots clés : Production cotonnière, territorial, identité culturelle, Gobo, Extrème-Nord.