Bush Mango (Irvingia spp.) As an Important Alternative Livelihood Source for the Indigenes of the Korup National Park Communities, South West Cameroon

The management of natural resources in developing nations is a complex task if we consider the dependency ratio of the local population on the resources and the governance of natural resources [1]. Cameroonians especially the local people in the forest areas strongly rely on NTFPs for their food, medicines, and local construction material [2, 3]. Bush mango is an important NTFP whose kernels are popularly used as soup thickener and for slimy consistency of sauces in African cuisine. Recently, research has shown that bush mango kernels can reduce obesity, control appetite, and reduce fat and cholesterol in humans [3]. It has been used for time immemorial for subsistence, income generation, medicine, and wood for construction.  Rainy season and dry season bush mangoes are two local forest tree species, economically important for their fruits which are both called “bush mango”. Apart from morphological differences, the two species differ in that one produces fruit in the wet season (rainy season bush mango) and the other in the dry season (dry season bush mango) [4]. Collectors, along with many animal species are active agents involved in the efficient rainy season bush mango seed dispersion in the wild, thus increasing the abundance in the natural forests [4].

Bush mango had experienced an increasing market demand in the last twenty years but production is limited to traditional processing techniques and this and other problems have constrained productivity, output and income earned by collectors [3]. Collection and trade of the resource has evolved overtime with more stakeholders getting involved in the business as well as individuals exerting ownership of trees in farmlands acquired from conversion of forest. Rainy season bush mango flowers between February and March and fruits in the rainy season between July and September when it is collected, while dry season bush mango flowers in October and fruits in the dry season between January and March when it is collected [5-7]. Majority of collectors collect rainy season bush mango from the wild or communal lands and very few collected from bush mango plantations [8]. There was need to integrate the bush mango species into different cropping systems in order to reduce pressure on the protected species in the national park [2]. Innovations in favour of modern processing equipment will ensure enhanced income and better life for the producers [9].

This innovation is highly needed because the market and processing accidents were the main constraining factors in the processing of bush mango [10]. A mounted device (machine) for cracking of bush mango, whose performance characteristics showed 100% efficiency, with kernel breakage estimated at 24% was produced by Ogunsina et al. [11]. This excellent technology highly solicited for the processing of bush mango is still very scarce and a good number of collectors in the bush mango sector are not aware. Transforming kernels into new products demands a lot of time and effort [12]; poor storage facilities contributed to reducing kernel life span and spoilage of the products within short period from production. This precipitates quick transportation and sale of bush mango during lower prices [13]. Bush mango kernel quantities over the last five years have been increasing [13] and its marketing is a female oriented enterprise with about 90% women involved in the trade [14]. The main determinants of the selling price for bush mango kernels were the cost price of the commodity and transportation cost.

Bush mango value chain in the South West Region was studied by Ewane et al. [15], who established the added value from collections, processing, storage, transformation and marketing. The income made by the different actors involved in the chain was also accessed. Tataw et al. [3] also conducted a similar study on bush mango which they identified the main production zones and market chains in the South West Region. Amongst the production zones identified, were the Takamanda and Korup National Park areas. The studies of Ewane et al. [15] and Tataw et al. [3] did not lay enfaces on conservation of natural resources. Nfornkah et al. [4] examined the bush mango sustainability and indigenous knowledge promoting kernels exploitation and their influence on resource conservation in the Takamanda National Park (TNP) and found that the local people organised themselves through their village traditional councils to create bush mango governance, which enables them resolve conflicts, increase production, ensures sustainability of bush mango. Nfornkah et al. [16] also accessed NTFPs potentials in quantities and income per peak season in the Takamanda National Park Communities (TNPCs). From these two studies carried out by Nfornkah et al. [16] and corroborators, it was noted that more essential information such as: exploitation, marketing, sustainability, indigenous governance, constraints and opportunities of bush mango were meticulously diagnosed; which can be exploited by decision makers to improve policies on conservation and living conditions of riverine people around protected areas. It was important to carry out more of such protected areas to at the end make a holistic judgment and backed it with policies that shall be workable for the benefit of conservation and livelihoods of riverine people.

The Kurop National Park was identified as a high NTFPs production zone [3]. The local people in and around the KNP have led their lives from gathering, hunting and agriculture. Hunting and gathering of NTFPs have been very lucrative in recent decades because of the high economic value, less bulky than agricultural products and high market demand in neighbouring Nigeria. Amongst these gathered NTFPs in the KNP, bush mango (Irvingia spp.) is the most lucrative and highly valued. The Korup National Park (KNP) is struggling to achieve its conservation goals with difficulties due to diverse threats emanating from human activities and unsustainable exploitation of NTFP that renders riverine population vulnerable, pushing them to continue illegal exploitation of protected resources. This pressure has threatened the protected resources in the KNP. The wealth of research across the South West and East Regions of Cameroon on bush mango exploitation, processing, marketing and sustainability leaves out the KNP and environs [2-4, 7]. Whereas a wider assessment of the value, threats and sustainability of bush mango and its contributions to the sustenance of rural livelihoods are important pillars to park management and conservation efforts. It is against this research gap that through a case study analysis of the KNP, the study sought to assess the bush mango value chain, which its promotion shall improve livelihood alternative source for subsistence, income generation, and conservation in KNP. The objectives of this study were set as to:

1. Identify actors/value chain and types of bush mango exploited;
2. Assess exploitation techniques and marketing processes;
3. Identify the constraints and propose solutions for the sustainable exploitation of bush mango in and around KNP.

The paper therefore is an added value to the plethora of research in the theme across the South West Region of Cameroon and adds baseline data towards the sustainable exploitation and management of NTFPs in and around protected areas. This will help in proper design of park management and conservation plans that address the needs and expectations of the forest communities and the sustenance of their livelihood within the context of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1.4, 15.1, 15.2 and 15.9).

3.1 Irvingia types and actors involved in exploitation in the KNPC

3.1.1 Irvingia types found in KNPC

Two (2) species of bush mango were found collected, processed and marketed in the KNPCs. These species were dry season bush mango (exotic species) and the rainy season bush mango (indigenous species). All 94 respondents were involved in the collection of the rainy season bush mango. About 36 (38%) out of 94 respondents were also involved in the collection of dry season bush mango from their farms. About 86% of the collectors admitted having cultivated dry season bush mango in their farms while about 54% had also cultivated rainy season bush mango. Bush mango value chain and actors involved within KNPCs. The bush mango value chain in the KNPCs clearly involved all the different stages of exploitation and marketing within the communities. This also involved the key actors in the exploitation and trade in bush mango within these communities. The key actors were collectors, Village traditional councils, cooperative and ordinary buyers and the park service. The value chain is represented in Figure 2. The following actors were identified in the value chain of bush mango sector: (1) Internal actors constituted of (i) collectors who are responsible for collection, processing, storage and sales of bush mango and (ii) village traditional council who regulated collection of bush mango in the communities and resolve related conflicts, and (2) External actors constituted of (i) FREPROM Cooperative: organisation of collectors, registering them, buying their kernels and training registered members on correct measuring scales and vessels; and (ii) Buyers: bought bush mango from collectors in the villages (iii) Park authority: regulated access rights into the National Park for collection via eco-guards.

3.1.2 Exploitation of bush mango in the KNPC

The custom of the people forbids the climbing of bush mango trees. So, collection method was gathering under the trees. In our study area, bush mango was collected in two major areas: natural forests (forest management unit (FMU 11005) and the Korup national park) and farm plots. Entry into the National park is forbidden by the Forestry and wildlife law of Cameroon but the indigenes disobeyed this law. Rainy season bush mango was collected in natural forests and farm plots while dry season bush mango was collected strictly in farm plots because there were planted buy owners. About 92% and 88% of collectors in Esukutan and Mbufong respectively collected rainy season bush mango in the national park (protected area) because their proximity to the FMU and Park. The low rate (28%) of rainy season bush mango collection in farms was because of the limited number of trees in farm plots. In years of low fruiting, collectors move deep into the KNP for collection. This is also associated with poaching of large mammals: elephant, buffalo, chimpanzee, etc. Only indigenes were allowed by the traditional councils to collect rainy season bush mango in the KNPC. An exception was noticed in Mbufong were strangers about 8% from Akwaya were permitted but after having spent two years in Mbufong. Collectors spent averagely 1-2 days (16%) respondents, 3-4 days (57%) and 5-6 days (27%) per week in bush mango collection. Collectors identified rainy season bush mango in the natural forests by (1) scent of ripen fruits; (2) information from hunters; (3) sound of fallen fruits; (4) during eru harvesting; (5) long period of experience in the forest; and (6) vocal sounds of different eaters (animals) on the trees. Collection, processing and storage techniques (Table 1) of bush mango were also practiced in the KNPC.

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Figure 2. Bush mango value chain in the KNPCs

Table 1. Techniques of collection, processing, drying and storage

3.2 Marketing of bush mango in the KNPC

The quality of bush mango kernels determined the selling price in the KNPC. Kernels were graded before buying. (1) Grade A form fruit splitting technique, sun dried; the kernels showed whitish colour, shiny, firm and solid cotyledons. (2) Grade B from fruit splitting or squeezed-cracked seeds, fire or barn dried, with yellowish colour, and solid cotyledons. (3) Grade C obtained from squeezed-cracked seeds, brownish-yellow or dark brown in colour due to poor sun light or fire during drying; which lead to attack by mould. The cotyledons are weak and dusty and depreciate rapidly within a week or two in storage. Despite the fluctuating prices of bush mango in the KNPC, the price difference between grade A & B & C always \$3 per content (vessel measuring 18kg of kernels). The prices offered for dried rainy season bush mango kernels in the rainy season varies from community to community. Those communities that were having easy accessed from Mamfe and Nigeria received high prices for their kernels than areas with difficult accessed. The prices of a content of rainy season bush mango fluctuated in the communities between \$ 34 and \$ 50. On an average, the highest selling price was in Babi with \$ 46, and the lowest selling price in Esukutan with \$ 40. The high price offered in Babi was due to her proximity to Mamfe and easy access, and can be reached there by motor bike. Esukutan received the lowest price (Table 2) because of her enclave nature and distance away from Mamfe and Nigeria.

The study communities produced an income of US \$ 770,578 per year from rainy season bush mango. Extrapolating to the full season in the whole KNPCs (one content ~18 kg). Each household (HH) produced an average of 38.4 contents (Table 2), it means (38.4 x 18) 691.2 kg /HH/season. For all the 376 collectors active in the 5 selected villages, it means (691.2 x 376) 259,891.2 kg per season for the 5 villages. Extrapolating to all 32 villages, if each village is considered having the same average number of active collectors, it means ((376/5) ~75 per village) than in the sampled (the 5 villages), it would mean that a total of (75 x 32) 2400 collectors; assuming the 5 villages selected are representative of the total number of villages (regarding bush mango collection), then the total quantity of bush mango kernels harvested from the KNP area (inside and outside KNP in the 32 villages surrounding the KNP) could be estimated to (691.2 x 2400) 1,658,880 kg or almost 1659 tons. For the total income per season, it means ((1,658,880 kg x \$ 42.4)/18 kg) \$ 3,907,584 per season per the whole KNP area (32 villages).

Two buyers were identified: FREPROM cooperative and ordinary buyers. Most of the household collectors (79%) sold their kernels to both buyers; 21% of the households sold to ordinary buyers (13%) and FREPROM (8%).

Table 2. Average quantity of rainy season bush mango kernels exploited and total revenue generated

3.3 Constraints of bush mango exploitation and indigenous remediation

3.3.1 Constraints in bush mango exploitation chain

Bush mango collection, processing, storage and marketing was flawed with some constraints (Table 3) in the KNPC. The statistical test of ANOVA brought out the level of significance of each constraint showing it strength. The strength of each constraint had a consequence in the bush mango value chain. During collection of rainy season bush mango, long distances to collection points and ants’ bites were the salient constraints encountered by collectors. During processing of bush mango injury accidents and lengthy time for processing were recorded as the prominent constraints; during storage, inadequate drying and long length of storage of rainy season bush mango constituted the highest constraints. Finally, in marketing, the greatest constraint was inadequate information on real market price.

Table 3. Constraints encountered in the Irvingia value chain in KNP communities

Bush mango resources (rainy and dry season bush mangoes) were found in the KNPCs, with rainy season bush mango very much abundant and exploited mostly from the wild. Actors of this resource were external (park service and buyers) and internal (collectors and village traditional councils). More bush mango was collected from the natural forests (protected area), leading to secondary activities as poaching of large mammals. Because of the highly beneficial value of bush mango as food, medicine, timber and income generation among others to the collectors, local denizens in the forest’s zones are beginning to establish mixed agroforestry plantations to ensure sustainable production of bush mango in KNPCs and Cameroon. Enclave communities in and around the natural forests produced more bush mango kernels but sold at lower prices due to difficult access. The entire KNPCs produced 1,658,880 kg or almost 1659 tons of bush mango kernels per peak season. For the total income per season, $ 3,907,584 was estimated in the communities. Exploitation and marketing of bush mango was flawed with several constraints needing rescue for the improvement of bush mango sector here. Based on the constraints identified in this study we recommend the cultivation and domestication of both bush mango species outside of the natural forests to increase economic returns in both seasons and reduce pressure on protected resources. Some research gaps for further investigation on the theme include: -

1. Inventory of the spatial extent of domestication of bush mango and its contributions to household income;
2. Investigation of the link between bush mango exploitation, poaching and loss of large mammals within forests and protected areas;
3. Also, the link between bush mango exploitation tracks in the forest and forest loss;
4. Relationships between land ownership rights, bush mango exploitation rights and conflicts in and around exploitation zones.