Case Study: Subsistence Agriculture in Brazil

Question 1

What type of farming?

Answer 1

Shifting cultivation

Question 2

Shifting cultivation

Answer 2

In Amazon Basin:

• Forest clearance using axes and bushknives. Leave largest trees (prevent flood).
• Branches are left on ground to dry and the burn it => nutrients are released by ash
• Rice, maize and cassava are planted. They grow very quickly and are ready to harvest after 4-6 months.
• After 2-3 years, soil fertility declines => yield declines => clearing is abandoned => farmers move on