Development of Mixed Tree and Food Crop Systems in the Humid Tropics: A Response to Population Pressure and De-forestation

Abstract

SUMMARY: Mixed tree and food crop farming systems are being developed in the humid tropics. They offer one solution to the problems caused by population pressure and de-forestation, since they can provide a satisfactory income to the subsistence farmer, while adequately protecting the environment In seeking to develop optimal systems, examples and information can be drawn from traditional mixed cropping systems, from taungya systems of forestation, and from other systems developed within the commodity cropping sector. However, the full potential of mixtures involving perennials and food crops can only be realised within the limitations of local socio-economic and political circumstances.