The Shifting Cultivation Juggernaut: An Attribution Problem

Abstract

Shifting cultivation entails clearing a delimited land and transforming it into arable land. Owing to its complexity, this system has been a subject of debate and intervention since the colonial‐era, and is often considered as the “tropical deforestation culprit.” Shifting cultivators are often labeled as “forest eaters” and are considered backward and primitive. Opponents of shifting cultivation often attribute the loss of forest cover to shifting cultivation, and favor intensification, claiming that commercial plantations are more productive. However, attempts to replace it have often failed due to inadequate understanding of the system and the decision‐making processes involved. On the other hand, a growing body of literature provides evidence that shifting cultivation is an ecologically and economically efficient practice. After a careful review of the literature, the authors conclude that the dichotomy of opinions is the consequence of the attribution problem. The authors also argue that the management of forest ecosystems will be challenging if policy and practice are not based on careful understanding of the power of this age‐old practice. Hence, there is a need for a careful diagnosis of this system and a rethink before claiming that the system is unsustainable and attempting to replace it with practices such as plantations.

Indigenous Peoples’ Psychological Wellbeing Amid Transitions in Shifting Cultivation Landscape: Evidence from the Indian Himalayas

“…Thus, the concept of well-being includes not only positive feelings of happiness and satisfaction, but also feelings such as interest, commitment, trust and love [76]. Indeed, shifting cultivation is a way of life for the cultivators rather than just a farming technique [36]. Furthermore, cultivated and wild biodiversity in the SCL contributed to many traditional ethnic, culinary, and ethno-medicinal preparations; for example, jhum rice is the main substrate for many traditionally prepared alcoholic beverages.…”

“…More than 200 million people in Asia depend on this forest-based agriculture [34,35]. Because, practice involves periodic clearing of new forest patches for cultivation, shifting cultivators are also labeled as "forest eaters" although, such attribution of forest loss to shifting cultivators has been based on inadequate evidence [36], that has become a basis for the state to regulate or transform the shifting cultivation (SC) into other land uses.…”

Swidden Agriculture Landscape Mapping Using MODIS Vegetation Index Time Series and Its Spatio-Temporal Dynamics in Northern Laos

“…Swidden agriculture is continuously practiced in the tropics [13], despite intervention from all sides via policy-making, alternative development, and the introduction of other land use techniques [57,58]. Under the context of climate change, swidden agriculture is no longer merely a traditional food production system for remote uplanders or a unique cultural identity of local ethnic groups.…”

Study on Shifting Cultivation Cycle (Jhum Cycle) in Mokokchung District of Northeast India Using Multi Temporal Satellite Data

“…It is the most common type of agriculture in North East India [1], which is locally known as jhum farming and the cultivators are known as jhummias [2]. Shifting agriculture is widely practiced in the tropical uplands, encompassing around 280 million hectares of land and likely supporting 200-300 million people [3]. Over 4,40,000 rural families in Northeast India rely on jhum agriculture for a portion or all of their income.…”