The economic background of the M'muock people
The main economic activity in M’muock Fosimondi is agriculture with about 85% of the local population involved in the sector. This involves the cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals. Crop cultivation is dominated by market gardening, the crops range from Irish potatoes, carrot, cabbage, tomatoes, leaks, persist, beans, onion, corn, banana, garlic to coffee and palm nuts. Market gardening is very intense during the dry season especially along the bank of streams. Farming here is mostly done by farmers themselves and the assistance of hired labour within and without the kingdom. These produce are marketed in the village and in some towns like Dschang, Bafoussam, Maroua, Douala and Yaounde. A remarkable quantity is exported to neighboring countries like Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.
In the domain of livestock, animals such as cattle, sheep, goat, fowls and pigs are reared. Few individuals do poultry farming locally and usually in a small scale. These animals are kept for commercial purposes as well as for consumption during occasions.
Apart from agriculture, other people operate businesses like stores, off and on licenses, “bayam sellam”, transportation and bakery works. Other income generating activities include carpentry, bricklaying, painting and tailoring which are usually done during off farm periods. Another booming sector of the economy here is the practice of mutual financial groups otherwise known as “Njangi houses’’ which enables the farmers and businessmen to save as well as receive loans for their projects. The community bank created by the RUMPI project equally offers loans and savings services to the inhabitants. It is worth mentioning that the Mbelenka market which is the heart of these economic activities is equally the biggest market in the whole of Lebialem Division. This market is usually the meeting point for most business interactions, drinking and other nightly occasions which usually attract a good number of teenagers.