Evaluation of Early-Stage Viability of Small Farm Projects: Case of Smallholdings Initiated by Trained Young Farmers in the West Region of Cameroon

The Cameroonian agricultural sector employs about 70 percent of the active population, accounting for some 20 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).It still has enormous potential for the intake of a significant number of youths, thereby contributing to their employment.However, Cameroonian youth tend to be reluctant to embrace agriculture as a lifelong occupation, arguing that drudgery and minimal financial returns characterize the sector and are suitable for the least educated in society.The government created a support program for the renovation of agricultural training in the country, aiming to train and fund the socio-professional integration of young farmers through the creation and growth of small farm projects.Since 2015, this scheme has been launched, and no study has been conducted to ascertain the sustainability of small farm projects created by young farmers.This study aims to evaluate the early-stage viability of the young farmers' projects in the West Region of Cameroon to determine their potential sustainability.An exploratory sequential mixed methods study was conducted in the territories of 5 Training Centres, involving 358 participants.The study found that 70% of the young farmers had small farm projects that were technically and economically viable, pointing to their potential sustainability.The study recommends that similar research be conducted in other regions of the country to inform policymakers of the need to pursue and consolidate the strategy.