Ceremonies also announce the long-time proven dates for agricultural activities to start or end in order to avoid crop failures. Change I believe that mountain farmers are aware of the fact that some of their practises are not ecologically sound. They often have no choice. More and more mouths need to be fed. Chemical fertilisers allow them to continuously farm these fragile plots until nothing is left.
Many people migrate to other regions, either for longer or short periods.
Some of them earn some money in the cities, industries or in mining to be able to continue their mountain life. Others leave the mountains forgood and invest only in their new lives elsewhere. Their lands are left fallow or are farmed by relatives staying behind. As soon as an opportunity comes along, many men leave. Women who stay behind with their children are left with still more farming work to be done.