Shifting cultivation

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Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which a person uses a piece of land, only to abandon or alter the initial use a short time later.

This system often involves clearing of a piece of land followed by several years of wood harvesting or farming until the soil loses fertility.

Once the land becomes inadequate for crop production, it is left to be reclaimed by natural vegetation, or sometimes converted to a different long term cyclical farming practice.

This system of agriculture is often practised at the level of an individual or family, but sometimes may involve an entire village.

An estimated population exceeding 250 million people derive subsistence from the practice of shifting cultivation, and ecological consequences are often deleterious..

For more information about the topic Shifting cultivation, read the full article at Wikipedia.org.
Related articles:

Slash and burn — Slash and burn (a specific practice that may be part of shifting cultivation or swidden-fallow agriculture) is an agricultural procedure widely used ... > read more

Agroecology — Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design, development, and management of sustainable agricultural ... > read more

Controlled burn — Prescribed or controlled burning is a technique sometimes used in forest management, farming, or prairie restoration. Fire is a natural part of both ... > read more

Sustainable agriculture — Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities. Sustainable ... > read more

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