Abstract

Land degradation poses a critical threat to food security and rural livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the drivers and impacts of land-use change and unsustainable agricultural practices on soil health and crop productivity in Santa Sub-Division, Cameroon. Employing a mixed-methods approach-including remote sensing analysis, laboratory soil assessments, and household surveys-the research quantifies land cover transitions, soil quality dynamics, and yield trends from 2000 to 2023. Results reveal a 30% decline in forest cover and a 22% expansion of cropland, accompanied by widespread soil acidification (65% of samples with pH<5.5) and nutrient depletion (nitrogen and phosphorus reduced by over 40%). These changes have contributed to a 12% per-decade decrease in maize yields and increased farmer-grazier conflicts over shrinking resources. While climate-smart agriculture practices such as agroforestry and crop rotation have shown promise in restoring soil fertility and stabilizing yields, their adoption is constrained by tenure insecurity and limited financial support. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated, policy-driven interventions-including soil restoration, secure land tenure, and scaling up climate-smart agriculture-to enhance resilience and ensure sustainable agricultural development in Santa Sub-Division and similar highland regions.

Keywords:Land degradation; Soil acidification; Land-use change; Climate-smart agriculture; Resilience; Cameroon