Impact of Agricultural Value Chains on Livelihoods in Northwest Cameroon: Market Access and Income Gains

Agricultural value chains in Northwest Cameroon are pivotal for rural livelihoods, yet their impact on market access and income gains remains underexplored. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to analyse data from 150 randomly selected households across three agro-ecological zones. Findings indicate that agricultural value chains have significantly improved market access for smallholder farmers by facilitating direct sales to urban markets and aggregators. This has led to a notable increase in income, with an average boost of 30% over the past two years. The study underscores the critical role of agricultural value chains in boosting rural incomes but also highlights the need for sustained government support to ensure long-term benefits. To maximise the positive impact of agricultural value chains, policymakers should prioritise infrastructure development, market linkages strengthening, and capacity-building programmes for farmers.