Typology of rubber based farming systems in Cameroon: lessons for future plantings

The rubber smallholder sector in Cameroon was developed in different zones, periods and conditions. As a result, the diversity of the rubber farms is important. So, a typology of the farms, mainly based on the strategy for the development of the farming system, is proposed. Four different groups were identified: mini estate farms, family farms with continuous capitalisation of their income in plantations, family farms without capitalisation and emerging rubber family farms. The analysis of the rubber practices during the different stages of a rubber plantation development shows that the four groups present some specificities concerning the choice of the planting material and the strategy of tapping. On the other hand, no difference was noted for the management of the plantation during the immature period. Although the rubber smallholder sector in Cameroon is still limited compared to other African countries, it was possible to reveal that many farmers are interested in rubber. The diagnosis identified some difficulties that smallholders met for rubber cultivation. They have to be taken into consideration for the future plantings. (Résumé d'auteur

Rubber agroforestry systems in mature plantations in Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand

Rubber-based agroforestry systems (RAS) can be characterized by the type of trees/shrubs and crops associated with the rubber trees. The present study objective was to identify and describe the RAS in mature plantations existing in Phatthalung province. This province is representative of South Thailand and gathers many farmers with agroforestry practices. The methodology for data collection combined focus group discussions with 5 groups and individual interviews with 56 farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire and farmer's field survey for 44 RAS plots. The results showed an important diversity of the RAS. Seven types of agroforestry systems were identified with 20 species of fruit trees, 14 species of timber trees and 6 species of pluri annual local crops. The analysis of the timeline to plant rubber and intercrops showed some flexibility for the establishment of the RAS. The associated crops and the sometimes-long existence of these RAS indicate that they could be an interesting alternative to monoculture for the farmers to improve resilience and not rely only on one crop. However, before recommending these RAS, additional research is needed to better characterize the impact of these systems in particular on crop yield and soil biodiversity quality

Research and development on the smallholder rubber sector in Cameroon and Ghana

Since 1999, Cameroon and Ghana have been conducting research to improve the production conditions and income of small and medium-sized rubber plantations. This paper provides a brief description of the work undertaken, focusing on the methodology adopted (participatory approach with an analysis of farm functioning, on-farm trials, networks of reference farms) and on the tools used (survey design software, farm modelling and simulation software, natural rubber reference system). It also presents some of the results, particularly those concerning the constraints that smallholders are facing as well as some suggestions to improve the situation. (Résumé d'auteur

Rubber plantation labor and labor movements as rubber prices decrease in southern Thailand

A decrease in rubber prices can initiate labor migration trends from rubber production to industrial or service sectors, which could further cause labor shortages in rubber production. This case was not studied in the different communities with a long history of rubber such as the center city of southern Thailand. This study analyzes the source of labor and movement of laborers working in rubber plantations in the context of decreasing rubber prices. We selected 3 representative areas, namely rural, suburban and urban communities in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. Owners of rubber holdings were the target group for the survey, and individual interviews were conducted. We collected data between March and July 2015, engaging with 207 owners. The results showed that family labor and hired labor were widely used in rubber plantations in the three communities. Locally hired laborers and laborers from other countries were the main sources of hired labor for rubber plantations. The transnational laborers were a secondary source of labor for all communities, especially the rural ones. Family labor was the main source of labor for smallholder rubber plots, especially for the urban and suburban areas. Hired labor was used in all sizes of rubber holding in rural and suburban communities and were very common in the small rubber holdings in urban areas. This shows that the rubber production sector creates employment for local people and for migrants. Furthermore, low rubber price conditions did not significantly impact labor movement in rubber plantations. However, rubber plantations in urban and suburban communities lacked labor supply due to their proximity to the larger urban center of Hat Yai city. Therefore, the low tapping intensity and generate the diversified source of income to attract young labor generation to work on the farms should be policy to maintain natural rubber production in Thailand

Dynamic of rubber production in Northeast Thailand: A case study at Subsomboon village, Doonsard sub-district, Kranuan district, Khon Kaen province

This research aim to study changes in rubber production and farmers' practices at Subsomboon village, Doonsard sub-district, Kranuan district, Khon Kaen province since the promotion of rubber plantation. Data were collected by using literature review, semi-structured interview (SSI) with Key-informants (KIs) using sub-topics and interviewing with a sample of 30 accessible rubber farmers using a closed ended questionnaire. It was found that rubber production in the area could be divided into 3 periods including the first period: Beginning of rubber cultivation (1992-2003) farmers started rubber plantation with government support for the production inputs and knowledge, the second period: Rubber booming (2004-2011) where the area of rubber dramatically increased mostly by farmer' s own investment and partly supported by the government and the third period: Declining of rubber (2012-present), when limited expansion of new rubber area was farmers own investment and no rubber replanting in some farms. Moreover, the study found that there are different practices among farmers at each period showing the adaptation of farmers in their plots according to the situation of family condition and rubber production in each period

Le migrant précaire comme nouvelle figure du débordement

les professionnels apparaissent en difficulté face à cette figure, comme ils l'avaient été, dans les années 90 face à celle du précaire. Vingt ans après, les problématiques qui avaient été soulignées par les travaux de l'Orspere sur la figure du SDF restent paradoxalement d'actualité. Les professionnels apparaissent démunis. D'une part parce que les dispositifs destinés aux précaires sont saturés et sont en difficultés pour répondre aux demandes. Aujourd'hui, le public de ces dispositifs est en quasi totalité composé de migrants. D'autre part du fait des caractéristiques spécifiques de leur précarité. Pour un psychiatre, " la première précarité c'est qu'ils ne savent pas dire de quoi ils souffrent "

Solidarités et résistances, Les " amoureux " se réunissent

"L'amour s'investit d'une qualité politique en permettant de penser la solidarité entre les citoyens, et entre un français et un étranger : aimer au delà des appartenances [...] L'amour dépourvu de l'appartenance, l'amour absolu comme résistance à une condition déterminée. L'énergie amoureuse advient au delà des barrières sociales, et le droit à mener une vie de couple, droit fondamental, au delà du droit des étrangers"

Narration et situation : " Faire récit " et œuvrer à la publicisation d'une histoire " sans papiers

Comment la narration est-elle corrélative de la situation ? Qu'est ce qui se joue dans la coproduction de ce matériau : Entre un sociologue et une narration qui lui est destinée ? À quoi le sociologue est confronté ? Cette réflexion prend aussi appui sur la sollicitation d'une personne d'œuvrer à l'écriture de son histoire alors qu'elle vient de régulariser sa situation. Quelle est la portée sociologique d'une histoire dans ses différentes formes où elle est racontée

Amélioration de la productivité des plantations d'hévéa. Mission d'appui en socio économie : rapport de mission en Thaïlande 7-9 novembre et 16-23 novembre 2007

Cette mission d'appui au projet «amélioration de la productivité des plantations d'hévéa en Thaïlande» avait pour objectif de définir, avec les partenaires thailandais, les collaborations possibles dans les domaines de l'agronomie système et de la socio économie notamment dans le cadre du PCP développement durable de 1'hévéaculture en cours de montage. Un programme de recherche a pu être établi pour l'année 2008 avec deux équipes de l'Université Prince of Songkhla: PSU Hat Yai pour l'essentiel et PSU Surat Thani. Des contacts ont également été pris avec d'autres institutions (IRASEC et RRIT Chachoengsao). (Résumé d'auteur