Shifting cultivation (jhum) is a traditional agricultural system that involves clearing a piece of land by cutting and burning the vegetation, then cultivating crops on the land for a few years before abandoning it and moving on to a new plot. This type of agriculture is often practiced in tropical forests, where the land is relatively fertile but the soil is easily depleted by intensive cultivation.
Shifting cultivation is characterized by:
- Clearing of forest land: The first step in shifting cultivation is to clear a piece of forest land by cutting down the trees and shrubs. This is often done by hand, using axes or machetes.
- Burning of vegetation: Once the land has been cleared, the vegetation is burned. This helps to clear the land of weeds and pests, and it also releases nutrients into the soil.
- Short cultivation periods: After the land has been burned, crops are planted and cultivated for a few years. The length of time that the land is cultivated varies depending on the fertility of the soil and the availability of land.
- Abandonment of land: After a few years, the land is abandoned and the farmers move on to a new plot. This is because the soil has become depleted by cultivation and the land is no longer productive.
Shifting cultivation is a sustainable agricultural system when it is practiced in a way that allows the land to recover between cultivation cycles. However, when it is practiced in a way that does not allow the land to recover, it can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and other environmental problems.
In recent years, there has been a decline in the practice of shifting cultivation due to a number of factors, including population growth, deforestation, and the expansion of commercial agriculture. However, shifting cultivation is still practiced by millions of people around the world, and it is an important part of the livelihoods of many indigenous communities.