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Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is replete with significant environmental resources including forests, water, land, and energy; although its transition to a bio-resource economy is yet to be actualized. Consequently, there are limited socio-economic gains from resource valorization. These challenges which stall progress towards the attainment of several interlinked sustainable development goals, are rooted, among others in resource governance defects. Furthermore, the persistence of knowledge fragmentation on resource governance shades possibilities for an in-depth theorizing of the nexus approach. In this light, two questions beg for answers: (i) To what extent are governance indicators captured in empirical studies on the nexus approach in SSA? (ii) What questions and approaches should inform future research on the nexus approach in SSA? To answer these questions, this paper systematically reviews 100 peer-reviewed articles (with 154 cases) that address governance questions in nexus studies within the broad framework of bioeconomy transitioning in SSA. Using the PROFOR analytical framework, our analysis reveals the following: (1) Although sub-regional variations exist in the application of nexus thinking, the overall emphasis in SSA is on first-level resource transformation. (2) With only 5% of studies explicitly mentioning the nexus approach, there is a strong indication for nexus thinking to be prioritized in future research. (3) While efficiency is the most recurrent in the literature (69%), its assurance in resource nexus and transformation is insignificant. (4) Interlinked questions of equity, participation, transparency, and conflict management have not been sufficiently addressed in studies on the nexus approach. The paper suggests an urgent need for in-depth, multi-country, and interdisciplinary research on these governance parameters in the nexus approach, as prerequisite to advancing the science–policy intercourse in nexus thinking in SSA.

Agro-based climate adaptation has gained traction in scholarly and policy circles, albeit with limited comprehensive empirical evidence on the pathways of crop sector-specific adaptation approaches in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To stem this knowledge gap, this study examines the evolution of farm-based climate adaptation practices in the vegetable subsector of Cameroon’s western highlands. Specifically, we (i) explore the different adaptation practices, (ii) estimate the determinants of farm-based adaptation, and (iii) determine the effects of farm-based adaptation on vegetable performance. Data were collected from a representative sample of farming households (N = 150) in two communities using a semi-structured questionnaire, complemented by key informant interviews (N = 10) and focus group discussions (N = 5). The Product Moment Correlation established an evolution from traditional practices to more modern scientific practices with changing climate, as vegetable farmers shifted from using local seeds to improved ones, intensified pest control strategies and adopted water pump-based irrigation practices. The binary logistic regression model revealed that belonging to farming groups, increase in income and access to credit significantly explained farm-based adaptation (p = 0.041). Furthermore, farm-based practices were significantly reflected in crop performance, mirrored through an increase in vegetable quantity (p = 0.003) and perceived quality (p = 0.046). The results suggest the need for further research to blend traditional and conventional adaptation approaches, and to create enabling environments to foster social capital (belonging to groups) and access to credit as key levers for climate-resilient vegetable production in the western highlands of Cameroon.

In spite of growing scholarship on environmentally induced non-migration research in Africa, comprehensive empirical evidence of non-migration drivers is extremely difficult to find. We review 77 rigorously selected empirical articles on the drivers of environmental non-migration. A variety of relevant keywords was applied to search, identify, and select key publications from ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and the Climig databases. Content analysis and inter-rater reliability (IRR) analysis were used to summarize the literature and identify key drivers of environmental non-migration decisions across all retained articles. The study structure was informed by the Foresight (2011a) conceptual framework. A growth in the non-migration literature across the time period was observed. Social factors, particularly place-based attachment and family/cultural obligations, was identified as the most important driver of non-migration (IRR score = 0.67). Environmental factors were ranked second, particularly the ability of the affected to develop coping capacity through experiential learning even in contexts marred by resource scarcity and widespread poverty. Given the limited literature on environmental nonmigration decisions, we recommend increased non-migration research across Africa to better inform policy decisions. This is particularly important as climate-related disasters surge. Frequent reviews on diverse aspects of non-migration studies are recommended to redefine future research and non-migration policy considerations in Africa.

In spite of growing scholarship on environmentally induced non-migration research in Africa, comprehensive empirical evidence of non-migration drivers is extremely difficult to find. We review 77 rigorously selected empirical articles on the drivers of environmental non-migration. A variety of relevant keywords was applied to search, identify, and select key publications from ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and the Climig databases. Content analysis and inter-rater reliability (IRR) analysis were used to summarize the literature and identify key drivers of environmental non-migration decisions across all retained articles. The study structure was informed by the Foresight (2011a) conceptual framework. A growth in the non-migration literature across the time period was observed. Social factors, particularly place-based attachment and family/cultural obligations, was identified as the most important driver of non-migration (IRR score = 0.67). Environmental factors were ranked second, particularly the ability of the affected to develop coping capacity through experiential learning even in contexts marred by resource scarcity and widespread poverty. Given the limited literature on environmental nonmigration decisions, we recommend increased non-migration research across Africa to better inform policy decisions. This is particularly important as climate-related disasters surge. Frequent reviews on diverse aspects of non-migration studies are recommended to redefine future research and non-migration policy considerations in Africa.

Purpose: Gender differences in access to and repayment of loans seem to be the reason behind the persistent subsistence and small-scale nature of most agribusinesses in Cameroon. This study examines access to and repayment of agricultural credit in the face of COVID 19 in the West Region of Cameroon building on evidence from selected microfinance institutions in the West Region of Cameroon. Specifically, the study mirrors gender differences in microfinance loan disbursements and repayments, determinants of loan repayment, and constraints to loan access and loan repayment during the period of COVID 19. Method: The purposive sampling technique was employed to select 100 farmers who had access to agricultural credit in three villages in the West Region of Cameroon. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for primary data collection and secondary data was collected from microfinance institutions and the internet. Collected data were analyzed employing tables, frequencies, t-test, and regression analysis. Results: Findings indicated that there was a positive insignificant difference in the amount of credit received and repaid by male farmers than that of the female farmers. The male and female have equal access to credit and the same repayment capacities (R2 = 0.55 or 55%). Loan repayment was statistically and significantly determined by loan amount, interest rate, and time lag for repayment at the 5% significance level. Serious constraints to loan access were lack of sensitization, lack of collateral security, and illiteracy while major constraints to loan repayment were family commitment, price fluctuation, crop failure, high cost of production, and interest payment. Implications: Increasing the ceiling for loan amount approved for farmers and curbing excessive bureaucratic procedures would ensure minimal diversion of the loans, higher income for the farmers, and hence better repayment rates. Originality: The distinctiveness of this study is viewed from the context of the

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is replete with significant environmental resources including forests, water, land, and energy; although its transition to a bio-resource economy is yet to be actualized. Consequently, there are limited socio-economic gains from resource valorization. These challenges which stall progress towards the attainment of several interlinked sustainable development goals, are rooted, among others in resource governance defects. Furthermore, the persistence of knowledge fragmentation on resource governance shades possibilities for an in-depth theorizing of the nexus approach. In this light, two questions beg for answers: (i) To what extent are governance indicators captured in empirical studies on the nexus approach in SSA? (ii) What questions and approaches should inform future research on the nexus approach in SSA? To answer these questions, this paper systematically reviews 100 peer-reviewed articles (with 154 cases) that address governance questions in nexus studies within the broad framework of bioeconomy transitioning in SSA. Using the PROFOR analytical framework, our analysis reveals the following: (1) Although sub-regional variations exist in the application of nexus thinking, the overall emphasis in SSA is on first-level resource transformation. (2) With only 5% of studies explicitly mentioning the nexus approach, there is a strong indication for nexus thinking to be prioritized in future research. (3) While efficiency is the most recurrent in the literature (69%), its assurance in resource nexus and transformation is insignificant. (4) Interlinked questions of equity, participation, transparency, and conflict management have not been sufficiently addressed in studies on the nexus approach. The paper suggests an urgent need for in-depth, multi-country, and interdisciplinary research on these governance parameters in the nexus approach, as prerequisite to advancing the science–policy intercourse in nexus thinking in SSA.

Agro-based climate adaptation has gained traction in scholarly and policy circles, albeit with limited comprehensive empirical evidence on the pathways of crop sector-specific adaptation approaches in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To stem this knowledge gap, this study examines the evolution of farm-based climate adaptation practices in the vegetable subsector of Cameroon’s western highlands. Specifically, we (i) explore the different adaptation practices, (ii) estimate the determinants of farm-based adaptation, and (iii) determine the effects of farm-based adaptation on vegetable performance. Data were collected from a representative sample of farming households (N = 150) in two communities using a semi-structured questionnaire, complemented by key informant interviews (N = 10) and focus group discussions (N = 5). The Product Moment Correlation established an evolution from traditional practices to more modern scientific practices with changing climate, as vegetable farmers shifted from using local seeds to improved ones, intensified pest control strategies and adopted water pump-based irrigation practices. The binary logistic regression model revealed that belonging to farming groups, increase in income and access to credit significantly explained farm-based adaptation (p = 0.041). Furthermore, farm-based practices were significantly reflected in crop performance, mirrored through an increase in vegetable quantity (p = 0.003) and perceived quality (p = 0.046). The results suggest the need for further research to blend traditional and conventional adaptation approaches, and to create enabling environments to foster social capital (belonging to groups) and access to credit as key levers for climate-resilient vegetable production in the western highlands of Cameroon.

Newly created earth roads are fundamental facilitators for development in many developing countries. However, positive or negative environmental and human impacts accompany its construction. This study investigated the assessment of the possible environmental and human impacts of the 70 km Benakuma-Bawuro-Akwaya earth road construction project in Cameroon. The study employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected using interviews, road observation and questionnaire. Result of the study reveals that inhabitants were not motivated from the destruction of their properties. Water pollution, the destruction of water sources, Soil and farms pollution/destruction and fauna and flora destruction were identified as major negative environmental impacts, while human damages were recorded mainly in the domains of housing and changing Socio-cultural and demographic features. The total cost of destruction accessed using the EIA was far more than the government estimation called “compensation cost”. In conclusion, the implementation of Impacts Assessment prior to, during and after the construction of newly earth roads would encouraged a stronger participation of beneficiary communities to optimize positive pre and post construction benefits and minimize negative ones; while reducing possible pressure on evaluators and minimizing corruption avenues which can be very common in developing countries. Key-words: Earth road construction, pollution, impact assessment

Newly created earth roads are fundamental facilitators for development in many developing countries. However, positive or negative environmental and human impacts accompany its construction. This study investigated the assessment of the possible environmental and human impacts of the 70 km Benakuma-Bawuro-Akwaya earth road construction project in Cameroon. The study employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected using interviews, road observation and questionnaire. Result of the study reveals that inhabitants were not motivated from the destruction of their properties. Water pollution, the destruction of water sources, Soil and farms pollution/destruction and fauna and flora destruction were identified as major negative environmental impacts, while human damages were recorded mainly in the domains of housing and changing Socio-cultural and demographic features. The total cost of destruction accessed using the EIA was far more than the government estimation called “compensation cost”. In conclusion, the implementation of Impacts Assessment prior to, during and after the construction of newly earth roads would encouraged a stronger participation of beneficiary communities to optimize positive pre and post construction benefits and minimize negative ones; while reducing possible pressure on evaluators and minimizing corruption avenues which can be very common in developing countries. Key-words: Earth road construction, pollution, impact assessment