Subsistence Sustained: Swidden or Milpa Cultivation

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Klepeis ◽  
Colin Vance
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Swidden Cultivation ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Long Term Prognosis ◽  
Maya People ◽  
House Gardens

From the modern settlement of the southern Yucatán peninsular region to the present, smallholder farmers have followed a system of cultivation variously labeled swidden, slash-and-burn, or shifting within agricultural typologies (Watters 1971; but see Denevan 1992), and known as milpa in the Yucatán and Maya lowlands. Milpa cultivation has been so pervasive historically and geographically throughout the peninsula and the subject of such an extensive literature, that its description is only briefly reviewed here. Understanding the character and dynamics of this system of cultivation, including its long-term prognosis for continued use within the development of the region, is essential for understanding land changes and modeling them, although recent changes in cropping strategies portend the emergence of a ‘new’ kind of milpa. Swidden cultivation in the region, as elsewhere in Middle America, is invariably undertaken as an outfield activity—located at some distance from the farmstead—and is accompanied by small but complex housegardens or solares adjacent to and surrounding the house (e.g. Killion 1992; but see Gómez-Pompa 1987). The house-garden not only provides shade for the abode, it provides fruits, nuts, medicinal and ornamental plants, and a place for cropping experiments (Keys 1999). The extent and elaboration of house-gardens in the southern Yucatán peninsular region appears to be tied to the length of residency and, perhaps, ethnicity of the resident. Maya people, for example, tend to maintain large and elaborate solares. House-gardens tend to be smaller, even unrecognizable to the untrained eye, in the few densely settled communities in the region (e.g. Xpujil). As these gardens are not yet a central element of the broader dynamic of land change in the region, they are not given further attention here. The outfield or swidden supplies maize (Zea mays L.), planted in several varieties and serving as the consumption staple. Depending on the household, some portion of the maize crop may be sold. This ‘dual’ production function has been part of swidden in the region at least since the opening of Highway 186, reflecting government policy promoting commercial maize production (Ch. 7) and the abundant land awarded to individual ejidatarios at that time.

scholarly journals Empirical Analysis of the Factors that Affecting Maize Production of Farmers among Smallholders: The Case of Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-145
Author(s):  
Murad Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Smallholder Farm

In Ethiopia, maize is the second largest in production areas and first in its productivity but there are high yield gaps between the actual yield currently producing and the potential yield. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify factors that affecting maize production of smallholder farmers at the farm level in the Meta district in the east Hararge zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A two-stage random sampling technique was employed and a total of 200 smallholder farmers were randomly and proportionally selected to collect primary data. Multiple linear regression models were used to analysis factors that affect maize production among smallholder farmers. The result showed that the production of maize was influenced by several factors. The coefficient provided that as the farmers obtained 1 dollar from non-farm activity, the maize production of farmers increased by 293.2 kg, keeping other factors constant. Thus, the farmers who had money from non-farm sources used as additional income to gain agricultural inputs for maize production and thus generate more maize quantity. The result was pointed out that the size of the cultivated areas of land had a positive influence on the quantity of maize production of farmers. The coefficient entailed that as the size of the cultivated areas of land increased by one hectare, the farmer’s quantity of maize production increased by 140.4 kg by keeping other factors constant. The result was also indicated that other factors being constant, the maize crop production of smallholder farmers of Meta district was decreased by 4 kg as Development Agent’s (DA’s) office distance increased by one minute. The possible explanation was that extension services were a critical source of information on agronomic practices. Therefore, policy makers should encourage the current maize production and supplying improved seed and chemical fertilizer which support to improve smallholder farm households’ welfare by increasing their sources of income.

scholarly journals Socio-Economic Determinants of Maize Production of Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Murad Mohammed Baker ◽  
Desta Bati Nuno
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
Yield Gaps

Agricultural sector is a mainstay of farmers’ livelihoods in Ethiopia. Maize is a largest crop being grown in Ethiopia; however, currently, yield gaps are the challenges faced by the producers. This study has an objective of identifying the determinants of maize production of smallholder farmers. Data were collected from 200 farmers living in the selected kebeles (communes) of Meta district in the East Hararge zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. The collected data was analyzed using multiple linear regression model. The result showed that the production of maize was influenced by several factors. Non-farm activity had a positive impact on the production of maize. Thus, the farmers who had money from non-farm sources utilized these additional incomes as inputs to gain more maize production. The cultivated areas of land have a positive influence on the higher yields of maize. The maize crop production of smallholder farmers was negatively affected by Development Agent’s office. The study suggests that policy makers should encourage the current maize production by supplying improved seeds and fertilizers, which tend to support improving the smallholder farms.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léna Durocher-Granger ◽  
Tibonge Mfune ◽  
Monde Musesha ◽  
Alyssa Lowry ◽  
Kathryn Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Interest In Research

AbstractInvasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and medium-income countries. Fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive insect pest from the Americas, causes considerable losses on maize to smallholder farmers in Africa since 2016. The increased use of pesticides to control FAW in Africa raises concerns for health and environmental risks resulting in a growing interest in research on biological control options for smallholder farmers. In order to evaluate the occurrence of local natural enemies attacking FAW, we collected on a weekly basis FAW eggs and larvae during a maize crop cycle in the rainy season of 2018–2019 at four locations in the Lusaka and Central provinces in Zambia. A total of 4373 larvae and 162 egg masses were collected. For each location and date of collection, crop stage, the number of plants checked and amount of damage were recorded to analyse which factors best explain the occurrence of the natural enemy species on maize. Overall parasitism rates from local natural enemies at each location varied between 8.45% and 33.11%. We identified 12 different egg-larval, larval and larval-pupal parasitoid species. Location, maize growth stage, pest density and larval stage significantly affected parasitoid species occurrence. Our findings indicate that there is potential for increasing local populations of natural enemies of FAW through conservation biological control programmes and develop safe and practical control methods for smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Applying satellite images to spectral signature development of maize production (Zea mays L.) under colombia’s middle tropics conditions

ENTRAMADO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-262
Author(s):  
Edier Fernando Ávila Vélez ◽  
Natalia Escobar Escobar ◽  
Carlos Francisco Morantes Choconta
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Images ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Spectral Response ◽  
Spectral Signature ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Radiometric Calibration ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Production Stages

Maize is currently the world’s second largest crop in terms of production, after wheat and rice. It is the first cereal as for grain yield per hectare and the second, after wheat, regarding total production. Maize has great economic importance worldwide, both as human and/or animal food, and as a source of a large number of industrial products. New digital technologies are allowing greater monitoring of farming production stages. This research developed the spectral signature of maize fields ground covers across different growth stages (2 months, 2.3 months and 4.3 months). Similarly, this research paper proposes the application of a methodology based on four phases: 1. Maize crop georeferencing, 2. Satellite images selection, 3. Radiometric calibration of images 4. Spectral signature development of maize crops. Spectral response or signature of maize crops at visible and near-infrared wavelengths was obtained, indicating significant changes in crops growth. The use of satellite imagery becomes an interesting tool that introduces an approach towards more accurate and controlled monitoring systems in agricultural production.

scholarly journals Drought-tolerant Varieties as an Adaptation Strategy in the Context of Climate Change: Insight from Maize Production Systems in Benin

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mohamed Nasser Baco
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Previous studies suggested that maize is set to become a cash crop while ensuring food security better than any other crop. However, climate change has become one of the key production constraints that are now hampering and threatening the sustainability of maize production systems. We conducted a study to better understand changes here defined as adaptations made by smallholder farmers to ensure food security and improve income through maize production in a climate change context. Our results show that maize farmers in northern Benin mainly rely on traditional seeds. Drought as abiotic stress is perceived by farmers in many agro-ecological zones as a disruptive factor for crop production, including maize. When drought is associated with pest damages, both the quantity (i.e. yield) and the quality (i.e. attributes) of products/harvests are negatively affected. The adverse effects of drought continue to reduce production in different agro-ecological zones of the country, because of the lack of widespread adoption of tolerant varieties. The study suggests actions towards the production of drought-tolerant maize seeds, a promotion of seed companies, the organization of actors and value chains. Apart from climate change, the promotion of value chains is also emerging as one of the important aspects to take into account to sustain maize production in Benin.

scholarly journals Monitoring of Soil Water Content in Maize Rotated with Pigeonpea Fallows in South Africa

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2761
Author(s):  
Misheck Musokwa ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Paxie W. Chirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Soil Water Tension ◽  
Continuous Maize ◽  
Water Tension

Maize production under smallholder systems in South Africa (RSA) depends on rainfall. Incidences of dry spells throughout the growing season have affected maize yields negatively. The study examined water distribution and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows as compared to continuous maize without fertilizer. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used with four treatments, which included continuous unfertilized maize, natural fallow-maize, pigeonpea + grass-pigeonpea-maize, and two-year pigeonpea fallow-maize. Soil water mark sensors were installed 0.2; 0.5; and 1.2 m on each plot to monitor soil water tension (kPa). Soil samples were analyzed using pressure plates to determine water retention curves which were used to convert soil water tension to volumetric water content. Maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows had higher dry matter yield (11,661 kg ha−1) and WUE (20.78 kg mm−1) than continuous maize (5314 kg ha−1 and 9.48 kg mm−1). In this era of water scarcity and drought incidences caused by climate change, maize rotated with pigeonpea fallows is recommended among smallholder farmers in RSA because of its higher WUE, hence food security will be guaranteed.

Application of a Maize Crop Simulation Model in the Central Region of Malawi

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Thornton ◽  
A. R. Saka ◽  
U. Singh ◽  
J. D. T. Kumwenda ◽  
J. E. Brink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Crop Simulation Model ◽  
Crop Simulation ◽  
Using Data

SUMMARYA computer crop simulation model of the growth and development of maize was validated using data sets obtained from field experiments run at various sites in the mid-altitude maize zone of central Malawi between 1989 and 1992. The model was used to provide information concerning management options such as the timing and quantity of nitrogen fertilizer applications and to quantify the weather-related risks of maize production in the region. It was linked to a Geographic Information System to provide information at a regional level that could ultimately be of value to policy makers and research and extension personnel.

scholarly journals Detecting the Early Stage of Phaeosphaeria Leaf Spot Infestations in Maize Crop Using In Situ Hyperspectral Data and Guided Regularized Random Forest Algorithm

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elhadi Adam ◽  
Houtao Deng ◽  
John Odindi ◽  
Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman ◽  
Onisimo Mutanga
Keyword(s):  
Feature Selection ◽  
Random Forest ◽  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Hyperspectral Data ◽  
Tropical Maize ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Independent Test Dataset ◽  
Kappa Value

Phaeosphaeria leaf spot (PLS) is considered one of the major diseases that threaten the stability of maize production in tropical and subtropical African regions. The objective of the present study was to investigate the use of hyperspectral data in detecting the early stage of PLS in tropical maize. Field data were collected from healthy and the early stage of PLS over two years (2013 and 2014) using a handheld spectroradiometer. An integration of a newly developed guided regularized random forest (GRRF) and a traditional random forest (RF) was used for feature selection and classification, respectively. The 2013 dataset was used to train the model, while the 2014 dataset was used as independent test dataset. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences in biochemical concentration between the healthy leaves and leaves that were at an early stage of PLS infestation. The newly developed GRRF was able to reduce the high dimensionality of hyperspectral data by selecting key wavelengths with less autocorrelation. These wavelengths are located at 420 nm, 795 nm, 779 nm, 1543 nm, 1747 nm, and 1010 nm. Using these variables (n=6), a random forest classifier was able to discriminate between the healthy maize and maize at an early stage of PLS infestation with an overall accuracy of 88% and a kappa value of 0.75. Overall, our study showed potential application of hyperspectral data, GRRF feature selection, and RF classifiers in detecting the early stage of PLS infestation in tropical maize.

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