Cameroon

Increasing Incomes in Rural Cameroon

Designing for farmers in Cameroon on ways to improve their efficiency at bringing crops in from the field and transporting them to market, improving their profitability and providing new work for local blacksmiths. Done in collaboration with Specialized Bicycles designers and engineers, farmers in Lebialem (Cameroon), and a tight expat Lebialem community (LECDA), this resulted in a working prototype that students assembled and tested in Cameroon.

To most people living in Western urban environments (such as my students), the concept of doubling of one’s income seems desirable yet distant. For rural farmers, however, it is an imperative that can mean the difference between survival and poverty, even death.

In the rural village of Lebialem, Cameroon, farmers earn about $2 per day from the sale of cash crops in local markets. My students and I spent time several weeks researching there, walking around and working with the farmers in their fields. This revealed an unmet need that could the farmers' income by improving the efficiency of gathering crops from their 1-acre plots spaced out many miles from each other. Furthermore, it could also expand product development opportunities for local blacksmiths, increasing their income too.

Outcomes

Modular design, proven in field, construction/service by local balcksmiths
40% more carrying capacity, resulting in higher profits for farmers
Superior ergonomics, easier transport on rugged terrain

This project was done in collaboration with the global bike company Specialized Bicycles, who lent their designers’ and engineers’ time and expertise in creating lightweight, durable, wheeled transport mechanisms. The project also could not have happened without the support of LECDA (Lebialem Cultural Development Association), and the quantity and range of locals they were able to connect us with. A special shout out to Steve Wilcox (Nkem Wilcox) as without him none of this would have been possible. His deep connection to the people of Lebialem inspired this project and created unique opportunities for my students and I. The funds for research and travel were provided by a grant from VentureWell.

Different family compounds in the region of Fontem, Lebialem, Cameroon.

Students on this project: Cassie Tweed, Terance Kwan

Increasing Income Generation

Most people in Lebialem are subsistence farmers, and gain marginal additional income through cash crop farming: cocoa, palm oil, corn, ground nuts, beans, yams, cassava, bananas, plantains, and other fruits. Getting crops from farm to market is a duty shared by both men and women. Transport is done using a traditional conical shaped basket that is supported by the head and hung over the back. This is extremely strenuous to use on rough terrain for any kind of distance, and limited in capacity due to space and human physical constraints.

By contrast, blacksmiths in Lebialem have traditionally gained income by creating cultural objects and art for the palaces of the Fons, or Kings. However, societal changes have led to a reduced need for these objects, and the blacksmiths are seeking other sources of income.

We realized from our discussions with the community and our observations that the needs of the farm workers and the blacksmiths could intersect, and lead to higher income for both.

Co-Design with the Community

The farmers indicated the difficult time in traveling from their multiple small plots to the market, and the limited ability they had to transport product. With footpaths and small roads being impassable for cars or trucks for most of the year (due to the wet weather) the only option for transport is by foot.

The artisans reviewed their process of fabrication of iron and steel products (ceremony bells, shovels for farmers, digging implements, etc) and an opportunity to apply their talents to benefit the farmers emerged.

With the aid of the farmers and the blacksmiths, multiple rounds of design-build-test-refine-build-test were used to come up with the final result. A modular kit of building “joints” that would fit together using local wood or bamboo to create larger capacity carriers and carts for transporting more agricultural product to the market. More product sold equals more income for farmers. New products to fabricate for blacksmiths equals more income and a divergent product line that can expand.

The Pack Unit carries 40% more goods to market, with more comfort due to the ergonomic design, resulting in less spinal injury to women as they age. The Cart Unit can navigate the small footpaths with its wide tires, thereby giving increased carrying capacity of agricultural produce.

Diagram at top by Michael Kuehl.