English translation: land that was not previously forested
Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
French to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Agriculture
French term or phrase:autres précédents que forestiers
From a book on cocoa, talking about the situation in Ghana.
I realize I am quite tired, but I have to admit, I am having trouble with the entire last sentence. I will post two separate questions.
I found precedent in a farming context to mean preceding crops or first crops, or is it the idea of crops based on criteria other than forest land?
Le problème de la
rémunération du planteur devient crucial pour le développement durable des filières
cacaoyères quand on arrive à l’épuisement de leurs terres d’élection : les forêts. À la fois se
pose le défi de l’installation, plus chère, sur d’autres précédents que forestiers, et celui de
l’augmentation des rendements du verger existant par le biais d’utilisation d’intrants.
Explanation: "previously forested land" seems common
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 23 mins (2008-08-22 15:50:01 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Um, I think "land that was not previously forested" means that there were never any forests there. Which is I think what this text means. There are not further opportunities for using land where forest once stood, so they have to use land other than previously forested land, like the local cricket pitch or something.
Clarification: Land that's already been cultivated is pricier than virgin forest land. The farmers prefer virgin forest land because it's cheaper (more work, though), but it's hard to come by these days.
The meaning, or so it seems, is that the cocoa bean farmers are being forced into buying forest land that has already been cultivated because virgin forest land is becoming very scarce. The problem, though, is that land that's already been cultivated is more expensive. However, I can't tell you why that is the case.
I hope this brings some clarity.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
13 mins confidence:
preceding crop other than forests
Explanation: it is preceding/previous crop (although a forest might not be considered a crop in all contexts)
Jean-Louis S. United States Local time: 11:56 Native speaker of: French PRO pts in category: 16
Explanation: "previously forested land" seems common
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 23 mins (2008-08-22 15:50:01 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Um, I think "land that was not previously forested" means that there were never any forests there. Which is I think what this text means. There are not further opportunities for using land where forest once stood, so they have to use land other than previously forested land, like the local cricket pitch or something.
Eutychus Local time: 17:56 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 15
Grading comment
This sounds clearest to me. Thanks to everyone for your help with this tricky sentence!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Eutychus, that sounded most natural to my ears when I was first tackling this sentence, but since the forests have been all exhausted, I don't see how they can move to land that was not forested, since it no longer exists. Don't know if I'm making sense here... :-)
Asker: Yes, of course, now I see. Oh, dear. I think I need a break - I was reading forested as DEforested in my head. Thanks very much for your help!!
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +4
