Social soundness analysis of the west benoue integrated rural development proposal, and suggestions for alternative interventions in Margui - Wandala

The project"s purpose is to encourage 20,000 farm families in the heavily populated Mandara Mountain (Marqui Wandala) area of Cameroon to relocate in the underdeveloped, sparsely inhabited West Benoue Plains region. This prefeasibiltiy study argues against the project, pointing out that the terraced farming currently practiced in the northern Mandara mountain region is labor-intensive, ecologically sound, and benefits soil conditions. A decrease in population would seriously jeopardize maintenance of the terraced complex. Moreover, natives of the northern region are generally unwilling to leave their homeland. The report recommends that AID defer a feasibility study and, rather, provide interventions (wells, chemical food preservatives, health care delivery) for the northern region. The report supplements its discussion of the above findings and recommendations with historical and sociological data pertinent to the proposed relocation.