Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
To overcome this problem with a view to enhancing the livelihood of smallholder
farmers requires the development of participatory and sustainable models of land and
biodiversity management based on farmers' technologies and knowledge within their
farming systems. Recognizing this approach as one of the major objectives of PLEC
work in Ghana, a search was made to identify sustainable traditional land manage-
ment practices within the PLEC demonstration sites, Tano-Odumasi and Jachie
(Map A). The search revealed the existence of a slash-and-no-burn system, which, in
the Akan-speaking areas, is referred to as
proka
, or
oprowka
, its dialectal variation.
It literally translates “add to by rotting”. Because it favours biodiversity conservation
and agricultural production but is dying out, PLEC has directed its attention to reviv-
ing and encouraging its practice through demonstrations by expert farmers.
This chapter describes the
proka
system with reference to the PLEC demon-
stration sites at Tano-Odumasi and Jachie in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone
of central Ghana (Map B).
Methodology
The methods used for the study consisted of desk work and fieldwork. The desk
work involved a review of relevant literature on the subject from as many sources
as possible and accessing the general survey data accumulated in the PLEC data-
base. Where data on aspects of the subject matter are lacking for the PLEC sites,
other relevant data from central Ghana are used and duly acknowledged.
The fieldwork involved iterative dialogue sessions and interactions between
a multidisciplinary team of researchers and collaborating PLEC farmers under the
UNU/PLEC-Ghana project. Emphasis was laid on focused group discussions,
informal interviews, particularly with expert farmers and the aged, and visits to
and observations at farmers' fields.
Soil samples were taken from various land-use stage sites at Tano-Odumasi to
a depth of 30 cm at 15 cm increments for routine chemical, physical, and biolog-
ical analysis. The land-use stages studied comprised agroforestry (
proka
man-
aged), annual cropping (
proka
managed), annual cropping (slash-and-burn), and
native forest (sacred grove).
Discussion of findings
Proka
defined
Proka
is a land management practice whereby the vegetation cleared in the course
of land preparation for farming is left in place without burning.
Crops are subsequently planted through the plant biomass, which forms a mat of
mulch and decomposes
in situ
to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil for the
