In Africa, cocoa yields are low, partly due to soil fertility constraints and poor management. While peoples' knowledge, aspirations, and abilities are key factors explaining their behaviour, little is known about the rationales that underpin soil fertility management practices (SFMPs) of cocoa farmers. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory survey in two contrasting regions in Cameroon where cocoa is an important crop: the humid forest and the forest-savannah transition zone. Some 30% of farmers in the transition zone as opposed to 13% in the humid forest expressed concerns about soil fertility. The most relevant soil fertility indicators for farmers were high cocoa yield, dark soil colour, ease of tillage, and floral composition. To enhance and maintain soil fertility, farmers used residues from weeding (100%), planting of trees (42%), mineral fertilisers (33%), compost (16%), and manure (13%). More farmers in the transition zone than the humid forest implemented SFMPs. Our findings suggest that soil fertility perceptions, access to inputs, local practices, and experience influence farmers' use of SFMPs. The limited use of mineral fertilisers was explained by poor access whereas the use of organic fertilisers and tree planting were mostly constrained by lack of labour and knowledge. Farmers prioritised practices to increase yield and viewed SFMPs to be the least important management practices, although they believe high cocoa yield is an important indicator of soil fertility. To foster sustainable cocoa intensification, it is necessary to enhance farmers' knowledge on SFMPs, increase access to inputs, and ensure returns on investment while considering farmers' priorities and practices.

中文翻译：

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农民的看法是农业实践的驱动因素：了解喀麦隆可可农林业系统的土壤肥力管理实践

在非洲，可可产量低，部分原因是土壤肥力限制和管理不善。虽然人们的知识、愿望和能力是解释他们行为的关键因素，但人们对支持可可种植者土壤肥力管理实践 (SFMP) 的基本原理知之甚少。为了弥补这一差距，我们在喀麦隆可可作为重要作物的两个截然不同的地区进行了探索性调查：潮湿的森林和森林-热带草原过渡区。过渡区约 30% 的农民表示对土壤肥力表示担忧，而潮湿森林中的这一比例为 13%。与农民最相关的土壤肥力指标是高可可产量、深色土壤、易于耕作和花卉组成。为了提高和保持土壤肥力，农民使用了除草残留物 (100%)，种植树木 (42%)、矿物肥料 (33%)、堆肥 (16%) 和肥料 (13%)。与潮湿森林相比，过渡区实施 SFMP 的农民更多。我们的研究结果表明，土壤肥力观念、投入的获取、当地做法和经验会影响农民对 SFMP 的使用。矿物肥料使用有限的原因是获取途径不畅，而有机肥料的使用和植树主要是由于缺乏劳动力和知识。农民优先考虑提高产量的做法，并认为 SFMP 是最不重要的管理做法，尽管他们认为高可可产量是土壤肥力的重要指标。为了促进可持续的可可集约化，有必要提高农民对 SFMP 的了解，增加获得投入的机会，