Information about Forest and Agroforestry Promoters (FAP-Cameroon)
The organization Forest and Agroforestry Promoters ( FAP Cameroon) was created in May 2001 by indigenes of the North West Region who have interest in the sustainable management of natural and wetland resources.
The organization is registered with the government of Cameroon with reference number:
137/E31/067/SCAB
FAP’s mission is to promote the sustainable management of the natural and wetland resources in the Western highlands of Cameroon.
FAP activities
-Capacity-building (especially for communities) in the domains of tree nurseries, tree planting, forest enrichment, beekeeping, market gardening, sustainable agriculture and livestock production
-Identification and conservation of ecotourism sites and the sustainable management of wetlands resources;
-Facilitation of dialogue processes between the multiple users of wetland and other natural resources;
-Establishment of tree nurseries for forestation, reforestation and forest enrichment activities;
-Environmental Impact Assessment;
-Advocacy for women’s rights and participation in natural resources management processes;
-Communicate market channel to target communities.
Specific problem addressed by FAP in her activities
- Low family incomes
- Poor farming practices
- Uncontrolled exploitation of forest/wetland resources
- Low capacity of community members to generate income from their natural resources. (Poor management capacities)
- Poor leadership within groups and communities.
- Conflict over the use of wetland and other natural resources.
- Fast depletion of natural resources due to unsustainable exploitation by rural communities.
Approach to these problems
In order to address these problems, FAP uses gender-sensitive participatory approaches to build the capacities and empower poor community members technically. With this approach, FAP expects to achieve a more equitable access to and control over natural resources within the community and to reduce poverty and unemployment.
FAP focuses on the rural population of the Western Highlands Region of Cameroon which constitutes 80% of the total population of the region. The reason for focusing on the rural population is because they depend on natural resources for most of their income generating activities (crop production, livestock rearing including beekeeping, exploitation of timber and non timber forest products). Because of their poor organization and poor management capacities, these resources are depleting thereby rendering them even poorer.
FAP’s major accomplishments
-Trained 60men and women on tree nursery establishment and management in Ngoketunjia and Mezam Division of North West Region.
-Raised and supplied to communities 40.000 assorted tree seedlings which were planted in watershed, plantations and community forests in Mezam and Bui Divisions of the North West Region.
-Trained the Muffuo II, Sabga and Ber communities of the North West on watershed protection, tree planting and management of planted areas.
-Trained 145craftmen and some forest dependent users in Ngoketunjia and Mezam Division on modern beekeeping and supplied 98 modern bee hives to them.
-Supervised the construction of 220 modern bee hives using local materials in Ngoketunjia and Mezam Divisions.
-Trained 78 farmers on Agro-forestry and improved farming practices in different communities of the North West Region.
-Executed fire fighting, patrolling and the replacement of 1000eucalyptus trees with prunus in the Upper Shinga Community Forest. (Part of Kilum Mountain forest in Bui Division of the North West Region).
-Assisted wetland users in the Upper Noun Area in the organization of a dialogue platform for conflict resolution especially during transhumance.
-Surveyed and identified ecotourism attractions in Tubah and Ndop.
-Organized and reported the world wetland day celebration in the Upper Noun Valley area in 2005, 2007.
-Trained farmers and grazers in Ngoketunjia Division conflict identification, resolution and management supported by SNV and MBOSCUDA.
-Identified and prioritize Non wood forest products in Ngoketunjia Division for enterprise development under the support of FAO.
FAP was one of the two executing organizations of a land security and capacity building project for wetland users in the Upper Noun Valley area of the North West Region. This project was funded by UNDP through the APREN initiative.
- Implementing a technical follow up of bee keepers in the Ijim mountain forest supported by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife(RIGC project)
FAP GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE
1.General Assembly
2. Board of Directors,
3. Coordinator
4. Chief of sectors,
5. Communities
The General Assembly is the supreme decision making body. It meets once a year except for an important decision that an ordinary session is convene.
Board of Directors: They are the supervisory body of FAP’ activities.
Coordinator: He coordinates the daily running of FAP activities.
Chief of Sectors: Implements activities in the various communities.
Communities: They are the main beneficiaries of FAP’s activities and are responsible for the project after funding ends.
FAP. Partners
International
Netherlands Development Organization (SNV)
Netherlands Senior expert volunteers (PUM)
Food and Agricultural organization (FAO)
The Netherlands Embassy
Trees for the future USA
International Tree Foundation UK
Agric Dynamic NL
National
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Environment and nature protection
Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife
Mbororo Cultural and development Associoation (MBOSCUDA)
Apiculture and Nature Conservation (ANCO)
North West Association of development Organization (NWADO)
Local Partners
Municipal councils
Federations of farming group
Unions of farming group
Development Associations
Village Traditional Councils
Community forest institutions