amendments. A study of existing farming systems and 

 practices could lead to the development of additional 

 appropriate technological and cultural aids. No doubt 

 plant (and animal) breeding and selection for specific 

 traits favorable in the high-intensity systems would 

 take an important place. 



Rationale for Selecting this Topic 



More careful management of tropical soils would 

 have a significant impact on food production in 

 developing countries. Indeed, the prosperity of many 

 countries depends on informed, careful use of tropical 

 soils, without land degradation or production failure. 



The United states could make a significant 

 contribution to work on the management of tropical 

 soils and the conduct of soil surveys and appropriate 

 land-use classifications. The United states could also 

 advise on and demonstrate suitable soil and crop 

 management packages, and work in cooperation with 

 developing country scientists and technicians to 

 demonstrate effective, nondestructive ways to develop 

 and use these lands. In fact, much of this is already 

 being done to some extent. Such work could result in 

 increased food production and employment opportunities 

 and prevent the destruction of natural resources and 

 socioeconomic upheaval caused by crop failures. 



Another opportunity for better use of tropical 

 soils is found in perfecting ways to increase crop 

 production in areas already in use and close to 

 population centers. Relatively recent research has 

 demonstrated that multiple cropping — growing two or 

 more different crops on the same land in any one year, 

 either sequentially or simultaneously or both — 

 increases total production per unit of area, raises 

 farm income, increases the range of produce available 

 to diversify the diet, makes better use of fertilizers 

 and available water, and can be adapted to control 

 erosion and to protect and enhance soil fertility. 

 Intercropping frequently reduces pest control problems. 



Work at the international agricultural research 

 centers has led to the development of small machinery 

 to support more intensive farming systems in the 

 tropics. For example, the International Institute of 

 Tropical Agriculture has developed or modified simple, 

 low-cost equipment, sophisticated in concept only, for 

 precision planting of grain and for spraying with very 

 low volumes of water. These tools do not require 

 mechanical power (other than a rechargeable dry 

 battery) , and they reduce drudgery. Other 

 opportunities exist in programs that are now underway 



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