Soil conservation in Jamaica
Excerpt
MUCH work has been done to develop technical options for soil conservation. The best method usually is thought to be the one that results in the least soil erosion with the greatest cost effectiveness. Often ignored is an appreciation of the fact that people must be able to use and benefit from the technology.
A Jamaican soil conservation program exemplifies this lack of sensitivity. While technically optimal, the program proved ineffective because it was inappropriate to the needs of farmers. To a large extent, the inappropriateness was due to the conservation technicians' failure to consult with farmers before choosing the technology.
The conservation need
Soil erosion is serious in the hills of central Jamaica. About two-thirds of the islands bedrock is erodible limestone. In addition, 25 percent of the country's surface area features slopes greater than 30 degrees; 52 percent of the land has slopes greater than 20 degrees.
Farmers themselves contribute to the erosion problem by planting root crops yams, ginger, potatoes …
Footnotes
Harvey Blustain, former senior research associate at Cornell University's Center for International Studies, is visiting assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, 40506.
- Copyright 1982 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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