Appropriate agroforestry technologies and extension and their potential to increase the ecological sustainability of swidden-fallow agricultural systems in the sub-humid tropical lowland, dry forest zones of Panama

Swidden-fallow agricultural (SFA) systems (types of slash-and-burn agricultural systems) have been widely studied by researchers from a variety of disciplines over the past 75 years. SFA is a traditional agricultural system that is the primary method of food production for millions of subsistence farmers in the humid tropics. SFA takes many forms and is a complex agricultural system with several interdependent components whose relationships need to be understood using a multi-scalar approach. At a local village-level, these components include SFA technologies and practices, natural resource endowments (including land availability and soil fertility), labor availability, as well as several other socio-economic, ecological, and cultural considerations. This master's thesis explores appropriate agroforestry technologies and appropriate agricultural extension approaches for increasing the ecological sustainability of swidden-fallow agricultural systems in the sub-humid tropical lowland, dry forest zones of Panama. The village of San Jose, a village located in the Province of Veraguas, Panama is described. This includes an in-depth description of the farming systems used by its 123 inhabitants who primarily use SFA as a livelihood strategy. Ways to improve the performance of SFA systems such as the one used by San Jose farmers and to increase their sustainability are also discussed. An assessment, based on several criteria, is conducted of the appropriateness of an agricultural extension programme (PROCESO) implemented in San Jose, administered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Agricultural Development of Panama (MIDA). Recommendations are made regarding potential improvements and alternatives to the extension approach used by these agencies. These include taking a context-specific, community-based approach to agricultural extension efforts when attempting to maximize the adoption of introduced technologies. In addition, appropriate agricultural technologies must be sensitive to social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors when being developed and introduced. This includes taking a phased approach to the introduction of new technologies rather than attempting to introduce sweeping and revolutionary change.