Iyamitet community is one of the largest communities in Obubra local government area of Cross River State, with a total population of 4,147 comprising of 2,044 male and 2,143 female (1991 population figure projected). The people of Iyamitet are mostly famers producing yam, cocoa yam, melon, salad cocoa, hot leaves and plantain. A good number of the men are skilled hunters. The women are engaged in subsistence farming and petty trading. About 70% of the youths are home based and depend completely on forest based activities for subsistence.These activities include; timber logging, and artisanal mining of barite (barium sulphate) which makes the area erosion prone. With the recent boom in cocoa, deforestation has been on the increase as many young people open up more land for cocoa planting and even encroaches on the Government reserve area. Forest fires have also been recordedas a result of these activities.
The Forest Regeneration and Livelihood Enhancement Support Project aims to support sustainable community forest management practices by the strengthening of the community forest governance system (Forest Management committee) and facilitating the Community land use plan (CLUP) to regulate forest activities in the community. Farmer field School Approach to cocoa farming will also be introduced and communities will be sensitized on sustainable practices on cocoa farming which will enable them improve quality and high yield in a small parcel of land. Participatory farm visit will be an important feature of the farmer field school. A total of 30 cocoa farmers (15 male and 15 females) will participate. 5 hectares of degraded forest have already been identified and marked out for reforestation with at least 6500 indigenous trees like mahogany, opepe, black Afara, Bush mango, Akparata, Iroko and Black Ebony by the community (1200 trees per hectare) the remaining 500 trees will be planted in the open up land caused by barite mining. Community members are keen on regenerating the open area due to barite mining. The project will also support alternative livelihood options in the areas of piggery, fish farming, and goat rearing.