Analysis of maize farming systems in Cameroon and drivers of productivity

Maize as a staple crop contributes significantly to ensuring food security and supporting the livelihoods of many smallholder farmers in Cameroon. However, its productivity is influenced by socioeconomic, agricultural, institutional and climatic factors. This study characterises maize farming systems across four agroecological zones (AEZs) (Bimodal, Highlands, Monomodal, and Sahelian) and evaluates the factors affecting maize yield. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, data was gathered from 303 maize-farming households and analysed using descriptive statistics, Welch-ANOVA and ANCOVA. Results revealed significant differences in the gender, level of education, household size, farming experience and annual income of farmers across AEZs. Similarly, access to institutional services varied significantly: Sahelian farmers had more access to extension (89.4%) and credit (44.7%), and Bimodal farmers, to market (93.1%). Farm sizes varied from 0.7 (Monomodal) to 2.1 hectares (Sahelian) and yields from 0.9 to 3.2 tonnes/hectares. Most farmers preferred local varieties with varying adoption rates of improved varieties across AEZs (10.6-47.7%). The growing season differed across AEZs but was longest in the Sahelian zone (21.2 weeks). Farmers in this zone do not practise intercropping while less than half of those in Monomodal zone use fertilisers (40.7%) and pesticides (38.4%). Maize is primarily stored in polypropylene bags especially in Bimodal (67.8%) and Sahelian (87.2%) zones, but traditional granaries are common in the Highlands (53.0%). ANCOVA (R² = 0.614) identified farm size (β = 2.372, p < 0.001), credit access (β = 2.598, p < 0.01), and economic status (β = 1.853, p < 0.05) as significant drivers of maize productivity, while household labour has a marginally significant negative effect (β = -0.180, p = 0.077). The marginal effect of Sahelian zone on productivity (β = -2.236, p = 0.078) points to the potential impact of harsh and arid climatic conditions on maize yield. These findings highlight the need for targeted measures that consider zone-specific challenges and opportunities to enhance maize yield in Cameroon and provides valuable insights to inform policies aimed to improve agricultural productivity and food security in similar context across Central Africa.