The cultural context of biodiversity conservation - Oapen

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The cultural context of biodiversity conservation
Apart from the fact that such techniques offer short-term solutions, in the long term
they just aggravate the impoverishment of the soil and additionally affect human
health since many farmers apply the chemicals without considering safety measures.
But the villagers see themselves obliged to use the products in their search to intensify
production in the most efficient way. As it is essential to plant growth, soil fertility is a
theme of permanent concern. If the soil is ›black‹, the terrain is considered to be of
good quality for cultivation. In contrast, coloured or red soils indicate that the soil is
less suitable for planting. 11 As was often complained, the nutrient deficiencies of the
soils in the area are a limiting factor in agricultural productivity. Farmers recognise fertility
variations in their fields and vary crop choice and conditions accordingly, but
consider it necessary to help the plants to grow by utilising fertilisers. In San Benito, agrochemical
products are used such as 20:20 or 15:15, which are applied to the sprouts
two weeks after planting. 12 Only a very few farmers employ organic methods, using
leaf litter or plant cover crops such as the local bean species frijol abono (Mucuna pruriens),
which is widely known to enrich the tropical soil. In Roq-há, where the farmers
do not apply chemical fertiliser, most of them grow the velvet bean as green manure,
which substitutes for natural periods of fallow, preventing the loss of soil fertility. 13
Fig. 5.4 A farmer applies chemical herbicides to the maize plants
11 Carter (1969) investigated local criteria for soil classification combined with chemical analysis of
soil nutrients. According to his findings, Q'eqchi' farmers inhabiting the lowland environment differentiate
eight major categories for colour, ten for texture, five for drainage and one for root content.
Although they do not closely correspond to those established by modern soil scientists, they seem
perfectly adequate for milpa farming.
12 In September 2002, one quintal (46 kg), which was reported to be sufficient to fertilise one cuerda
of chili, was sold for 100 Q. The chili produced on one cuerda could be sold for 2000 Q. (one libra -
0,46 kg was sold for 3.5 Q.).
13 This nitrogen-fixing legume is well known as a green manure and can double corn-production
during the second annual harvest (Carr 2004: 177). Another traditional technique was reported by a
farmer in Roq-há, who used the leaves of the tree madre cacao (Gliricidia sepium) to prepare an organic
fungicide. The leaves of the tree b'ach'e (Eupatorium semialatum) were used by some farmers to fertilise
garden crops.