A farmer survey was implemented to appraise farmers' perceptions of soil and soil conservation and to identify key factors which determine farmers' choices of crop technologies and soil conversation practices. Observation and semi-structured farmer interviews were used to collect data from a sample population of 39 farmers from a 'pilot' study area in the south-east of the island. Between all the farmers many forms of soil erosion phenomena were identified but many farmers claimed there was no erosion or recognised it in only one form. Few farmers consciously employ soil conservation practices other than those associated with particular commercial crops which have been introduced by extension services. However, some innovate farmers have developed their own soil conservation practices. Commercial small farm systems still include many components of the traditional subsistence small farm systems, such as high tree cover levels, crop diversity, and ground cover soil surface protection which have positive soil conservation characteristics. Recommendations have been made for further research and for specific soil conservation extension activities. Particularly important is the promotion of the positive soil conservation characteristics of existing farming systems based on traditional practices. Also emphasised is the need to examine each existing and newly introduced crop technology, in order to establish the negative and/or positive soil conservation impact that will be caused by introducing that crop to existing farming systems.

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