Shifting cultivation is a traditional farming method in which people clear a small piece of land, grow crops on it for a few years, and then leave it to regain fertility while they move to a new plot. It is also called slash-and- burn farming or jhum in some parts of India.

Quick Scoop

  • Farmers cut and burn vegetation on a patch of land. The ash helps add nutrients to the soil.
  • Crops are grown for a short time, usually until the soil becomes less fertile.
  • Then the land is left fallow, meaning it is allowed to rest and recover naturally.
  • Farmers shift to another plot and repeat the process.

Class 8 Answer

If you want a simple class 8 definition, you can write:

Shifting cultivation is a method of farming in which farmers clear a piece of land, cultivate it for a few years, and then move to another land when the soil loses fertility.

Why It Happens

  • It is often practiced in forested or hilly regions.
  • It is used where land is available and farmers depend on natural soil recovery.
  • The field is usually returned to natural vegetation after use.

Example

In India, shifting cultivation is commonly called jhum cultivation.

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