CHAPTER 1
 INTRODUCTION

 Maintenance of Traditional Agricultural Practices

 Many individuals discuss the importance of maintaining traditional agricultural

practices. Some argue that using these practices promote biodiversity and cultural

diversity. Berkes (1999) defines traditional agricultural practices (TAP) as locally

adapted agroecological management behaviors. Farmers transmit them from one

generation to another. He believes that these practices encourage biodiversity and offer

insight into biological species, systems analysis and resource management (Berkes,

1999). Alteri (2001) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

(2004) depict the maintenance of TAP as encouraging stability of production, diversity

in the diet and reduced insect and disease incidence by increasing on-farm biodiversity .

Some researchers encourage examining and researching indigenous farmers' use of TAP

because they may offer solutions previously overlooked to problems related to ecological

degradation and food security.

 Gliessman describes these practices as contributing to the conservation of

indigenous knowledge and culture (2003). Further, anthropological research

demonstrates a relationship between loss of biodiversity and cultural diversity or

linguistic diversity (Harmon, 1996) and suggests that maintaining biocultural diversity is

important. Maffi (2005) says "It was increasingly apparent that the variety of cultural

knowledge, beliefs, and practices developed by human societies...are being placed at

risk by the socioeconomic and political processes threatening the integrity and the very