Exploring farmer knowledge of soil processes in organic coffee systems of Chiapas, Mexico

This research explores the commonalities and differences between local farmersʹ understanding of soil quality in a small catchment in central Honduras and that of a US soil scientist. The authors investigated the ways in which the local farmers categorized and managed soils and land uses. The US soil scientist also conducted independent measurements and analyses for varying indicators of soil quality throughout the catchment. There were both differences and similarities between the two views of soil quality. Farmersʹ understanding of soil quality was heavily influenced by the fact that agricultural production was their primary concern, while the soil scientist had a more holistic view of plant productivity. Broader scale movement of soil and water was not a particular concern of the farmers, despite the occurrence of mass wasting and slumping every year. Landform type was a key management variable for both, however, as were soil texture and drainage patterns.