| Upland agriculture on the island of Java, Indonesia is characterized by high levels of accelerated erosion due to inappropriate cultivation practices. Because many poor smallholders are unable to generate the capital required to revise these practices, many remain locked into ecologically unstable and low-yielding agriculture.; An examination of the problem at the household level, supplemented by relevant institutional information as to the relationship between credit access and accelerated erosion, reveals that the problem could be resolved in large part if: (1) Local upland farmers are involved in project design and extension workers work closely with them; (2) Credit cooperatives are formed with women playing a major role in their administration; (3) Land tenure is more secure; and (4) The information base is improved. |
