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Shifting cultivation refers to :
- a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.
- b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .
- c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.
- d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot o...
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned while post-disturbance fallow vegetation is allowed to freely grow while the cultivator moves on to another plot. The period of cultivation is usually terminated when the soil shows signs of exhaustion or, more commonly, when the field is overrun by weeds. The length of time that a field is cultivated is usually shorter than the period over which the land is allowed to regenerate by lying fallow.
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Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot o...
Shifting Cultivation: A Brief Explanation
Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture or swidden agriculture, is an agricultural practice where a plot of land is cleared by felling trees and the vegetation is burned. The ashes produced from the burned vegetation are mixed with the soil, providing essential nutrients for the crops. The cultivator then grows crops on this land until the soil loses its fertility, at which point the cultivator moves to a new plot of fertile land.
The Process of Shifting Cultivation
1. Land Clearing: The first step in shifting cultivation is land clearing. The farmer or cultivator cuts down trees and burns the vegetation on a particular plot of land. This helps in clearing the land of unwanted vegetation and also provides ash, which acts as a natural fertilizer.
2. Crop Cultivation: After the land is cleared, the cultivator plants crops such as maize, cassava, millet, or yams. These crops are usually grown for subsistence purposes, meaning they are grown to meet the needs of the cultivator and their family rather than for commercial purposes.
3. Harvesting: The crops are allowed to grow until they are ready for harvest. The cultivator then harvests the crops and uses them for their own consumption.
4. Fallow Period: Once the soil loses its fertility and the crop yields decline, the land is left fallow for a certain period of time. During this fallow period, the land is allowed to regenerate its fertility naturally. This can take several years, depending on the region and the type of vegetation.
5. Shift to a New Plot: After the fallow period, the cultivator moves on to a new plot of land and repeats the process of land clearing, crop cultivation, and fallow period. This allows the previously used land to regain its fertility while the cultivator continues to meet their agricultural needs on a new plot.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Shifting Cultivation
Advantages:
- Shifting cultivation allows cultivators to make use of fertile land without the need for intensive agricultural practices.
- It provides a sustainable way of farming, as the fallow period allows the land to naturally regenerate its fertility.
- Shifting cultivation is often practiced by indigenous communities who have a deep understanding of their local ecosystems and can adapt their farming practices accordingly.
Disadvantages:
- Shifting cultivation can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity if not practiced sustainably.
- It may not be suitable for regions with high population densities, as the fallow periods required for land regeneration may not be feasible.
- Shifting cultivation is often criticized for its contribution to carbon emissions when large areas of land are burned.
Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture or swidden agriculture, is an agricultural practice where a plot of land is cleared by felling trees and the vegetation is burned. The ashes produced from the burned vegetation are mixed with the soil, providing essential nutrients for the crops. The cultivator then grows crops on this land until the soil loses its fertility, at which point the cultivator moves to a new plot of fertile land.
The Process of Shifting Cultivation
1. Land Clearing: The first step in shifting cultivation is land clearing. The farmer or cultivator cuts down trees and burns the vegetation on a particular plot of land. This helps in clearing the land of unwanted vegetation and also provides ash, which acts as a natural fertilizer.
2. Crop Cultivation: After the land is cleared, the cultivator plants crops such as maize, cassava, millet, or yams. These crops are usually grown for subsistence purposes, meaning they are grown to meet the needs of the cultivator and their family rather than for commercial purposes.
3. Harvesting: The crops are allowed to grow until they are ready for harvest. The cultivator then harvests the crops and uses them for their own consumption.
4. Fallow Period: Once the soil loses its fertility and the crop yields decline, the land is left fallow for a certain period of time. During this fallow period, the land is allowed to regenerate its fertility naturally. This can take several years, depending on the region and the type of vegetation.
5. Shift to a New Plot: After the fallow period, the cultivator moves on to a new plot of land and repeats the process of land clearing, crop cultivation, and fallow period. This allows the previously used land to regain its fertility while the cultivator continues to meet their agricultural needs on a new plot.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Shifting Cultivation
Advantages:
- Shifting cultivation allows cultivators to make use of fertile land without the need for intensive agricultural practices.
- It provides a sustainable way of farming, as the fallow period allows the land to naturally regenerate its fertility.
- Shifting cultivation is often practiced by indigenous communities who have a deep understanding of their local ecosystems and can adapt their farming practices accordingly.
Disadvantages:
- Shifting cultivation can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity if not practiced sustainably.
- It may not be suitable for regions with high population densities, as the fallow periods required for land regeneration may not be feasible.
- Shifting cultivation is often criticized for its contribution to carbon emissions when large areas of land are burned.
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Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot o...
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Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC.
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ample number of questions to practice Shifting cultivation refers to :a)The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.b)A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and ash mixed with soil and crops grown till the soil loses fertility and later the cultivator moves to a new fertile land .c)Herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water along defined routes.d)The land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock as practiced in Europe, Argentina etc.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
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