The correct answer is: a) Shifting cultivation (Jhum).
Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional agricultural system that involves clearing a piece of land by cutting down trees and then burning the vegetation. The ashes from the fire fertilize the soil, and crops are planted in the cleared area. After a few years, the land is abandoned and allowed to regenerate, while the farmers move on to clear a new piece of land.
Shifting cultivation is a sustainable agricultural practice when it is practiced in a way that allows the land to regenerate. However, when it is practiced too frequently or on land that is not suitable for it, it can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and other environmental problems.
Intensive commercial farming is a type of agriculture that uses large amounts of capital, labor, and technology to produce high yields of crops. This type of farming is often used to produce crops for export, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Terrace farming is a type of agriculture that is used in mountainous areas. Terraces are built on the hillsides to create level areas for planting crops. This type of farming helps to prevent soil erosion and provides a more stable environment for crops.
Plantation agriculture is a type of agriculture in which large areas of land are used to grow a single crop. This type of farming is often used to produce crops for export, such as coffee, tea, and rubber.
In Meghalaya, the predominant type of agriculture practiced is shifting cultivation (Jhum). This is because the state’s mountainous terrain and climate are not suitable for other types of agriculture. Shifting cultivation is a sustainable agricultural practice when it is practiced in a way that allows the land to regenerate. However, when it is practiced too frequently or on land that is not suitable for it, it can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and other environmental problems.