Farming Systems and Soil-Conservation Practices in a Study Area of Northern Thailand

Abstract

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 ero- sion. In particular, soil erosion has attracted the attention and mobilized the efforts of many government organizations, non-gov- ernment organizations, and others. However, most attempts to introduce soil-conservation technologies, thus far, have met with lit- tle success. The aim of the study was to better understand the reasons for the poor adoption of soil-conservation practices disseminated by various rural development projects and to propose alternative actions. The most popular soil-conservation prac- tices used for extension purposes include hillside ditches, alley cropping with leguminous tree hedgerows, grass strips, and incor- poration of perennials within cropping systems. These practices were developed on experimental stations in the region and else- where 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 for this 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 that soil erosion is a problem, although soil fertility depletion and weed pressure are often their main immediate concern. To reduce the impact of soil erosion both in the fields and down- stream, more participatory interactions between extension agents and farmers are needed; this should lead to identification of so- lutions that are economically viable, ecologically sound, and politically realistic.