The Length of the Fallow Period in Tropical Fallow Farming Systems: A Discussion with Evidence from Sierra Leone

The length of the fallow period in tropical fallowing systems is usually reported in the literature as a single period of years (e.g. six years) or as a range of years (e.g. 6-12 years) without reference to the extent of the area being considered. Using enumeration area data from the agricultural statistical survey of Sierra Leone, 1965/6 it is demonstrated that fallowing practices are more complicated than the literature suggests. Indeed a significant proportion of holdings are made up of fields having fallow periods of different lengths. Whilst population density and environmental conditions may influence fallowing practices it is clear that other factors are also important, most notably management decisions by farmers and varying access to land within communal tenure systems.