With reference to agriculture in India, the term 'penda' is the name given to ________________.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. slash and burn agriculture.
In Indian agriculture, the term 'penda' refers to a traditional form of slash-and-burn agriculture, mainly practiced by tribal communities in northeastern states like Nagaland and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. It involves clearing a patch of forest by cutting and burning trees and vegetation to prepare the land for cultivation. The ash enriches the soil temporarily, allowing crops like millet, maize, and pulses to grow. After a few years, when the soil loses fertility, farmers abandon the plot and move to a new area, allowing the old land to regenerate naturally. Penda is a form of shifting cultivation, deeply linked to indigenous practices and livelihoods.