Current Trends in Studies of Swidden Agriculture in the Tropics

Sato, Ren'ya

doi:10.4200/jjhg1948.51.375

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 52 publications

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“…In particular, there is a wide range of existing literature regarding swidden agri culture. Sato (1999) provides a review of research on the ecology of swidden agriculture in the tropics and another paper by Sato (1995) presents research on the subsistence activities of the Majangir living in Ethiopia who are en gaged in swidden agriculture. Adopting the remote sens ing method, Oyama (1998) clarified the woodland use and agriculture of Citemene, a slash and burn cultivation, which is an indigenous farming method conducted by the Bemba in northern Zambia.…”

Section: Forest-use and Subsistence Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Developments in Nature and Society Studies in Japan from the 1980s Onwards

Yokoyama

2013

Geog. Rev. Japan B

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This article reviewes the research trends in Nature and Society Studies authored by Japanese geographers, which have appeared in academic journals in the geography field in Japan from the 1980s onwards; these are organ ized into three categories, "landuse and subsistence activities, " "biological resources and subsistence activities" and "the environment and resources. " In two of the categories of "landuse and subsistence activities" and "biological re sources and subsistence activities, " there has been substantial research conducted which deals with cases in develop ing countries. Yet, research on domestic activities in Japan where significant economic development has already been achieved remains scarce. The reason for this seems to be that research dealing with domestic agriculture, forestry, livestock and fishery conducted from the geographical perspective has not emphasized the subsistence aspect of these activities but rather these were considered as a part of industries. Accordingly, the majority of research in these areas is conducted from the perspective of economic geography. In regards to the research on "the environment and resources, " it became evident that Nature and Society Studies has not yet determined what type of approach should be taken to analyze the environment/resource use and environmental perception. The Nature and Society Study Group represents a new field in Japanese geography but its significance for research on human-nature interactions has gradually come to be recognized in the community of Japanese geographers through various activities including symposiums. Preparing for and coping with natural hazards, the environment and development, sustainable resource use, environmental change and survival are all the targets of Nature and Society Studies, and research in these areas is expected to develop in the future.

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Section: Forest-use and Subsistence Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Developments in Nature and Society Studies in Japan from the 1980s Onwards

Yokoyama

2013

Geog. Rev. Japan B

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Changes in cultural ecosystems of a swidden society caused by the introduction of rubber plantations

Terauchi

Inoue

2010

Tropics

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This study aims to holistically examine the process of integration of rubber production into swidden society, based on observations of Benuaq Dayak society in East Kalimantan. Before the introduction of rubber production, villagers livelihoods were based on swidden and rattan production, but household economies fared poorly owing to stagnating rattan prices. There was a high rate of rice self-sufficiency, while various work organization types and a collaborative work and profitsharing system played an important role in their livelihoods as a social safety net. The collaborative work and profit-sharing system was supported by a philosophy of mutual aid. After rubber production began, about half the villagers gave up swidden and the others switched to practicing swidden and rubber fields together. Their living standard was improved by cash income from rubber, and their rate of rice self-sufficiency dropped. A cash-income differential emerged among villagers, which caused social disruption such as arson and theft. The work organization was simplified from a collaborative work and profit-sharing system to an individual work and private-profit system. These livelihood changes and increasing cash income caused a social safety net malfunction, and impaired the philosophy of mutual aid.It is inferred that the introduction of rubber production offers the possibility of both environmental and economic improvements, but to accomplish the well-balanced development of swidden society it is important to reconstruct and maintain the social ties that have been weakened by rising cash income and simplified types of work organization. It is also necessary to establish new institutional social networks for cooperation with the government to adapt to market economy conditions.

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Current Trends in Studies of Swidden Agriculture in the Tropics

Cited by 2 publications

References 52 publications

A Review of the Developments in Nature and Society Studies in Japan from the 1980s Onwards

A Review of the Developments in Nature and Society Studies in Japan from the 1980s Onwards

Changes in cultural ecosystems of a swidden society caused by the introduction of rubber plantations

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