polycultivation

"Polycultivation mimics the forest structure, minimizing instability, preventing degradation and integrating both intensive and extensive labor techniques that maximize production. ... The objective of polycultivation is to resolve smallholder’s self-sustaining needs. A smallholder can’t eat only grain, and therefore needs to harvest a variety of foods to meet nutritional needs. Polyculture uses land intensively and is able to support high population densities. In a place where labor is not a scarce resource, polyculture relies on the local labor force."