How does jhum cultivation work in Arunachal Pradesh?

In Arunachal Pradesh, many hill peoples practice shifting agriculture, locally known as jhum. This traditional system involves clearing land by burning existing vegetation, a process often referred to as slash-and-burn agriculture.12

The cultivation process typically follows these steps:
* Clearing: Vegetation is cut down and burned; the resulting ashes serve to enrich the soil.12
* Cultivation: The land is farmed for several years using tools such as hoes or digging sticks rather than plows. Common crops grown through this method include rice, corn (maize), millet, and buckwheat.12
* Fallowing: Once soil productivity declines or the field becomes overrun by weeds, the site is abandoned. The land is then left to revert to its natural vegetation, allowing it to regenerate while the cultivators move to a new plot.12

While settled agriculture has expanded in the region, jhum remains a significant practice for many indigenous groups who rely on subsistence farming.13