From sustainable development to "productive conservation": Forest conservation options and agricultural income and assets in the Brazilian Amazon

This paper assesses arguments for the "productive conservation" thesis, whi ch contends that family farming in tropical regions such as the Amazon can generate significant income and assets while maintaining forest cover. Data come from a 1996 survey of households in Uruara, a community along the Tra nsamazon highway in Brazil. A descriptive analysis shows that households en gaged in intensification, diversification, and forestry, proposed as import ant methods for forest conservation, and that they earned U.S.$1,600 from a gricultural production and owned properties worth U.S.$16,500. A multivaria te analysis shows that components of small farm systems associated with for est conservation made significant contributions to agricultural incomes and property values. I suggest that productive conservation requires community action which fosters ties with outside institutions while educating produc ers.