The Contribution of Pipper nigrum L. to the Livelihoods of the Main Value Chain Actors in Njombe-Penja Sub-Division of the Littoral Region of Cameroon

The main objective of this study was to contribute to the sustainable trade of pipper nigrum L. from the forest area of Njombe-Penja for improved livelihoods of the actors involved in the value chain and poverty reduction. Despite the availability and the importance of non-timbers forests products in poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, food security, and conservation of natural resources, the market chain of Pipper Nigrum L. is still poorly understood as no study has yet been done on the contribution of white pepper to the livelihoods of the main value chain actors in Njombe-Penja sub-division. To achieve this objective, a market prospection and snowball sampling technique was used to identify the main actors of Pipper Nigrum L. in Njombe-Penja sub-division, Mungo Division of the Littoral Region of Cameroon. The main actors identified were stratified based on their role in the value chain (havesters, distributors, wholesalers and retaliers) from which individuals were randomly selected from each group. Surveys was used to capture primary quantitative data from the selected individuals. Before the full-scale study, a pilot test was conducted in Penja which tested the effectiveness of the questionnaires and to make necessary adjustments. To ensure reliability, the same survey protocol was used throughout the study. The questionnaires were also reviewed by other experts in the field. The data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and the Microsoft tool (Microsoft Excel 10). The annual profit margins (considering profits from January to December 2022) was calculated for the main actors as well as the contribution of white pepper to their household incomes.The results reveal that distributors make the highest annual profit margin (20,250,000 FCFA) followed by wholesalers (2,288,541 FCFA), producers (1,248,692 FCFA) and retailers (305,329 FCFA). According to the sample T test the contribution of white pepper to the total household income was statistically significant for all actors. These results suggest that white pepper plays an important economic role in the household economy necessitating the valorization of the Penja white pepper value chain by the government and other development actors.