Title: Evolving more sustainable agriculture in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Authors: C.J. Barrow, N.W. Chan, Tarmiji Bin Masron

Addresses: Department of Geography, School of the Environment and Society, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK. ' Department of Geography, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia. ' Department of Geography, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: Smallholders in many tropical highlands cause serious environmental damage. The Cameron Highlands of Malaysia offer an excellent opportunity for studying how farmers interact with environment, changing markets, infrastructure development, indigenous peoples, and tourism, and how these shape innovation. Our surveys in 2002-2004, 2006 and 2007 show that farmers have intensified production and in doing so some have adopted less damaging practices. We assess trends and causation of changes; this offers opportunities for more proactive management. These findings should be useful for other tropical highlands and possibly lowland urban and periurban smallholders.

Keywords: smallholders; tropical highlands; highland agriculture; land degradation; sustainable development; organic farming; Malaysia; sustainability; sustainable agriculture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2008.022747

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2008 Vol.7 No.6, pp.450 - 468

Published online: 25 Jan 2009 *

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