ISSN 2360-798X
Abstract
Most developing countries are yet to come to terms with the daunting predicament of mastering food security in face of astronomic population growth. This is evident in the South West Region of Cameroon where persistent low yields of Colocasia esculenta crop cultivated in the inland wetlands on the north eastern and southern slopes of Mount Cameroon have brought untold suffering to over 60% of the inhabitants by pushing them to greater levels of poverty. The objectives of this study were to determine the cause of the wilting of Colocasia esculenta crop cultivated in the inland wetlands in the region, analyse farmers’ perception, attitude and response to the problem, evaluate its impact on the inhabitants and propose tenable solutions. Detailed reconnaissance survey and laboratory analysis of physico-chemical properties and microbial quality of Colocasia esculenta, water and soil samples revealed that Pythium myriotylum, a pseudo fungus is possibly assisting in the decimation of the Colocasia esculenta crop cultivated in the region. The paper therefore attempts to suggest some alternative measures that could be adopted which provide food security to the inhabitants, increase household incomes and curb environmental degradation.
Keywords: Colocasia esculenta, food security, wetlands, environmental degradation, Pythium myriotylum, sustainability.