Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
An insight into crop diversity, productivity and economics of shifting cultivation in Eastern India
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Bhol Nirakar, Choudhury Swati, Parida Subhasmita, Sahoo Uttam Kumar
Research Articles | Published: 02 March, 2026
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Keywords: Shifting cultivation, Crop diversity, Indigenous knowledge, Food sovereignity, Economic challenges, Sustainable development
Abstract
Shifting cultivation (popularly known as ‘podu’ in Eastern India) is widely practiced by indigenous hill tribes in tropical and subtropical areas of world. An inventory into crop diversification, productivity potential and economics of shifting cultivation was studied in Niyamgiri hill slope of Kalahandi and Rayagada district of Odisha located in eastern India during 2022–2023 under different land holding sizes from 0.2 ha to more than 0.8 ha. The results found that traditional methods are still in use for land allotment with cultivators receiving verbal ownership of the land. allotted by the village headmen based on family size and available workforce. This practice historically supported indigenous food security, cultural identity, and livelihood resilience for tribal communities. Traditional podu fields host a diverse suite of crops rather than monocultures, including rain-fed rice, millets, legumes, root/tuber crops, vegetables, spices, and sometimes horticultural species. This diversity reflects both dietary needs and adaptation to varied micro-ecosystems in forest and hill slopes, also complemented by wild edible plants from fallow and secondary forests. The results have also shown that podu system boosts soil fertility through addition of ash but soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen and other key nutrients decline rapidly after crop harvest. The overall yield of major crops recorded was 775 kg/ha in Kalahandi district while 765 kg/ha in Rayagada district. Arhar yield was maximum (979 kg/ha in Rayagada and 758 kg/ha in Kalahandi) followed by finger millet (834 kg/ha in Rayagada and 817 kg/ha in Kalahandi). The productivity of small size holdings was comparatively more than big holdings because of better care. Net income was maximum by growing arhar (Rs 39272/ha in Rayagada, Rs 38558/ha in Kalahandi) followed by finger millet (Rs 17527/ha in Kalahandi, Rs 17082/ha in Rayagada). The results recommend introduction of indigenous innovations and modifications at different stages and aspects of jhum cultivation to achieve greater sustainability. In summary, pody system remains vital for livelihoods, but its sustainability can be strengthened through suitable indigenous innovations and improved management practices.
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Author Information
College of Forestry, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, India