Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1700 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2855 (Online) Vol.9, No.8, 2018 37 Socioeconomics of the Production and Marketing of Haricot Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Western Highlands of Cameroon Siri Bella Ngoh 1 Martin Paul Jr. Tabe Ojong 2* Ernest L. Molua 3 1.Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Ekona, South West Region, Cameroon 2.Institute for Food and Resource Economics, University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany 3.Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, Cameroon, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon Abstract There has been an increase in the demand for Haricot beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Cameroon, most especially from buyers of neighbouring countries and institutions that feed their members. This indicates the existence of opportunities for farmers to exploit the market system and effectively participate in the supply chain within and across national borders. However, farmers don’t make use of this opportunity resulting from multiple constraints ranging from low production levels, low income and inconsistency in market participation to high transaction cost. It is thus relevant to identify and address the constraints facing these farmers in a bid to improve production and market participation. This analyzes the factors influencing farmer’s participation in the production and marketing of haricot beans in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Data was collected from 200 farmers in 24 villages in the Western Highlands of Cameroon and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Findings indicate that the production and marketing of beans was dominated by older and married farmers with low educational background who depend on these for their livelihood. In addition, the farming system practiced, production season, seed type planted and access to production resources significantly influence the quantities produced and marketed. To enhance haricot beans production and marketing, the study opines that development interventions lay emphasis on infrastructural and technology improvement especially with regards to the provision and use of improved farm inputs. Keywords: Haricot beans, production, marketing, Western Highlands, Cameroon 1. Introduction Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major crop grown and marketed in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. This is grown for its high nutritional value and accessible source of income. It is also grown for its high agronomic value such as adaptability to many climates and soil types and provision of nitrogen to the soil (Buruchara et al., 2011). This makes haricot beans an ideal crop for achieving the sustainable development goals of reducing poverty and achieving zero hunger, improving human health and nutrition as well as enhancing ecosystem resilience in rural communities (Akibode et al., 2011). Like other legume crops, it has increasingly been referred to as being pro-poor and environmental friendly since it is a source of cheap protein for the poor and its ability to synthesize atmospheric nitrogen (Tabe-Ojong and Mausch, 2017). As a result of the numerous benefits that this crop offers, there has recently been an upsurge in the demand for haricot beans from Cameroon, most especially from buyers of neighbouring countries like the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Gabon, Chad, and Nigeria (Siri et al., 2014). Besides the cross border demand, the crop is highly solicited in Cameroon by institutions that feed their members such as boarding schools, hospitals, prisons, orphanages and military camps. This shows the existence of potential opportunities for haricot beans farmers to exploit the market system and effectively participate in the supply chain within and across national borders. Based on this premise, it is but logical to assume that the growth and development of the haricot beans sub-sector can substantially contribute to economic development at both the national and household levels in Cameroon. Despite the rising demand for haricot beans, production is still low and unable to meet food demands (Chalwe, 2011; Oyang et al., 2018). This is even exacerbated by the fact that most households consume what they produce and only participate in markets to sell their surplus after meeting household food demands (Tabe- Ojong and Mausch, 2017). Despite low production and market participation, few donors, non-governmental organizations and local authorities have shown interest in the marketing, let alone the constraints faced by farmers in this sub-sector. However, from observations and discussions with farmers, they encounter multiple constraints ranging from inadequate production resources to gender-based discrimination, hence leading to low production levels and inadequate participation in the market. Market participation according to Barrett (2008) is directly linked with the generation of a marketed surplus, implying market participation is affected by production technologies and productive assets. Lack of inadequate production technologies and the use of less productive inputs arguable leads to low production and productivity