From frustration to information. Diversity in agroecosystems.
Year: 1995
Type: article
Abstract: Since experimental research on agricultural stations began, over 150 years ago, variations in yield have been observed and, although undesired, they were not viewed with concern. It was not until the beginning of this century that researchers began to bother. The solution to handle this "undesired variation " came from statisticians, who elaborated on the problem of "the error of a mean " and the analysis of variance. This analysis eliminated variation and corresponded well with the desire to control and standardise the environment of agricultural production and to homogenise farm management as much as possible. Also new approaches such as Farming Systems Research and new analytical concepts in conventional agronomy followed this standardisation. Now the debate on the treatment of variation is reopened. Evidence exists that within agroecosystems heterogeneity is more likely than homogeneity (de Steenhuijsen Piters & Fresco, 1994). Variation in soil properties and in crop growth may be an asset for farmers (Huxley, 1986). Yield variations therefore have to be considered largely as the result of deliberate and structural human action when confronted with a heterogeneous environment and within a specific cultural and socio−economic context. This article presents the results of an interdisciplinary study of the Gaban village in northern Cameroon.
Author: Bart de Steenhuijsen Piters
Language: English
Subfield: Anthropology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W205883936