The traditional shifting cultivation cycle
- Site selection and clearing: Forest plots on hill slopes are cut down during the dry winter season (December-January).
- Burning and ash incorporation: Slashed vegetation is allowed to dry and burned in March-April, providing a nutrient-rich mineral ash layer.
- Mixed cropping: Diverse seeds of upland rice, maize, millets, ginger, and vegetables are dibbled directly into unploughed soil with the onset of monsoon rains.
- Fallow period: After two to three years of harvest, plots are left fallow for years to allow vegetative regeneration.
Ecological challenges of shortened fallow cycles
Historically, fallow periods lasted 15 to 20 years, allowing forest ecosystems to restore organic fertility and soil structure. However, population growth and land constraints have shortened fallow cycles to under 3 to 5 years, leading to accelerated topsoil erosion, biodiversity depletion, and declining crop productivity.
Transition to settled agroforestry
Central and state governments implement rehabilitation programs supporting farmers with settled terraced agriculture, horticultural plantations (spices, fruits, and rubber), and integrated watershed agroforestry under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Official source
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Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is shifting cultivation called in Northeast India?
In Northeast India, shifting cultivation is widely known as Jhum cultivation.
Why do farmers burn vegetation in slash-and-burn farming?
Burning vegetation clears biomass and creates an ash layer rich in potash and minerals that temporarily enriches acidic hill soils.
What is the primary ecological risk of shortened Jhum cycles?
Short fallow periods prevent soil regeneration, causing severe topsoil erosion, nutrient depletion, and deforestation.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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