Shifting cultivation
Shifting cultivation
Shifting cultivation (pronunciation: /ˈʃɪftɪŋ ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/), also known as slash-and-burn agriculture or swidden agriculture, is a traditional method of agriculture where an area of land is cleared of vegetation and cultivated for a few years until its productivity declines.
Etymology
The term "shifting cultivation" is derived from the practice's characteristic of shifting from one area to another. The term "slash-and-burn" refers to the method of clearing the land by cutting and burning the vegetation.
Process
Shifting cultivation typically involves the following steps:
- Clearing: The cultivator selects an area of the forest and cuts down the vegetation. This is often done by hand, using simple tools such as machetes.
- Burning: The cut vegetation is left to dry and then burned, resulting in a layer of ash that enriches the soil.
- Planting: The cultivator plants crops in the cleared area. The crops are often mixed, with different species planted together to take advantage of their complementary growth habits.
- Harvesting: The crops are harvested when they are mature. The harvest may be staggered, with different crops being harvested at different times.
- Fallowing: After a few years of cultivation, the productivity of the land declines due to nutrient depletion. The cultivator then leaves the area to recover and moves on to a new area.
Related terms
- Swidden: A patch of land cleared for cultivation by slashing and burning the vegetation.
- Fallow: Land that is left to rest and recover after being cultivated.
- Slash-and-burn: A method of clearing land for cultivation by cutting and burning the vegetation.
- Subsistence agriculture: A type of agriculture where the crops are primarily grown for the cultivator's own consumption.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Shifting cultivation
- Wikipedia's article - Shifting cultivation
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