What is the process of clearing land for planting crops by using machetes, stripping trees, and setting fires called?

The process of clearing land for planting crops by using machetes, stripping trees, and setting fires is referred to as swidden cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture. This method involves cutting down vegetation and then burning it to create a nutrient-rich layer of ash that helps fertilize the soil for planting. Typically practiced in tropical forest regions where soil fertility can be rapidly depleted, swidden cultivation allows farmers to cultivate crops for a few years before needing to move to a new area. The practice is often associated with indigenous farming techniques and is sustainable when done in a rotational manner, allowing the forest to regenerate.

Shifting agriculture is a broader term that encompasses swidden cultivation; however, swidden specifically refers to the techniques of land clearing using fire and other methods. Intensive farming refers to agricultural practices that involve high levels of inputs and labor to maximize yields, often in established fields rather than clearing new land. Industrial agriculture focuses on large-scale farming operations that rely on technology, fertilizers, and pesticides to produce crops.