Marketing of smallholder natural rubber: An essential factor in the development of Cameroonian rubber-growing

摘要

In this study, we investigated how natural rubber marketing conditions affect the development of rubber smallholdings in Cameroon. To that end, we analysed the results of two surveys, conducted in 2002 and 2004, among rubber smallholders in Southwest province. The results showed that the observed marketing conditions led to practices with unfavourable financial consequences for farmers, notably in terms of cash flow. Although problems were exacerbated during the study period by low price levels up to 2002, guaranteeing good marketing conditions appears to be a prerequisite for the development of rubber smallholdings.