Land Use and Agriculture In Your Country

Land Use and Agriculture In Vanuatu

1. One estimate, made in 2005, is that only 9% of land is used for agriculture. 7% of that land is permanent crops, and the other 2% is arable. Around 36% of the land is forests, the rest is classified as other.

2. Monoculture: The pros are that it reduces plant competition for nutrients, it costs less, and machinery reduces the amount of labor needed. Finally, it sells well in market for a high price.

The cons are that it relies on fossil fuels a lot, and can lower the amount of nitrogen in the soil, as well as let diseases spread easily through the plants. This method can even produce less food per acre.

Polyculture: The pros are that more than one crop can be planted in the same space. It reduces the chances that plants may get diseases. Animal wastes can be used to fertilize the crops, and the income for farmers is more stable.

The cons are that it takes longer to harvest all of the crops, and it requires more time to tend to all the individual types of crops. There can also be seed loss and higher up-front seed costs.

Slash and Burn: The pros are that if it is done in smaller areas it is not as harmful as doing it in super large areas. If slash and burn is done from decade to decade it can actually be good for the soil and environment. If used properly, it can be a good source of food and income. It also allows people to farm in places that it wouldn't be possible because of low soil nutrient content, soil infertility and ect.

The cons are that deforestation can occur if this method is done before vegetation can grow back. Nutrient loss in soil can happen, and even biodiversity loss is a possibility if slash and burn is not perfected.

3. 80% of the people in Vanuatu take part in agricultural activities that range from subsistence farming to smallholder farming of coconuts. The most important agricultural product is copra. This is the dried flesh of coconuts, that is typically produced by individual households on large-scale plantations. Without agriculture, i imagine that Vanuatu would be in severe debt because they would lose a large chunk of their income.