Geography

Mixing it up: Variations in Andean farmers' rationales for intercropping of potatoes

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This paper examines traditional intercropping from two points of view: (1) scientists' explanations of causes; and (2) farmers' rationales. Ecological (e.g., resilience, stability, and diversity) and economic (e.g., risk reduction, efficient use of land and labour) explanations are first explored. Farmers' rationales for mixed-cropping potato are then studied in four areas along the eastern slopes of the Andes from 4000 to 800 meters above sea level. Four tendencies were identified in the Peru transect: (1) intercropping increases with decreasing altitude and higher temperatures; (2) main agronomic benefit of intercropping at lower elevations is shading; (3) farmers tend not to mix-crop for commercial production, but to mix for subsistence; and (4) farmers attempt to increase both land and labour efficiency through intercropping. Adaptive research and technology development programs must take into account that farmers make intercropping decisions based on farm-level, location-specific demands. © 1990.

Publication Title

Field Crops Research

Publication Date

1-1-1990

Volume

25

Issue

1-2

First Page

145

Last Page

156

ISSN

0378-4290

DOI

10.1016/0378-4290(90)90079-Q

Keywords

cropping patterns and systems, solanum tuberosum, Andean Region, Peru, intercropping, plant ecology, mixed cropping, agricultural economics, temperature, altitude, shading

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