SHIFTING CULTIVATION

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SHIFTING CULTIVATION

1. What is Shifting Cultivation?

Shifting cultivation is a traditional farming practice in which farmers clear a small patch of forest by cutting and burning vegetation. The land is cultivated for one to three years until the soil loses its fertility. Farmers then move to a new plot, leaving the old land uncultivated for several years so it can naturally regain its fertility. This method is mainly practiced in tropical forest regions by tribal and indigenous communities. It requires simple tools and little investment. Shifting cultivation is also known as slash-and-burn agriculture and has been practiced for centuries as a subsistence farming system.

2. Where is Shifting Cultivation Practised?

Shifting cultivation is mainly practiced in tropical and subtropical regions where dense forests and abundant rainfall support natural vegetation. It is common in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In India, it is widely practiced in the North-Eastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura. Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Madagascar, and Tanzania also practice this farming method under different local names. Although modern agriculture is replacing it in many areas, it remains important for tribal livelihoods.

3. Names of Shifting Cultivation in Different Countries

Shifting cultivation is known by different local names across the world. In India, it is called Jhum, while in Sri Lanka, it is known as Chena. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is called Ladang. The Philippines calls it Kaingin, Thailand uses Tamrai, Vietnam calls it Ray, and Myanmar refers to it as Taungya. In Africa, it is known as Bush Fallow, Matabi, Ngasou, and Tavy. In Latin America, local names include Milpa, Roça, Conuco, Roza, and Chakra, reflecting regional farming traditions.

4. Cycle of Shifting Cultivation