Soil, Water Pollution and Understanding Practices of IndigenousFarmers Tackling The Issues for Adaptation in the Peripheries ofNgaoundere Town City Adamawa Region–Cameroon

Abstract

ABSTRACT
As a part of the PHD and other national projects program, the study was carried on sequences of periods from 2015, 2018 and finished on December 2023. The peripheries of Ngaoundere city town, head quarter of the region of Adamawa Cameroon were the study areas. The paper described critical level of soils pollution or degradation and how traditional wells for drinkable water are exposed to air, are not protected from animals and human pollutants spread in the local communities. Indigenous farmers face a life-threatening conditions. To accommodate the issues, they adopted and applied traditional experiences for
sustainable soil productivity. These include tillage, variety of crops for specific landscapes, irrigating crops in dry season cultivation, intercropping systems, new seeds crops introduction, on plots rotating system with animal fertilizers, encouraging on planting trees all around the villages and the farm borders. Drinking water, they boil the water at 100%, or exposing the water to sun radiation for 2hours in the bucket, or filter the water through a cotton stuff. 

Local communities possess an intricate understanding of their local ecosystems that influence crop growth. Their knowledge guides them in selecting and adapting crops that thrive in their specific environments. By carefully observing nature, they have identified resilient varieties that can withstand pests, diseases, and unpredictable climate fluctuations. This selection process often prioritizes native and heirloom crops, which have evolved alongside indigenous communities for centuries. Supporting indigenous farmers’ rights, promoting fair trade, and acknowledging the intellectual property rights of indigenous communities are crucial steps towards protecting their traditional crop knowledge and their ecosystem for long term exploitation.

Collaborations between indigenous communities, scientists, and policymakers are essential to create platforms for knowledge exchange, empower indigenous farmers, and integrate traditional practices into modern agricultural systems. By embracing indigenous crop knowledge, societies can build resilient and sustainable food systems that respect biodiversity, cultural diversity, and the rights of indigenous peoples.