Question

How is ‘Slash and burn’ agriculture practiced? What are its main features?

Answer 1

Hint: In agriculture, there are many types of cultivation or farming methods that are used depending upon the sowing of crops or the climate effect of the farming system. The different types of cultivations are Shifting cultivation, intensive farming, extensive farming, etc.

Complete answer:
Slash and burn agriculture:Slash-and-burn Agriculture is a type of farming that involves cutting and burning plants in a forest or woodland to produce a swidden field. Cutting down trees and woody plants in an area is the first step in the procedure.

The downed vegetation, or "slash," is then allowed to dry, generally just before the rainy season begins. The biomass is then burned, resulting in a nutrient-rich layer of ash that fertilizes the soil while also eradicating weed and pest species for the time being. The plot's productivity declines after three to five years due to nutrient depletion and weed and pest invasion, prompting the farmers to abandon the field and relocate to a new location. The time it takes for a swidden to recover varies by location, but it can take anywhere from five to twenty years. After that, the plot can be cut and burned again, repeating the cycle.

Shifting agriculture is sometimes known as slash and burn agriculture. It is the most rudimentary form of agriculture used by indigenous people in tropical areas.

The following are some of the most notable characteristics of this agriculture:
- Forests are removed and trees are burned to make the area available for farming.
- Root crops and food crops are primarily farmed for personal consumption.
- When the soil becomes depleted after two years, they relocate to another forest region.
- The digging stick is primarily employed in agriculture.
- Productivity is low due to the lack of natural fertilizers and insecticides, among other factors.

Note: Problems that result from Slash and burn agriculture:
-deforestation
-loss of habitat and species
-increase in air pollution