Farming systems in the Neguev settlement

Abstract

This study quantifies the in and outputs of eleven sample farm in the Neguev settlement (Costa Rica) from January till June 1991. It describes the cropping systeMON of maize (Zea mays), palmheart (Bactris gasipaes) and plantain (Musa AAB) and pays special attention to the labor input at the different farMON. Farm income and labor input for the sample farMON are also described. Motives and choices of farmers are characterized based upon the data of the sample farMON with the help of a linear model. The study formulates the connection between land-type (soil type), land-use and economic returns. Land-use in the Neguev settlement is extensive and differences between farMON and cropping systeMON are large. This extensive land-use is caused by the profitability of off-farm work in relation to agricultural production and not only by poor soils. Land-units do influence the land-use, simply by limiting agricultural production possibilities on poor soils, thereby reducing the options farmers have. Poor soils are however not necessarily related to low economic returns. Regional planning should therefore include more factors than soil-type to asses production possibilities