The Risk Avoidance Strategy of Traditional Shifting Cultivation in Borneo.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
The Risk Avoidance Strategy of Traditional Shifting Cultivation in Borneo. |
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Author :
Hanne Christensen and Ole Mertz |
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Abstract:
The strategy of diversity present in shifting cultivation in Borneo is elucidated. “Traditional shifting cultivation” is defined and compared to “non-traditional shifting cultivation”. The fields (swiddens) and gardens of two native societies, the Bukit and the Taboyan of Kalimantan, are cultivated with at least 92 different species (cultigens), many of which are found in several varieties. In particular, many varieties of the staple crop, upland rice (Oryza sativa),are cultivated. Four different farming environments were recognized: homegardens, farm gardens, main swiddens and fallow areas. Many cultigens are only cultivated in one or two farming environments. The home garden is most intensively cultivated and has the highest diversity of cultigens. The fallow areas are very productive per unit of labour input and many cultigens are harvested for several years after the swidden has been left fallow. The strategy of high diversity allows the farmer to survive in an unstable and difficult environment. This minimizes risks rather than maximizes profits and is crucial to the ecological and the economic sustainability of traditional shifting cultivation. There is potential for more intensive production, but it is important that new cultigens and farming practices are integrated carefully as they may otherwise be counterproductive.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Hanne Christensen and Ole Mertz. (1993). The Risk Avoidance Strategy of Traditional Shifting Cultivation in Borneo. The Sarawak Museum Journal, XLIV (65): 1-18 |
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References
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