Shifting Cultivation and Agricultural Practices

The video explores a resilient agricultural practice known as shifting cultivation, used by indigenous tribes in India. This method involves mixed cropping on hill slopes, which adapts to varying rainfall conditions and reduces pest issues. The practice, once banned, is now seen as a sustainable solution to climate change challenges. It requires less labor, has no cultivation costs, and provides food security. The video advocates for protective legislation and research to revive and scale this practice, highlighting the importance of indigenous knowledge in addressing modern environmental crises.

What are some of the challenges faced by agriculture due to climate change?

• Consistent rainfall

• Predictable seasons

• Stable temperatures

• Droughts and floods

What makes mix shifting cultivation resilient to erratic rainfall?

• Use of chemical fertilizers

• Diverse crop mixture

• Single crop cultivation

• Heavy machinery

How does the practice of shifting cultivation help in pest control?

• By using pesticides

• Through mixed cropping

• By planting only one type of crop

• By using genetically modified seeds

What is a key feature of the land used in shifting cultivation?

• Urban land

• Desert areas

• Hill slopes

• Flat plains

How often do families shift their plots in shifting cultivation?

• Every five years

• Every two years

• Every year

• Every three years

What was a major reason for the decline of shifting cultivation?

• Lack of interest

• Ban by the British

• High costs

• Poor yields

What is one misconception about shifting cultivation?

• It involves large-scale deforestation

• It is labor-intensive

• It is expensive

• It requires modern technology

What is suggested to protect and promote indigenous agricultural practices?

• Ignoring them

• Protective legislation

• Banning them

• Replacing them with modern methods

What is a potential benefit of studying indigenous practices?

• Loss of traditional knowledge

• Decreased biodiversity

• Increased dependency on chemical inputs

• Solutions to modern agricultural challenges

What is the role of indigenous wisdom in modern agriculture?

• It is outdated

• It offers potential solutions

• It is irrelevant

• It complicates farming