Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The 2008 world food crisis brought a lot of anguish to many people in the world. The poor in Cameroon weren‟t spared the hit. Reactions from various communities to this crisis varied from one community to another. In the main cities of the country, there were riots and demonstrations. The riots and the demonstrations were fueled by the rise in food prices. Many lost their lives and many lost property also and the security they have built for sundry years. Governments also reacted differently to the food crisis in an effort to satisfy the longings of their people. Some countries considered the buying of land and the cultivation of food needed to feed their countries as the best alternative solution.

While rich countries could afford to buy or lease land, poor countries were not in the position to do so. Ultimately, poor countries were seen selling or leasing their available land to the rich countries. Little is known about the conditions or terms under which the so called "free land" was sold or leased. Another point at stake would be the rights of ownership of land, who owned the title to sell or lease the "free land"? This thesis analyses the land and property rights status in Cameroon and the impact it bears on women‟s ability to have food security.