Dangerous Assumptions. The Agroecology and Ethnobiology of Traditional Polyculture Cassava ...

416 Pages·2010·4.08 MB·English

Dangerous Assumptions.
The Agroecology and Ethnobiology of
Traditional Polyculture Cassava Systems in
Rural Cameroon and Implications of Green
Revolution Technologies for Sustainability,
Food Security, and Rural Welfare

Regina Nchang Ntumngia
Thesis committee

Thesis supervisor
Prof. dr. Patricia L. Howard
Professor of Gender Studies in Agriculture
Wageningen University

Thesis co-supervisor
Dr. Lisa M.L. Price
Associate Professor, Sociology of Consumers and Households
Wageningen University

Other members
Prof. dr. ir. Han W.M. van Dijk, Wageningen University
Dr. ir. Bert Visser, Plant Research International, Wageningen
Dr. Gary Martin, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent at
Canterbury, UK
Dr. Rajindra Puri, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent at
Canterbury, UK

This research was conducted under the auspices of the Research School for Resource
Studies in Development (CERES)
Dangerous Assumptions.
The Agroecology and Ethnobiology of
Traditional Polyculture Cassava Systems in
Rural Cameroon and Implications of Green
Revolution Technologies for Sustainability,
Food Security, and Rural Welfare

Regina Nchang Ntumngia

Thesis
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of doctor
at Wageningen University
by the authority of the Rector Magnificus
Prof. dr. M.J. Kropff
in the presence of the
Thesis Committee appointed by the Academic Board
to be defended in public
on Monday 6 December 2010
at 11 a.m. in the Aula.
Regina Nchang Ntumngia
Dangerous Assumptions. The Agroecology and Ethnobiology of Traditional Polyculture
Cassava Systems in Rural Cameroon and Implications of Green Revolution Technologies
for Sustainability, Food Security, and Rural Welfare.
392 pages.

Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, NL (2010)
With references, with summaries in Dutch and English

ISBN 978-90-8585-842-3
Dedication

TO

My Late Father, Papa Ntumngia Samuel Ngwa.

My Mother, Mami Phoebe Bih Ntumngia

My Four Children

Shu Sidney Ngwa
Shu Rhim Suh Ngu’eh
Shu Reynard Neba Tanifum
Shu Elkyie Yollande Ngum
and

My Friend, Eelkje van de Helm

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II
Acknowledgements

This work could not have been accomplished without the assistance of various insti-
tutions and persons. My sincere gratitude goes to you all. I am highly indebted to my spon-
sors: the Wageningen University Sandwich Fellowship Programme for granting me the
opportunity to undertake a PhD study programme at the Wageningen University; to the
African Women in Agriculture and the Environment (AWLAE)/WINROCK International
Fellowship Programme for the partial but timely scholarship awarded to me at a time when
all my hopes of completing the PhD were almost lost; to the Department of Social Sciences
at Wageningen University and to CERES Research School for the financial support provid-
ed when needed. My appreciation also goes to the Brazilian Government through the Uni-
versity of Brasilia and Professor Nagib Nassar, the African Crop Science Society (ACSS),
to RUFURUM and to CTA Netherlands, and to the LEB Foundation of Wageningen Uni-
versity for funding my participation and the presentation of scientific papers at various in-
ternational conferences.
I gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Cameroon Govern-
ment in the form of paid study leave, which was often granted through the Ministry of Ag-
riculture and Rural Development.
I am deeply indebted to my supervisors, Professor Dr. Patricia Howard and Associ-
ate Professor Dr. Lisa Leimar Price, for their relentless efforts in supervising the realisation
of this thesis. Although managing your diverse temperaments and personalities was at times
more challenging than writing up the thesis, I must admit that the quality of the work that
we have produced makes me feel as if I am on top of the world. I say ‘bravo’ to three great
women!!!!
Professor Dr. Patricia Howard, our moments of disagreement, reprimand, apologies,
and collaboration for the past 12 years were not destructive of ourselves or our objectives,
but drove us to attain a common goal. In friendship, we disagreed to agree, as you once
rightly said. I admire your high level of intelligence, your personality, your capacity for
analysing a situation, the breadth of your knowledge, and your forgiveness. You are my
role model. This PhD writing process has groomed me to negotiate a win-win rather than a
win-lose position.
Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Leimar Price, I thank you for helping me become an
ethnobiologist. Your insistence in getting me to understand the principles and applications
of the methodologies that I used in this research has greatly enriched me. I have understood
that obtaining a PhD degree means becoming an independent researcher with less depend-
ence on one’s supervisors. Apart from being my co-promoter, you facilitated the process of
obtaining my PhD degree by your timely negotiation of partial funding by the
AWLAE/WINROCK Fellowship Programme.
My appreciation goes to my country promoter, Dr. James Gockowoski, for helping
me out during the early stages of data collection in Cameroon and facilitating access to
IITA – Yaoundé facilities.
I am highly indebted to Dr. Rajindra Puri for his patience in guiding me through the
ANTHROPAC programme. Your timely intervention, which clarified doubts between my
supervisors and I, is highly appreciated.
My special thanks go to the Coordinator (with Dr. Price) of the AWLAE Pro-
gramme at the Wageningen University and the Chair of the Sociology of Consumers and
Household Group, Professor Anke Niehof, for accepting me as a scholar in this programme.
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Anke, you constantly served as the link between I, the Cameroon Government, and the
Netherlands Embassy in Cameroon.
I am highly indebted to all of the male and female farmers of Koudandeng and Mal-
ende/Yoke villages who willingly worked with me despite the tedious nature of my survey
questionnaires. Special thanks go to Onana Emilienne, Ayissi Nga Joseph, Bilogue Cécile,
Ndjodo Régine, Nkada Fidir Gertrude, Marie-Loiuse Binyeli, Tomo Claire, and Ntigi Marie
who sometimes aided me as interpreters and special advisers. Chief Onana Enounga Dieu-
donné (of blessed memory) and Chief Enounga Tsala of Koudandeng (whose house was the
main source of accommodation for I and my research assistants stayed) and Mr. Onguene
Jean, Reagent of Koudandeng are acknowledged. To Papa Bonaventure, popularly known
as “the Wise Papa,” your words of wisdom gave me great insights into the culture (tradi-
tional beliefs, norms, and values) of the people of Koudandeng.
My research assistants are not left out of this acknowledgement: Endouh Anna, Sofa
Caroline, Tamnjong Melanie, Mr. Mbuh and all of the staff of the Sub-divisional Delega-
tion of Agriculture for Muyuka.
The Kimeng’s family and members of the Monte Juvance prayer cell are strongly
acknowledged for their supportive prayers. Bro, Kimeng, your prayers were so timely and
rejuvenated me.
To my boss, the Sub-director of Agricultural Extension, Mr. Mbili Oloume Jean-
Pierre: you were a source of inspiration for me. My colleagues and all the members of the
scientific community with whom I met throughout my research and thesis write-up who
provided comments that were sometimes very inspiring and sometimes discouraging, but
always highly appreciated. Dr. Koudande Olouronto Delphin deserves my appreciation. I
wish to extend my special thanks to Mrs. Bene Ebolo Bilounga Angeline for the assistance
in providing any missing data when needed and seeing to the welfare of my children in Ya-
ounde.
To my European mother-in-law (in the African sense) and friend, Eelkje van der
Helm, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the love and care you have given me for
the past 15 years in our close relationship. Your regular financial contributions toward the
education of my children greatly facilitated my studies away from home. To Akongnwi van
Kempen and family, and Johannes van Kempen and Illona and family, I wish to extend my
gratitude for the love and care given to me during my studies in the Netherlands.
My parents: papa Ntumngia Samuel Ngwa and mama Ntumngia Phoebe Bih are
highly honoured. Papa, you relentlessly taught your seven children the spirit of hard work,
striving for excellence and maintaining their integrity, but unfortunately, you did not live
long enough to see your dreams come true. Mama, thank you for being my friend, moral
guide as well as being my financial supporter despite my social status. Special apprecia-
tions go to my four children: Shu Sidney Ngwa, Shu Rhim Suh Ngu’eh, Shu Reynard Neba
Tanifum and Shu Elkyie Yollande Ngum for accepting me as a career developing mother
and my success as a challenge.
The descendants of the Ntumngia and Ngwabang families cannot go unmentioned
for their untiring support and prayers throughout my PhD programme. Special appreciation
goes to my elder sister, Mankaa Fokwa Helen, to my kid brother, Ntumngia Godlove
Ngwa, and to my kid sister Asombang Perpetua Ngum for the moral, spiritual and financial
support for my children and me. My kid sister, Ntumngia Florence Siri, I say thank you for
playing the role of mother for my children while I was away. Henry, Nixon and Irene
Ntumngia are also gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks go to Neba Bongnwi, Atoh,
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Kaunda Ngwa, and Fuhngwa Samuel for giving the family love that I needed while in the
UK.
My sincere gratitude goes to the Jato family for providing me with food and shelter
in the UK when I faced difficulties. Nerys, I appreciate the level of encouragement that you
gave me when I almost gave up completing my thesis work. I learned from you as a young-
er sister to not let people trample on me, but to defend my rights and my personality. Pheo-
nix, your constant questioning when I planned to return to my country spurred me to work
harder. Baby Rayven (alias Professor), you were my greatest companion, and I miss you.
Alfred, thank you for being such a wonderful brother-in-law.
Nfor Kelvin Ngwa and Berynui Clarizia, I bless you for the love you showed me
while I was in the UK. Kelvin, thank you for helping me with packing and transporting my
luggage.
I will not end these words of acknowledgement without thanking Nico Stutterheim,
Professor Patricia Howard’s husband, for not only allowing his wife to supervise my work,
but also reading and guiding me on sections of my agroecology chapter which was so new
to me. You accepted all the challenges and conflicts that arose in love and with pity.
All my friends of the Wageningen family cannot be left out. I specifically say thank
you to Hedy Munro, Maurice Gogan Fredjus, Professor Patricia Howard’s students: Diana
Lopez Alizan and Gabriele Volpato and the AWLAE ladies, especially Stephanie Duku,
Chief Ekaete Udong, Maiga Mariame, Challe Joyce, Akrofi Suzy, Rose Fagbemassi, Nami-
zata Binate, Aifa Ndoye, and Gaynor Paradza. The journey was not easy, but the Lord saw
some of you through and for those who have not yet submitted a thesis, He will also see
you through.
Special thanks to my office mate at the University of Kent, Graciela and family (Di-
ego, Jaime) for the love you showed to me. Graciela, I wish you success during the defence
of your thesis.
My friends in Cameroon are not left out. Special appreciation goes to Ful Tosam
Rose, Ndikontar Alice, Njeba Patience, and members of Caring Sisters Association and
members of Mother is Gold Yaounde–Cameroon for your support and prayers.

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