Website 5.6 Agricultural Production Regions

Discuss which intensive agricultural practice is most common in your country.

In Nicaragua, the most common intensive agricultural practice is the cultivation of crops such as maize (corn), beans, rice, sorghum, plantains, and cassava for domestic consumption. These crops typically require more labor and resources, including irrigation, fertilizers, and pest control, which are characteristics of intensive agriculture.

Identify if it is capital intensive or labor intensive

Agriculture in Nicaragua is primarily labor-intensive. The country’s main crops include coffee, cotton, bananas, sugar, and beef cattle. Coffee has been the country’s principal crop since the 1870s 

Family farms account for 84.4 percent of all Nicaraguan farm holdings, while family business farms account for 15.5 percent. These family farms are typically labor-intensive as they rely heavily on human labor rather than machinery or technology.

Discuss examples of different methods on planting such as Double Cropping, Intercropping/multicropping, and Monocropping (Monoculture).

Double Cropping: This is an agricultural technique where two different crops are planted and harvested sequentially on the same plot of land within a single year. In Nicaragua, farmers have been introduced to “Double Row Corn” technology, which involves planting 12 corn plants in a linear meter to obtain a population density of 120 thousand plants per acre. This method has resulted in higher yields and is seen as a way to maximize the use of land and resources.

Intercropping/Multicropping: This involves growing two or more crops in proximity. The goal is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources that would otherwise not be utilized by a single crop. While specific examples of intercropping in Nicaragua are not readily available, it’s worth noting that farmers in Nicaragua have been encouraged to diversify their crops and try different production methods, such as fruit production and forestry, to improve their livelihoods and food security.

Monocropping (Monoculture): This is the agricultural practice of growing a single crop year after year on the same land. In Nicaragua, beans are a common monocrop, especially on the western volcanic range. However, this method has been found to be unstable and threatening to smallholders’ livelihoods and food security. The environmental and economic pressures of monocropping have led to calls for diversification and the adoption of more sustainable farming practices.