ABSTRACT
Amazonian agroforestry systems include a diversity of production patterns, ranging from the most subtle manipulation of largely natural forests to increase their economic yields, to the creation and maintenance of near monocultural commercial orchards. Such swidden-fallow agroforestry techniques are based on indigenous practices. This chapter focuses on agroforestry production in only one village, Santa Rosa. Differences in diversity and level of production among swidden-fallow agroforestry fields in Santa Rosa are quite dramatic. The agroforestry systems that have been shown to produce commercial products in quantity differ greatly in diversity and mangement. The market-oriented agroforestry plots we described in the village of Tamshiyacu along the Amazon River, produce substantial quantities of fruit for the market in Iquitos. Most discussions of agroforestry systems suggest that low labor expenditure is one of their particularly attractive aspects. Commercialization of agroforestry produce, especially fruits, is fraught with difficulty for small Amazonian farmers.
