Papers relating to the Banana Industry in Cameroon

This material is held atSchool of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Archives, University of London

Scope and Content

Papers, 1954-[1982], relating to the banana industry in Cameroon and in particular to organisations representing banana growers, comprising microfiche copies, undated, of papers relating to companies including Elders and Fyffes Ltd and United Fruit Shippers Ltd; meteorological statistics (1929-1982) for Tiko, Loum, Mbanga and Nkongsamba [1982]; British Cameroons Co-operative Department printed reports, 1954-1958, including statistics relating to bananas and other products, and related issues; BCUF (Bakweri Co-operative Union of Farmers) and Contracts file, 1957-1965, comprising typescript and printed papers and contracts with Elders and Fyffes Ltd relating to banana production and sales; typescript papers by David Philip on Sigatoka disease and the BCUF, 1958, and Cameroon Banana Industry, c1980; selected typescript minutes and papers of SDIBC (Syndicat de Defense de Interêts Bananier du Cameroon), 1959-1980; selected typescript minutes, 1962-1965, of FEBACAM (Federation Bananiers du Cameroon) and UGECOBAM; typescript extracts from IFAC (Institut Français de Recherches Fruitières) Programme de Reconversion Bananiere and agreements with smallholders, 1967; typescript papers on land tenure, 1967-1976.

Administrative / Biographical History

In the colonial period Cameroon was divided between French and British influence. The French Cameroons achieved independence in 1960. Soon afterwards the British territory was divided, the northern zone being united with Nigeria and the southern incorporated with Cameroon. Agriculture is important to the economy, with bananas among the significant exports.

Arrangement

The papers comprise nine subject files as indicated in Scope and content.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

The material was presented by Dr. Heintzen.