Le développement des cultures commerciales (cacao, café), exclusivement destinées à l’exportation dès la fin du XIXème siècle, a transformé la physionomie des campagnes du Cameroun, mais aussi les structures sociales et économiques des sociétés qui les ont adoptées. Dans les sociétés bamiléké et béti, l’agriculture était fondée sur le principe de la division sexuelle du travail laissant aux femmes une place centrale dans la production alimentaire. Le travail de la terre constituait l’une des composantes de l’identité féminine et conférait aux femmes un rôle économique majeur dans ces sociétés. L’introduction des cultures d’exportation pendant la période coloniale a entraîné une transformation des systèmes agraires et affecté le rôle des femmes. Notre étude analyse l’évolution des rapports de genre à travers notamment la cohabitation entre les cultures vivrières (féminines) et d’exportation (masculines) dans les exploitations familiales. Elle explore la manière donc les politiques coloniales ont influencé d’une part les systèmes familiaux de production agricole et d’autre part les rapports sociaux (aînés-cadets, hommes-femmes), en ce qui concerne notamment l’accès aux ressources de production. Elle met en évidence les luttes des femmes Bamiléké pour la préservation de leurs droits sociaux et économiques à la fin de la période coloniale / The development of commercial crops such as cocoa and coffee exclusively for export at the end of the nineteenth century deeply transformed Cameroon's rural areas as well as the social and economic structures of the societies that adopted them. In the Bamileke and Beti societies, agriculture was based on the principle of a sexual division of labor in which women had a central role in food production. Agricultural work was one of the components of female identity and gave women a major economic role in these societies. The introduction of export crops during the colonial period led to a transformation of agrarian systems that affected the role of women. This study analyzes the evolution of gender relations, notably through the coexistence of food (female) and export (male) cultures on family farms. It explores the way in which colonial policies influenced both family systems of agricultural production and social relations (elders-cadets, men-women), especially with regard to access to productive resources. It highlights the ways Bamileke women struggled to preserve their social and economic rights at the end of the colonial period

Until recently, there have been different and sometimes conflicting views on whether or not the communal land tenure system (CLTS) has a positive or negative impact on rural economic welfare. This study analyses some trends associated with the CLTS in the Ditsobotla area of the NorthWest province, focusing on the implications for rural economic welfare. The results of the study suggest that the CLTS is extremely important in order to sustain the rural economy, and therefore this dissertation presents developmental, policy and research options for consideration by government and other affected stakeholders for the betterment of the livelihood of people in the Ditsobotla area. The study adopts participatory research techniques in the selected villages of Springbokpan and Mooifontein. It also reflects on land tenure experiences in other African countries. The dissertation concludes with a suggestion that the South African government should engage in in-depth research programmes prior to the implementation of the envisaged communal land tenure reform legislation and that, the state should secure sufficient funding to boost agricultural activities in the area. Taking all these factors into account, a view is held that all developmental endeavours in the area must be informed by the collective participation of the affected local people, and their efforts must be united for the enhancement of their livelihood. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Until recently, there have been different and sometimes conflicting views on whether or not the communal land tenure system (CLTS) has a positive or negative impact on rural economic welfare. This study analyses some trends associated with the CLTS in the Ditsobotla area of the NorthWest province, focusing on the implications for rural economic welfare. The results of the study suggest that the CLTS is extremely important in order to sustain the rural economy, and therefore this dissertation presents developmental, policy and research options for consideration by government and other affected stakeholders for the betterment of the livelihood of people in the Ditsobotla area. The study adopts participatory research techniques in the selected villages of Springbokpan and Mooifontein. It also reflects on land tenure experiences in other African countries. The dissertation concludes with a suggestion that the South African government should engage in in-depth research programmes prior to the implementation of the envisaged communal land tenure reform legislation and that, the state should secure sufficient funding to boost agricultural activities in the area. Taking all these factors into account, a view is held that all developmental endeavours in the area must be informed by the collective participation of the affected local people, and their efforts must be united for the enhancement of their livelihood. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

A global land rush developed during the last decade, spared primiarly by the sharp rise inglobal food prices between 2007 and 2008. The inceased international food prices resulted inincreased interest from foreign actors to invest in agricultural land in developing countries inthe global south. The “global land rush” or “land grabs” is driven by the increased demandfor primarily food and biofuels. The phenomenon refers to foreign direct investment inagricultural land in developing countries that has escalated in recent years, with Sub-SaharanAfrica as the most targeted. This study examines foreign land investment in Ghana focusingon the regions of Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti and Volta through a qualitative literature study. Thepurpose of the study is to analyze to what extent these investments can be explained asneo-colonial or as development opportunities. Based on analyzing economic, political,cultural and power relations, the study concludes that all cases are in line with neo-colonialtheory according to Nkrumah. The economic effects show temporary job creation and loss oflivelihood, which indicates economic exploitation. The cultural effects include disruption oftraditional practices and loss of cultural identity, suggesting cultural imperialism. The aspectof political power shows the marginalization of local interests and political dominance. Noneof the three cases fulfills the principles of a win-win situation and therefore can't beconsidered development opportunities either. The legal frameworks in the regions prioritizeforeign actors over the rights and welfare of affected communities, leading to an unbalanceddistribution of power. The job opportunities that the projects bring often hide the long-termeffects and loss of livelihoods for the local population. In conclusion, this study contributes tothe understanding of Land Grabbing in Ghana as a neo-colonial phenomenon rather than adevelopment opportunity.