What is the slash and burn technique?

Question

Olivia Akins · Accepted Answer

Slash and burn is a technique where vegetation is cut and then burned to clear an area for agricultural use.

Slash and burn (also called swidden agriculture) is a technique where vegetation is cut and then burned to clear an area for agricultural use. This is a technique that has been used for a very long time across different habitats. It is typically used in subsistence farming rather than large scale commercial farming.

Example of slash and burn:

Slash and burn is a type of shifting cultivation, where the land is famed for a short period of time and then left alone for a longer period of time.

Slash and burn can be sustainable when used correctly. The land is given time to recover and regenerate after it is used. Burning the vegetation and leaving it in place restores nutrients to the soil, rather than degrading the soil.

See this article about northern Thailand on the benefits of this type of agriculture.

Cora Andrews · Answer

undefined The slash-and-burn technique, also known as swidden agriculture, is a traditional method of farming in which vegetation is cut down and burned before seeds are planted. This practice is typically used in tropical regions with nutrient-poor soils. The burned vegetation provides nutrients for the soil, and the cleared land is used for cultivation. After several years, the land is left fallow to regenerate while farmers move on to clear new areas for cultivation.