This farming system occurs in the humid forest zone. It is found in the Congo Democratic Republic, the Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Southeast Cameroon, and Gabon. Farmers practise shifting cultivation, clearing a new field from the forest every year, cropping it for 2 years (first cereals or groundnuts, then cassava) and then abandoning it to bush fallow for 7-10 years. Cassava is the staple, complemented by maize, sorghum, beans and cocoyam. Cattle populations are low. Population density is also low and physical isolation plus lack of roads and markets are serious problems. Forest products and wild game are the main source of cash, but cash is in short supply because few households have cash crops and market outlets are distant.

Agricultural growth potential is moderate thanks to the existence of large uncultivated areas and high rainfall, but yield increases in the near future are expected to be modest. Development entails environmental risks, including soil fragility and loss of wildlife habitats.

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