Regional Seminar on shifting cultivation and soil conservation

Abstract

The term "shifting cultivation" used in this report refers rather to a hush/forest fallow system to re-establish natural soil fertility than to the system connected with a displacement of dwellings. Shifting cultivation as it was and is still practiced in the south of the country has hitherto been in balance with the social structures and conditioned by the level of soil fertility. At present this equilibrium does not respond anymore to the rhythm of needs and the economy has to pass from subsistence to market level, coupled with the internal organization of the market. The transition to a more intensive f aiming system requires to fulfil a considerable number of preconditions and greatly increased services of all kinds to be rendered to the farmer. The change requires also an increased use of agriculture al inputs and the application of improved practices, in summary the introduction of technology into agricultural development.