Appropriate land use systems of small-holder farms on steep slopes in Costa Rica: a study on situation and development possibilities

This study examines the land use systems of smallholders in two steep-slope areas of Costa Rica. The prospects for the future of these areas include growing population density, decreasing farm sizes and ongoing erosion processes. The main hypothesis of the study was that the erosion processes can be reduced by means of appropriate land-use systems and improved production techniques, thereby maintaining or improving the standard of living of a growing rural population. This issue was analyzed within a farming system context. To obtain the necessary information about the current farming systems, a survey on 75 farms in two mountainous areas was conducted, extending over a whole agricultural year. The farms were visited weekly and the following data were collected: farm resources, land-use pattern, labour economy, quantities and prices of inputs, quantities and prices of farm products, off-farm activities. These quantitative date were completed by several questions on opinions and objectives of farmers. Additionally, new cropping techniques were pre-tested. On the basis of these data, the current farming systems with their limitations and advantages were analyzed. Development possibilities were examined under various conditions and restrictions regarding land use and land availability, cropping techniques and prices of agricultural inputs and products

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	105894 Platen, H.H. von, 21118 Wissenschaftsverlag Vank Kiel, Kiel (Alemania)
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	Kiel (Alemania) 1985
Subjects:	EXPLOTACION EN PEQUEÑA ESCALA, TERRENO EN DECLIVE, UTILIZACION DE LA TIERRA, COSTA RICA,
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