238 Fuelwood in the Maroua area of the Far North Province of Cameroonpermits to exploit the fuelwood resource. The introduction of rational
management of the fuelwood resource, including the issuance of permits and
better management of the product, would help to stabilize markets, market
values, and ensure a steady supply of fuelwood.CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT LESSONS OF CASE
Jobs and employment
The fuelwood sector employs many men, women, and children in both rural
and urban areas, offering both temporary and permanent employment
opportunities. It is important economically because it offers an immediate
source of income to the exploiters. Delinquency is reduced through employment
in this interesting and financially rewarding work in the many otherwise
unemployed young men who form the majority of the commercial sector.Capital generation, risk minimization and business and industry
The exploiters generated social, physical and financial capital. Because of the
income afforded, they were able to maintain minimum savings on which they
could draw for emergencies or sudden need. However, the income afforded is
not large, and the structure of the sector does not lead to increased choice
and work opportunities, as the production-to-consumption supply chain is very
short. No industrial, banking or lending institutions were developed as a result
of this product’s exploitation.
A side benefit to the crisis caused by the harvest of fuelwood was the
influx of many NGOs and projects into the study area, which made other
investments in the villages. They built houses, offices, trained villagers and
contributed to their livelihoods in different ways. Through studies on the
exploitation of fuelwood, measures were taken to remedy other serious
problems faced and identified by the villagers. Finally, the fuelwood markets
indirectly and directly increased the sales possibilities of other animal and
farm products in the villages.Capacity building
Both formal and informal education was gained by involvement in the fuelwood
sector. Informal education was obtained through interaction with buyers and
other exploiters. Participants were exposed to and learned to speak other
languages, developed better bargaining abilities and came to know more about
the currency. Many immigrants (mostly Chadians and Arabs) have come to the
main producing zones through this sector. Their involvement has brought new
ideas into the villages and increased the level of social interaction of the
villagers with other people. Some parents sponsored their children through
wood sales, while others received training on tree planting and agricultural
techniques from the conservation and development projects that have come
to fight against environmental degradation.13fuelwood.p65 238 22/12/2004, 11:05