An Anthropological Perspective of Power Dynamics and Conflicts in Smallholder Plantation Agriculture in Africa: The Case of Mbandjock, Cameroon

Bonuh Che Clement and Exodus Tikere Moffor
Additional contact information
Bonuh Che Clement: The Department of Academic Affairs and Cooperation, The University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
Exodus Tikere Moffor: The Department of Anthropology, The University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon

Technium Sustainability, 2025, vol. 9, 82-106

Abstract: This article investigates the power dynamics and conflicts arising in smallholder plantation agriculture in Mbandjock, Cameroon. Smallholder plantations agriculture everywhere in the world including Mbandjock help to ensure food security. The smallholder plantations agriculture in Mbandjock, Cameroon, have seen significant growth, yet the emerging power dynamics and conflicts within this sector have received little attention. The questions are; What are the perceptions of stakeholders in smallholder plantations agriculture in Mbandjock? What are the changes which are currently going on in smallholder plantations agriculture in Mbandjock? What are the causes of conflict in these smallholder plantations in Mbandjock? The study seeks to examine; the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours of stakeholders involved in the emerging plantations in the region, the changes which are taking place in these smallholder plantations, and the sources of conflicts in the smallholder plantations. The research was purely qualitative in which we used methods such as observation, interviews and photography to collect data. This data was analysed using content analysis and interpreted using the theories of cultural dynamics of Balandier and the conflict of Marx. Major findings reveal that smallholder plantations have brought about new power dynamics across political, spiritual, economic, and social spheres, leading to significant lifestyle changes. Land grabbing has occurred under two distinct land tenure laws; customary and state laws, resulting in conflicts between the indigenes and administrative, political, and traditional authorities. This study highlights the complex interplay between power dynamics and conflicts within smallholder plantation agriculture in Mbandjock, Cameroon. It emphasizes the necessity for further research and policy interventions to address these challenges.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://techniumscience.com/index.php/sustainability/article/view/12832 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tec:sustai:ojs:12832

DOI: 10.47577/sustainability.v9i.12832

Access Statistics for this article

Technium Sustainability is currently edited by Tasente Tanase

More articles in Technium Sustainability from Technium Science
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Tasente Tanase ( this e-mail address is bad, please contact ).