Changes and the Future of Peasant Communities in Yabassi-Bafang Project

The Yabassi-Bafang Project was a targeted agricultural settlement initiative launched by the government in 1966. The success of this project was facilitated by favorable physical and human conditions, and above all by the presence of a management agency for the area. The resulting influx of settlers even extended into neighboring countries. Thanks to the pioneers' drive, approximately 50,000 hectares of forest were put to productive use. An assessment of this pioneering operation reveals mixed results. In 1988, SODENKAM was dissolved, and the consequences extended beyond the Yabassi-Bafang Operation to affect the entire Nkondjock region. To cope with the new situation, the pioneers-suddenly abandoned-organized themselves according to their own logic. But difficulties on all fronts continued to mount. The future of this long-supported community would depend on the location and demographics of each village, as well as external factors. While some villages offer favorable prospects, others, on the other hand, raise concerns. Some solutions to the area's problems involve farmer self-management, diversification of activities, and improving access to the region.