Shifting cultivation is generally reckoned to be not such a good idea. Eldis, the information service, has details of a report that says it can be OK, at least in the eastern Himalayas and under the right circumstances. Unfortunately the report itself seems to be behind a paywall, so I’ve been unable to read it. But I wonder, can shifting cultivation really support growing populations?
From the well-digger’s mouth
I like hearing the views of people who know what it is like on the ground, even if — especially if? — they have a strong point of view. I probably don’t come across enough of them.
Wells for Zoë is a small Irish humanitarian organization that helps people in Malawi to dig wells and manage water. After listening to a news item about a conference in Malawi one of the well-diggers felt compelled to set the record straight with a list of recommendations. I don’t agree with all of them, but this is clearly someone who knows the scene there.
What is needed are community-based systems of cooperative family farms, organized to market for local and regional distribution and re-integrating livestock wherever feasible term rehabilitative approach. Malawi needs a systemic approach to both restore its ecosystems and to produce enough food sustainably for its people.
There are lots of specific suggestions too. More of this and less globe-trotting punditry would go a long way towards helping Malawi feed itself.
The bottom billion
Fair trade: charity to keep the poor producing the crops that made them so?
Agriculture policy in Kerala
Kerala proposes traditional agriculture to promote food security.
Animal genetic resources
Final report on the Interlaken conference on animal genetic resources.