Agriculture & Spice Plantations

Farming Practices:

• Jhum (Shifting Cultivation): This traditional "slash-and-burn" method remains prevalent, especially in hilly and remote areas.4 It involves clearing a patch of forest, burning the cleared vegetation, and cultivating crops for a few seasons before moving to a new plot, allowing the old one to regenerate.5 While deeply ingrained in tribal culture, its environmental impact (deforestation, soil erosion) is a major concern.6 Mixed cropping is common in jhum fields, with 20-40 or more crops grown on the same plot.