Conflict and migration as drivers of farmland abandonment in Cameroon

Farmland is vital for food security, livelihoods, and rural stability, yet it is increasingly threatened by the combined pressures of environmental stress, climate change, and armed conflict. While farmland abandonment is widely recognized as a major land use change process, little is known about how conflict-driven migration interacts with labour shortages and environmental stressors to reshape agrarian systems in conflict-affected regions. This study addresses this gap by examining farmland abandonment in Northwest Cameroon, using a 2022 household survey of household heads, including families with migrated members, and analyzing the data through probit regression with propensity score matching. Results show that armed conflict is the leading driver of farmland abandonment, reinforced by labour shortages and limited mechanization. Cultivated land per household declined sharply from 4.6 to 1.64 ha between 2015 and 2022, with migrant households losing significantly more labourers and land than non-migrant households. Higher education increased the likelihood of migration, while strong family ties reduced it; the loss of a family member during conflict raised the probability of migration by 79 %. While perceived environmental stressors are associated with farmland abandonment, their marginal effects are relatively modest compared to conflict-related and migration factors. These findings highlight a complex interplay of conflict, education, social ties, environmental pressures and sustainability challenges that extend beyond Cameroon, offering insights into how crises reshape agrarian systems, and migration in fragile regions. Policy responses should prioritize mechanization, financial literacy, and conflict resolution as well as family and community support systems to mitigate long-term risks. • Armed conflict is the primary driver of farmland abandonment, amplified by labour shortages and weak mechanisation. • Cultivated land per household fell from 4.6 to 1.64 ha between 2015 and 2022, with migrant households most affected. • Education, family ties, and conflict-related losses strongly shape migration and farmland use. • Environmental stressors like desertification and soil fertility decline further intensify abandonment.