Many methods can be used to achieve more intensive resource use. Early efforts in England, Germany, and other European countries included more intensive crop rotations, green manuring, forage-livestock systems, drainage, and irrigation. In many developing countries,
these same factors increased land productivity. Terracing is an effective means of conserving soil productivity in hilly areas of Asia. In the mountainous regions of Central America, grass strips have been used to create terrace-like structures that conserve soil and enhance productivity.Crop rotations are frequently used to enhance soil productivity and control pests. Hayami and Ruttan estimate that agricultural development based on similar types of “conservation” has been responsible for sustaining growth rates in agricultural production in the range of 1 percent per year in many countries, including developing countries,
for long periods of time