Slash-and-Burn Agriculture
Slash-and-burn agriculture is a farming method used mainly in tropical regions. Farmers clear a piece of land by cutting down vegetation and then burning the debris, which enriches the soil with nutrients. After the land is cultivated for a few years, its fertility diminishes, prompting farmers to move to a new area and repeat the process. While slash-and-burn can support small-scale farming, it can lead to deforestation and environmental issues if not managed sustainably. This method has been practiced for centuries but is often criticized for its potential negative impacts on ecosystems.
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Slash and burn agriculture is a farming method used primarily in tropical regions. It involves clearing a forested area by cutting down trees and shrubs (slashing) and then burning the leftover vegetation (burning). The ash from the fire enriches the soil with nutrients, making it fertile for growing crops. Farmers typically cultivate the land for a few years until soil fertility decreases, before moving on to a new area. While effective for small-scale agriculture, this practice can lead to deforestation and environmental issues if not managed sustainably.