primitive subsistence agriculture
The primitive subsistence agriculture or shifting cultivation is characterised by the following features:(i) Sites for the shifting cultivation are usually selected in the virgin forest by the experienced elders. Hill slopes are preferred because of better drainage. Many shifting cultivation are located in the remote interiors, far from the main population centres.
This is partly for historical reasons as most shifting cultivators have been forced into less favourable areas by the expansion of more advanced farmers into the lower and better lands. Their isolation hinders their progress and makes the spread of new ideas more difficult.
(ii) The forests are usually cleared by fire and the ashes add to the fertility of the soil. Trees that are not burnt are hacked out by the men or left to decay naturally. Shifting cultivation is thus also called ‘slash-and-burn agriculture’.
(iii) The cultivated patches are usually very small; about 0.5-1 hectare (1-3 acres) scattered in their distribution and separated from one another by dense forests or bush.
(iv) Cultivation is done with very primitive tools such as sticks and hoes, without the aid of machines or even drought animals. Much manual labour is needed in land clearance to produce food for a few people.
Cropping Seasons
India has three cropping seasons:-(1) Rabi
(2) Kharif and
(3) Zaid
(1) Rabi crops: - Shown in winter from October to December.
- Harvest in summer from April to June.
- Main crop-wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard
(2) Kharif crop:
- Grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country.
- Harnest in September-October.
- Maize jawar , bajra ,cotton, Soya been
(3) Zaid crops:
-sown between rabbi and kharif seasons. Crops: watermelon, Muskmelon, cucumber,fodder etc.
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