Showing papers by "Michael R. Dove published in 1984"

Man, Land, and Game in Sumbawa: Some Observations on Agrarian Ecology and Development Policy in Eastern Indonesia

Abstract: The island of Sumbawa, in the eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago (Fig. l), encompasses a wide and interesting variety of agroecosystems, by which is meant the complex of relationships between specific human communities, their systems of agriculture, and the environments in which these systems are practised. The juxtaposition of such agroecosystems presents a good opportunity to reexamine some of the prevailing views of agricultural development (and underdevelopment), environmental degradation, and the role of local government in the development process. This paper will commence with a description of each of the principal agroecosystems on the island -- namely swidden agriculture, permanent field dryland agriculture, irrigated rice cultivation, and grassland hunting and grazing -- and an analysis of some of their more problematic aspects. This will be followed by a general discussion of the relationship between human populations, agriculture, and land cover in Sumbawa, which with one or two possible exceptions seems to be in accord with Boserup’s (1965) thesis. Finally the current effects of government policies on these relationships will be assessed.

Man, land and game in sumbawa: some observations on agrarian ecology and development policy in eastern indonesia

Abstract: The island of Sumbawa, in the eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago (Fig. l), encompasses a wide and interesting variety of agroecosystems, by which is meant the complex of relationships between specific human communities, their systems of agriculture, and the environments in which these systems are practised. The juxtaposition of such agroecosystems presents a good opportunity to reexamine some of the prevailing views of agricultural development (and underdevelopment), environmental degradation, and the role of local government in the development process. This paper will commence with a description of each of the principal agroecosystems on the island -- namely swidden agriculture, permanent field dryland agriculture, irrigated rice cultivation, and grassland hunting and grazing -- and an analysis of some of their more problematic aspects. This will be followed by a general discussion of the relationship between human populations, agriculture, and land cover in Sumbawa, which with one or two possible exceptions seems to be in accord with Boserup’s (1965) thesis. Finally the current effects of government policies on these relationships will be assessed.