Title: Multifunctionality and socio-economic sustainability of farms: the case of horticulture in Cameroon

Authors: Archimède Mbogning Genang; Hilaire Nkengfack; Armand Gilbert Noula

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 110, Dschang, Cameroon ' Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 110, Dschang, Cameroon ' Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 110, Dschang, Cameroon

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between multifunctionality and agricultural sustainability using horticultural farms in Cameroon as a case study. To do so, we adopt a methodology that combines analytical and systemic approaches. Our results show that the horticultural farms surveyed are variously multifunctional but all contribute to food security and generate income. However, only 7.6% of these farms are economically and socially sustainable. Multifunctionality thus appears to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for sustainability. Finally, an improvement in the positive intra- and inter-dimensional influences of multiple functions on farm performance as well as a better cohesion between the elements of the farming system will significantly improve their sustainability.

Keywords: multifunctionality; sustainability; horticultural farms; farming system; performance; urban agriculture; peri-urban agriculture; Cameroon.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2022.124643

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2022 Vol.18 No.3, pp.219 - 245

Received: 04 Sep 2020
Accepted: 28 Sep 2021
Published online: 31 Jul 2022 *

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