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Questions and Answers
What was the general custom in Europe regarding agricultural practices until the Middle Ages?
What was the general custom in Europe regarding agricultural practices until the Middle Ages?
In which country was the farming system described in the text still widely practiced up to the end of the last century?
In which country was the farming system described in the text still widely practiced up to the end of the last century?
Which farming practice is no longer popular in Europe according to the text?
Which farming practice is no longer popular in Europe according to the text?
When was the practice of combining tree planting with agricultural crops being practiced in a few areas in Germany?
When was the practice of combining tree planting with agricultural crops being practiced in a few areas in Germany?
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What made the farming system described in the text unique?
What made the farming system described in the text unique?
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What is a traditional farming practice in Central America as described in the text?
What is a traditional farming practice in Central America as described in the text?
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How do farmers in Central America simulate forest conditions in their farming practices?
How do farmers in Central America simulate forest conditions in their farming practices?
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Which aspect of the farming system practiced by Hanunoo in the Philippines is highlighted in the text?
Which aspect of the farming system practiced by Hanunoo in the Philippines is highlighted in the text?
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What purpose did preserving certain trees serve for the Hanunoo farming system?
What purpose did preserving certain trees serve for the Hanunoo farming system?
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How did the farming practices in Asia and Central America differ from traditional European agricultural practices?
How did the farming practices in Asia and Central America differ from traditional European agricultural practices?
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What was a common characteristic of farming systems in many humid lowland tropical regions according to the text?
What was a common characteristic of farming systems in many humid lowland tropical regions according to the text?
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What is the main benefit that the Yoruba claim from their traditional farming system?
What is the main benefit that the Yoruba claim from their traditional farming system?
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What was the ultimate objective of traditional farming systems mentioned in the text?
What was the ultimate objective of traditional farming systems mentioned in the text?
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In which country did the taungya system of forest plantations using available laborers originate?
In which country did the taungya system of forest plantations using available laborers originate?
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What was the primary reason for introducing the taungya system into South Africa?
What was the primary reason for introducing the taungya system into South Africa?
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How did the ruling philosophy of the taungya system benefit laborers participating in the forestry tasks?
How did the ruling philosophy of the taungya system benefit laborers participating in the forestry tasks?
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Which statement best describes the evolution of agroforestry by the end of the 19th century as per the text?
Which statement best describes the evolution of agroforestry by the end of the 19th century as per the text?
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Study Notes
Agroforestry Practices Throughout History
- Agroforestry, combining trees and agricultural crops, is an ancient practice used by farmers worldwide.
European Agroforestry Practices
- Until the Middle Ages, European farmers used to clear-fell degraded forests, burn the slash, cultivate food crops, and plant trees before, with, or after sowing agricultural crops.
- This practice was also common in Finland until the end of the last century and in some areas of Germany until the 1920s.
Tropical American Agroforestry Practices
- In Central America, farmers traditionally planted multiple species of plants on small plots, including coconut, papaya, bananas, citrus, coffee, cacao, maize, and squash, mimicking mixed tropical forests.
- This practice allowed for a diverse range of crops and tree species to be grown together, mimicking the layered configuration of tropical forests.
Asian Agroforestry Practices
- In the Philippines, the Hanunoo people practiced a complex type of shifting cultivation, clearing the forest for agriculture while sparing certain trees that provided shade and prevented soil exposure.
- Trees were an essential part of the Hanunoo farming system, providing food, medicines, construction wood, and cosmetics.
African Agroforestry Practices
- In southern Nigeria, farmers grew yams, maize, pumpkins, and beans together under a cover of scattered trees.
- The Yoruba people of western Nigeria practiced an intensive system of mixing herbaceous, shrub, and tree crops to conserve human energy and maintain soil fertility.
The Emergence of Modern Agroforestry
- By the end of the 19th century, establishing forest or agricultural plantations became an important objective of agroforestry.
- The "taungya" system, established in Myanmar (Burma) in 1806, allowed laborers to cultivate land between tree seedlings and grow agricultural produce in exchange for performing forestry tasks.
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Description
Explore the historical practice of cultivating trees and agricultural crops together, as documented by King in 1987. Learn about the traditional farming methods used in Europe until the Middle Ages and how they have evolved over time.
