Dangerous Assumptions. the Agroecology and Ethnobiology Of

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 I 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 provided 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 international 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. III 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 (traditional 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, IV 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.

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