In addition to hunting & gathering and pastoralism, horticulture is a third way in which many peoples earn their livelihood. This article discusses what exactly horticulture is, what the benefits are, but also the dangers when population pressure increases.
Horticulture or horticulture
Horticulture, known in anthropology as horticulture, is a form of non-intensive, small-scale agriculture. Horticulture does not use ploughs, this is the main difference with other forms of agriculture. Because draft animals and plows are not used, it is assumed that this form of agriculture preceded intensive agriculture, in which these matters are of great importance.
Horticulturists spend at least some of their time planting domesticated plants that produce food. Smaller domestic animals such as chickens and pigs are also often kept as a source of food and sometimes prestige. Often, part of horticulturists’ food is also obtained through hunting and gathering. The population density of horticulturists is much higher than that of hunters and gatherers and also than that of pastoralists, the population density is 1 to 10 people per square km. The communities range from 30 people to a few hundred. Although horticulturalists do not move around in the way that hunters and gatherers do, they are certainly not sedentary compared to fully sedentarized farmers. Because they continue to use new pieces of land, the result is that they often move again to the place where they farm.
History of horticulture
The first horticulturists probably came from the Middle East, around 8000 BC, where plants were first cultivated. This way of farming was also discovered in other areas.
Modern horticulturists
Today, horticulture is still practiced in tropical forests in the Amazon region, other parts of South America, sparsely populated regions in Africa, southeast Asia and Melanesia. In other areas, this form of agriculture has fallen into disuse due to increased population pressure and the associated more intensive agriculture.
‘Slash and burn’
Horticulturists use constantly changing plots of land. When a piece of land becomes exhausted, they stop using it and take up a new piece of land. They often use the ‘slash and burn’ technique, in which they cut down smaller trees and larger plants, allow them to dry and then burn down the plot of land. This removes the larger plants and trees that were in the way and the remaining ash makes the soil extra fertile. Larger trees are deliberately left standing to prevent erosion. However, because no other fertilizers are used, the soil is quickly exhausted again. Pieces of land that have become infertile are often not used again for decades . Horticulturists do not use machines or animals to till their fields, they do this completely manually using hoes, digging sticks and other tools. Their way of working is therefore very labor intensive, but hardly any capital is required.
Anthropological research
For a long time, the way horticulturists worked was regarded by people on the outside as unproductive and the horticulturists themselves as ignorant. Anthropological research quickly showed that horticulturists have a great knowledge of soil types, nutrients and other matters. Many horticulturists use ‘multi-cropping’, where they grow multiple plant species on a piece of land at the same time. The effect of this is that the plots of land look like areas of jungle, but it has the advantage that there is food available all year round. In addition, it prevents erosion and the more delicate plants are protected from the sun by other plants. When production on a piece of land decreases, it is usually the result of the decrease in nitrates and potassium in the soil and the increase in weeds and insects.
Tropics
Horticulture is especially suitable for tropical areas. Lots of rainfall and high temperatures ensure plant growth all year round. Plants grow, die and the nutrients from the dead plants are used by new plants. Horticulturists also consciously leave the trees standing when they prepare a piece of land for planting, because the trees prevent erosion and the roots of large trees stabilize the soil.
Advantages of horticulture compared to intensive agriculture
Intensive agriculture is often completely unsuitable for areas where horticulture is practiced. Plows expose too much soil, leading to erosion. The heavy rainfall requires enormous amounts of fertilizers. Because intensive agriculture rarely involves multi-cropping, the plants are highly exposed to insect pests and parasites. This in turn means that large amounts of pesticides are needed. Draft animals such as oxen have little or no resistance to the diseases that prevail in tropical regions, this is especially true in Central Africa. Mechanical assistance in the form of tractors is often too expensive for areas where horticulture is practiced. That is why this labor-intensive production method is more suitable for these regions.
Population density
An important factor remains the population density, as long as it remains low and there is sufficient land to continue to use new pieces of land, horticulture is ideally suited as a means of livelihood. However, if these conditions cannot be met, this will inevitably lead to depletion of the soil and thus a sharp decline in production, which in turn leads to hunger.