Aspects of Land Use in Slash and Burn Agriculture

Abstract

In this note we first develop a formal model of land use by shifting cultivators when these cultivators can select whether to plant a cash crop or a food or subsistence crop. Second, we analyze the land quality accumulation decision faced by swidden cultivators and we demonstrate how to calculate the optimal length of time during which cleared land is to be fallowed. Third, we examine the implications that the optimal land quality accumulation decision has for the relative price of the food crop and for swidden agriculture.

Keywords: Cash Crop, Fallow, Food Crop, Land Quality Accumulation, Slash and Burn Agriculture

JEL Classification: Q12, Q24, D81