Challenges Faced by Cocoa Sector in Cameroon Regarding Logistics Management

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT and Logistics

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS: 1
Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................................2
Research Questions...................................................................................................................................2
Literature review.......................................................................................................................................3
Research methodology..............................................................................................................................5
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................5
Research philosophy..............................................................................................................................6
Research approach................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................................9

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS: 2
Introduction
Cameroon is the fifth largest producer of cocoa in the world after Ivory Coast, Brazil,
Ghana, and Nigeria. Mainly, the global cocoa is produced near the coastal zones and central east
region of Cameroon. Cameroon is the fourth largest producer of cocoa in Africa. Earlier, south-
western area of Nigeria border dominated 40% of production in Cameroon cocoa. Production of
cocoa is still small scaled and generally take place in small family farms. Since 19th century, as
compared to other agricultural activities, cocoa production has been playing role in Cameroon`s
economic development and growth and is considered as an main cash crop for more than 75% of
the population (Drum Commodities, 2012). This report undertakes a research proposal on finding
the research questions on challenges faced by cocoa sector in regard to logistic management. In
order to process an exploratory research report, a research proposal is a form of outline to the
research which is to be undertaken through Review of literature, research questions, research
design, research proposal and research approach are considered in the following report.
Research Questions
To achieve the main objective of the research, following research questions will be
undertaken-
1. What are the main risks in Cocoa Sector of Cameroon?
2. What are the challenges faced by cocoa sector regarding managing the logistics in
Cameroon?
3. Why did cocoa sector remain underdeveloped in the Cameroon?

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS: 3
Literature review
According to Quartey (2013), the liberalization in cocoa sector has left both government
and farmers in cocoa producing areas with insufficient resources. The authorities do not provide
tools to manage the fluctuations in prices of cocoa. Majorly, Cameroon`s cultivation is strongly
influenced by the activities of agricultural sectors in the last five years. The revenue generation
from agricultural products such as wood, banana, cotton, coffee and cocoa. One of the oldest risk
that supply chain of cocoa sector faces is the productive risk because of increase in price of
fertilizers and pesticides.
As per the research proposed by Edith (2018), it is seen that the risk associated with price
and goods in transit is spreading like a wild fire. As cocoa is cultivated on total surface area of
450000 hectares by small farmers. Each farmer cultivate 1 to 3 hectares of land. Cocoa is
generally cultivated in around 7 to 10 regions of Cameroon including Centre region producing
90000 tons every year. The transportation problems occur because the production zone of cocoa
is extended to coastal areas with altitude of 400m to 850m. The cocoa is cultivated on terrestrial
regions where building logistics infrastructure is next to impossible. The government of South
Africa has left the sector isolated and neglected the idea of privatizing the sector because
privatization cannot be accomplished due to poor knowledge of farmers. Lack of education in
farmers and challenges in logistics management led to collapse of NPMB (National Produce
Marketing Board) due to corruption of Board of Directors and stakeholders.
According to Folefack (2016), the corruption of stakeholders and embezzlement of funds
do not allow to invest and better the logistics management. Further, the government has failed to
recognize the problem such as lack of proper link from farms to market roads and lack of proper
education among farmers. Moreover, the cocoa industry is sensitizing the population on child