Shifting cultivation is also known as slash or burn cultivation. It is one of the oldest forms of subsistence and extensive agriculture, particularly in tropical regions. Shifting cultivation is an extensive farming practice and refers to anagricultural system in which a plot of land is temporarily cleared usually by burning and cultivated for short periods of time, then abandoned and left in fallow for more extended periods of time. During the fallow period, the land reverts to its natural vegetation, and the shifting cultivators move to another plot and repeat the process. Traditionally in addition to being self-sufficient the shifting cultivation system was very sustainable form of farming.
Merits of Shifting Cultivation:
(i) Shifting cultivation also ensures more productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
(ii) The slash-and- burn method allows the cultivators to easily grow crops and thus shifting cultivation is known as slash and burn cultivation.
(iii) In this type of cultivation, groups of people work together as such individual labour is minimized.
(iv) Multiple cropping ensures production of a variety of cereals and vegetation.
(v) The implement used in this type of cultivation is very simple.
(vi) Shifting cultivation do not require tilling of soil, irrigation facilities, fertilizer, etc.
Demerits of shifting cultivation:
(i) Shifting cultivation destroys the forest resources due to cutting of trees and plants. This also results in short supply of building materials.
(ii) Shifting cultivation also cause soil erosion and desertification.
(iii) The wild animals loss their source of food and shelter.
(iv) The frequent cutting of trees effect the climate of a region.
(v) It leads to low rainfall and drying up of springs in the hills and forests.
(vi) The shifting cultivators lack knowledge regarding use of improved variety of seeds, fertilizers, etc. hence they have less production and produce are considered uneconomical.
