Question

Jhoom farming is also known as
(a)Multiple cropping
(b)Crop rotation
(c)Slash and burn agriculture
(d)None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Crops are grown on land after the destruction of plants and another vegetation present on that part of the land and it is considered that the nutrients obtained from destruction of vegetation enrich the fertility of the soil.

Complete answer:
Jhoom farming is also known as ‘slash and burn agriculture’ or ‘fire-fallow cultivation. In this farming method, the trees and other vegetation that are present on a particular land are cut down to create the field for crop cultivation. This created field is termed as Swidden and the downed vegetation is known as Slash. The slash is left for some time to become dry and when it gets dry, the whole biomass of slash is burnt. A layer of ash is formed in the field due to the burning of biomass and it makes the soil more fertile because the ash is rich in nutrients that are required for the proper growth of crops to be cultivated in the created field. This method not only gives a nutrient-rich soil to the crops but also weeds and pests are temporarily removed from that area of land which is an aid in increasing the productivity. After four to five years of cropping, the soil in that area again becomes less fertile due to a decrease in nutrient content, and in that case, the farmers move to another area and repeat the same procedure. It is also a part of shifting cultivation because the farmers are always being shifted to another area after a certain number of growing seasons. On one hand, the method is beneficial because the productivity of crops is comparatively better but on the other hand, it is harmful to the environment because the forests get cleared for crop cultivation and it affects biodiversity and environment.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Slash and burn agriculture’.

Note: -In multiple cropping, two or more crops are grown in the same area of land during the same growing season and the method is practiced to get rid of weeds without using any chemical agent.
-In crop rotation, on the same area of land, multiple crops are grown but in successive growing seasons. So, in one growing season, there is only one crop on the land. Exhausting of the soil nutrients is prevented in this method and also, the weeds and pests are controlled.