El desarrollo del potencial agrícola en los trópicos húmedos de la América Central

Based upon the FAO study of potential land use of Central America, it is possible to estimate the agricultural potential of the land in the Isthmus. Research at IICA, Turrialba, in methods of inventory and evaluation of agricultural resources to be used as a basis for development planning offers a practical approach to the development, area by area, of the agriculture of Latin America. Using this experience, accumulated in the laboratory and in the field, we now feel confident to make the following recommendations, even though some of them contradict the traditional views about the humid tropics. As more experience and information is available, the recommendations and development planning can be more precise and more detailed. A summary of recommendations for the agricultural development of the humid tropics includes: The humid tropics include substantial areas of lands suitable for ever agricultural development, much more than has been developed at this date. The lands suitable for agricultural development can be identified and classified using a rapid and inexpensive method of land classification: Potential land use, as developed and tested by IICA/FAO. This classification serves as the basis for agricultural development planning, and should be used prior to development. On lands suitable for agricultural development, Potential Land Use Classes I and II, only a high technical agricultural operating on a commercial scale can be recommended. The basic requirements necessary for the development of this kind of agriculture are described. Other lands, Classes III and IV, should not be developed until a more rational system of exploitation is known. The modern, commercial agriculture recommended for the humid tropics can be provided by farms organized as (a) large, family farms, or (b) plantation farms, or possibly as (c ) cooperative farms. Small, family farms or extensive farming using traditional (primitive) methods, both with resulting low yields, cannot be recommended for the humid tropics.