Local Soil Knowledge and Its Use in Crop Allocation: Implications for Landscape-Scale Agricultural Production and Conservation Efforts in Talamanca, Costa Rica

Abstract

Smallholder farmers have developed knowledge about soil and crop management through long-term, on-farm observations. Yet, food insecurity and land degradation continue to threaten livelihoods, globally. Part of the solution lies in linking local and scientific knowledge to develop improved agricultural strategies. We argue that incorporating farmer knowledge in the design and/or technology transfer processes of land management and restoration projects will improve the likelihood of success. The objectives of this study were to understand how farmers in the remote Cabécar communities in southeastern Costa Rica use soil knowledge to allocate and manage crops and to explore how to combine local and scientific knowledge to achieve wider adoption of sustainable agricultural techniques. Cabécar farmers in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains practice both no-input subsistence and cash-crop farming. They cultivate both annual and perennial crops on their multi-parceled farms. Twenty-three stratified random heads of households were selected and interviewed. A variety of participatory methods were used including, participant observation (1.5 years), semi-structured interviews, farm mapping exercises, farm-transect walks and a participatory community workshop. Results indicate that farmers identified three distinct soil types using primarily soil color, texture and landscape position. Most interestingly, farmers' understanding of soil properties was tied directly to site suitability for specific crops. While farmers identified limitations of certain soil types' capacity to sustain a particular crop, farmers did not embark on restoration efforts or employ nutrient management techniques to improve the productivity of the soil. Furthermore, farmers had limited knowledge on processes of soil development and nutrient cycling. Instead of amending the soils to increase productivity, farmers allocated crops according to existing perceived suitability of the soil. These insights illustrate the barriers to farmer's adoption of new agricultural strategies. These data and experiences will be used to guide future agricultural research in the region, specifically projects that promote the restoration of unproductive soils by providing alternatives to burning and incorporating organic amendments.