Farming systems and soil-conservation practices in a study area of Northern Thailand.

摘要

A study of farming systems and the socioeconomic circumstances of ethnic minority farmers was carried out in the uplands of Northern Thailand. The region is susceptible to land degradation: soil fertility depletion; weed infestation; and soil erosion. Attempts to introduce soil-conservation technologies, have been unsuccessful. The aim of the study was to better understand the reasons for the poor adoption of soil-conservation practices disseminated by rural development projects and to propose alternative actions. The most popular soil-conservation practices used for extension purposes include hillside ditches, alley cropping with leguminous tree hedgerows, grass strips, and incorporation of perennials within cropping systems. These practices weredeveloped on experimental stations in the region and elsewhere and delivered as 'technical packages' to farmers. Most farmers have remained reluctant to adopt them, regardless of whether they have participated in extension projects. The many reasons forthis include agronomic inadequacy of some of them, poor financial returns, lack of capital, social marginalization of some farmers, labor constraints, the absence of land tenure, and poor interactions with extension services. Most farmers recognize thatsoil erosion is a problem, although soil fertility depletion and weed pressure are their immediate concern. To reduce the impact of soil erosion in the fields and downstream, more participatory interactions between extension agents and farmers are needed; this should lead to identification of solutions that are economically viable, ecologically sound, and politically realistic.