Traditional agroecosystems, based on the cultivation of a diversity of crops and varieties have allowed traditional farmers to maximise harvest security using low levels of technology and with limited environmental impact. Many Latin American agroecosystems are small-scale, geographically discontinuous, and occupy a variety of ecological niches. Richly diverse, site-specific farming systems are well adapted to local conditions. By adopting a multiple-use strategy, indigenous farmers manage a continuum of agricultural and natural systems and ensure multifunctional agriculture.
