Planted forests
Description of plantation resources
Introduction
In 1995, approximately 40 percent of the land was covered with forest, excluding plantations (FAO, 1999). Government forest land, which is called Domaine Forestier Permanent (DFP), is managed by ONADEF (Office de Développement des Fôrets). Under ONADEF there is another organisation, called la Direction des Forêts, that is supposed to manage the DFP according to plan (Deodatus, 1999).
Development of forest plantations
The first plantation was established with Triplochiton scleroxylon in 1937 on publicly owned land. Around this area, several thousand additional ha of plantations have now been established.
During the 1950s, plantations were established with a variety of species such as Terminalia ivorensis, Aukoumea klaineana, Tectona grandis, Pinus spp., Meliaceae, Eucalyptus spp. and so on. In addition, Gmelina arborea was planted to produce matches. In 1972, Gmelina arborea plantations amounted to approximately 400 ha in the western part of the country.
After the Second World War, plantations to produce fuelwood, to protect soil and farmland and for other purposes were started with good results. Cassia siamea and Dalbergia sissoo turned out to be especially suitable.
In 1965, the Fonds National Forestier et Piscicole (National Fund for Forestry and Fishery) was established and this significantly increased the amount of planting and re-planting.
During the last several years, thanks to a new financial programme called "Sahel Vert", the number of plantations in the savannah zone has increased. Eucalyptus spp. were one of the most important species in the country in the savannah zone, but were damaged by termites and have now been replaced with other species (Deodatus, 1999).
Species composition
The most widely planted species is rubber, totalling about half the plantation area. Mainly broadleaved species are planted. Eucalyptus spp. supply 70 percent of the national demand for poles.
Trend
There are about 568 500 ha available for plantation establishment (Deodatus, 1999).
Issues
The most serious issue is the lack of funds for plantation management. Other problems include fires caused by people, exploitation and livestock damage.
Data collection has been abandoned or has not been well organised since 1990 because of an economic crisis. Land available for sustainable forest management is not well defined. Data regarding private plantations are almost unavailable (Deodatus, 1999).
References
Deodatus, F. 1999. FRA 2000 Collecte des Donnees Cameroun.
FAO. 1999. State of the World's Forests 1999.
IRSG. 1997. World rubber statistics handbook, Vol. 5, 1975-1995. International Rubber Study Group.
IRSG. 1999. Rubber Statistical Bulletin. Vol. 53, No. 9.
ISG. 1999. Oil World annual 1999. Internationale Statistische Agrarinformationen
Njib Ntep, D. 1999. Rapport National sur le secteur forestier.