Impact of Mega-Agricultural Projects, Searching the Silver Lining in Cameroon

Purpose: Large-scale projects have created significant positive impacts in different countries around the world. Such impact is less common in Africa and Cameroon's agricultural sector in particular. This study was designed to investigate such impact due to the renewed interest in such projects, whereas, there is a slow rate of development of the agricultural sector in Cameroon. Methodology: We examined the experience of actors in the sector and analysed qualitative responses to a survey examining the possible impact of some completed major large-scale projects in Ngoketunjia of the North West Region and the Noun of the Western Region. A total of 45 experts were interviewed and 400 farmers provided answers to survey questions probing "˜silver linings' they may have experienced from large-scale projects. We analysed these qualitative responses using a thematic analysis approach. Findings: Respondents identified a silver lining under two themes social and economic. Socially, skills and knowledge improvement were observed to have improved while access to social facilities (electricity, health, water, schools), as well as integration and interactions amongst villagers, were less visible. Therefore the claim that large-scale agricultural projects led to social impact might be a faulty one as the silver lining in this dimension cannot be directly attributed to such projects. Under the economic domain silver lining was observed in access to employable opportunities, market, and finance access as well as value added to raw materials. However, no silver lining was observed in income-generating activities and production volume increments. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: Major impact disruptions were linked to project design and delays that affected the budget, supply shortages, and efficiency. To create the desired impact, we recommend that, large-scale projects should proactively focus on impact-driven project components as well as reschedule activities to minimize delays, penalties, and cost overruns.