Socio-economic Impacts of the Anglophone Crisis on Agro Industraial Development In cameroon. Case study CDC Banana plantation

Abstract

This study critically examines the socio-economic impacts of the Anglophone crisis on the banana production operations of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), one of the Country’s largest agro-industrial employers. Since the onset of the crisis in 2016, the Southwest and Northwest regions of Cameroon have experienced sustained political instability and violence, significantly disrupting agricultural activities and rural livelihoods. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative interviews with CDC workers and local stakeholders alongside quantitative analysis of production data and employment records from pre-and post-crisis periods. The findings reveal a substantial decline in banana output, widespread job losses, decreased household incomes, and increased vulnerability among local populations dependent on CDC for economic sustenance. Additionally, the study highlights the erosion of social infrastructure and institutional capacity within affected communities. The research contributes to a broader discussion on conflict and agricultural sustainability, emphasizing the need for resilient agricultural systems, targeted policy interventions, and inclusive post-conflict recovery strategies for a sustainable agro-industrial sector in Cameroon