of the precipitation. In general, soil fertility is not
limiting, but topography is.
Areas cultivated per family are usually small (1 to 2 ha),WHA with cultivation done by hand or animal power. Maize is theMAZ primary crop, but because local varieties need nine months orGRS
more to reach maturity, the maize is intercropped with two to PT
five other crops. Some diversified farms practice rotations. MIETE
Livestock on a typical farm might consist of one or twoWHA
pigs, four to five sheep (in higher areas), and one cow. In FRSED AD FU
addition, there would be approximately one horse per three farms.WHA Except during the dry or cold seasons, animals are tethered to avoid crop damage. Womnen and children are involved in both U.MAIZE
livestock and cropping enterprises. Men often work off-farm to BUSH ~ supplement incomes, and the women and children must carry on the MAIZE WHEAT BEANS DEN MAIZE
major tasks (Hildebrand 1978). There are many landless laborers FWHEAT
in the highlands. many of them farm small plots through an __arrangement with a landholder and in return will then provide him with labor.
Because of poor roads and/or distance to market, fertilizer
costs are high, thus recycling of nutrients through composting is important to the system. Many farms have a "compost pit" where Figure 2.7. Land use of small farm typical of western highlands
animal manures and crop residues are mixed. Materials are of Guatemala
frequently gathered from off the farms to increase the amount of compost. Livestock feed sources are largely from unfarmed areas (fallow, forests, or communal grazing) and cut forages, e.g.,SPCFCMALAREXPE
maize leaves. Terraces are used to reduce erosion and to SEZFCSALFR XML
conserve water in a number of areas. Grass areas on the slopes Teojcieo hsscini ofrhrilsrt
of the terraces are a source of livestock feed. Wool from the Thika e objetvens of th saeto is tofrter illusreate
sheep is of poor quality; nevertheless, it is used to weave "lirnaes" or ee"a the cmlxtofarmalvlinarde sy to inefase
clothing and handicrafts, which are sold (Fitzhugh 1978). Pigs awnde iss o the copext of ar a ne l-ar tnag sysem the fastrm
are marketed at 9 to 12 months, Milk is used mainly for home underandiscussiontisain anre ne insatenano in theni wety
consumption or made into cheese, Calves born on the farm are highlnds ofGuatla where th co nsutingteside Ciei 
kept to maturity (4.5 to 5 years) before sale. Livestock may gtinon a l fgioars.(CA scnutng etnie ivsi
play only a minor role in family nutrition, as the primary foods g Tn onr sml arms. hnaerg nte utml hglns
are maize and beans. There is a high degree of interdependence ith a rm is2 argerthan035h avee rnte ingasa hiolans;.
between farm families and their livestock, especially since ithog has l 5.25 pha of wiec0.35 nohaapren td grssan frest.s
recycling of animal and crop wastes is such a major aspect of the Altnhoh al atps of exletocarse nt repreistd he am hs
system (Diaz 1978). bareen chose od as cnrxaple beaudlsete k relionships tamon the
With increasing population pressures and the resulting cmrkext, e hoehl, cos an salvestock owell ade orte te
deforestation, fuel is becoming a more severe problem, icmlexitis ofeifes mones a u smlarm. inldogs hae noauete
Lack of capital, size of farm, limited access to additional fainlded ni er previous moes, butin ar n inclu e here cuethre,
land, and tenure status are all constraints in the highlands famdiy considersoth dog ase hain aerstroncole. inpthes utre
section eonual a ilaboit e of s laor als farms ap sold, and they do consume a significant part of the food produced
coraint seaoia adeb ilabi it nc frlao rke and lckme of on the farm. The bee is the other animal found on the farm that
adequraite acce rad 1978).Dsacfrmakeanlcko has not been mentioned before; although bees are not too carmon
adeqateacces radswill limit ability to sell fresh productsasafrenrpisoeamsnalaesofGtmlad
like milk. Meat production and wool are less dependent on ae atfametrrssm am n l ra fGaeaad
infrastructure. hae The m i rp r azatpeo enlclycle
There is some potential for further diversification in the Tio hae main copsaeo maiz, whatyp ano atbean l oycaed i
cropan prysutei waz edould roid opotnitesed foradiionalf smaller amounts are fava or European broad beans, locally called
lieock poduction Tol rinnin shertuing and preervtionaof haba ( Vicia faba ); fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs for
woolswould iprovetin quality gi ern and increaseio saes teas or medicines. The primary livestock enterprises are cattle
woolwoud iprov qulit an inceas saes.for milk, swine, and chickens. one-fourth of the farm surrounds
the house (Figure 2.7), and the rest is scattered in various parcels. Two-thirds of the land is owned and one-third is rented from relatives. Land rent is half the value of the crop after
46 4