1. Shifting Cultivation

4. Shifting cultivation in Malaysia
Distribution in Malaysia
Found mainly in the western part of the states of Sabah and Sarawak
Influenced mainly by relief and soil as well as by government policies
Found in highland areas of rugged relief

5. Shifting cultivation in Malaysia
Soils on slopes are thin and poor
Unsuitable for long period cultivation
Cultivation on slopes can aggravate soil erosion
Few indigenous people in peninsular Malaysia because government encouraged these to stay in lowlands and practice sedentary farming.

6. Shifting cultivation in Malaysia
Adapting to the environment
Physical environment
Time their farming activities according to the climatic conditions
Eg: Ibans clear the forest at the beginning of the dry period of the year so that the felled trees can dry properly before they are burned
The hot wet climate encourages the growth of a wide variety of crops so they can harvest all year round for their food supply
Relief
Poor soils, so farmers cultivate only a short period allowing land to fallow longer
In Sarawak, some shifting cultivators grow their crops in a clearing for 1-3 years and leave the land to fallow for as long as possible, sometimes, up to 15 years or more
Using fires
Ashes of burnt vegetation add nutrients to the soil and so help to improve its fertility. It also helps to destroy whatever weeds that would compete with the crops for the soil nutrients.

7. Shifting cultivation in Malaysia
Adapting to the environment
Physical environment
Time their farming activities according to the climatic conditions
Eg: Ibans clear the forest at the beginning of the dry period of the year so that the felled trees can dry properly before they are burned
The hot wet climate encourages the growth of a wide variety of crops so they can harvest all year round for their food supply
Relief
Poor soils, so farmers cultivate only a short period allowing land to fallow longer
In Sarawak, some shifting cultivators grow their crops in a clearing for 1-3 years and leave the land to fallow for as long as possible, sometimes, up to 15 years or more
Using fires
Ashes of burnt vegetation add nutrients to the soil and so help to improve its fertility. It also helps to destroy whatever weeds that would compete with the crops for the soil nutrients.

11. What happened here?
What form of farming is this?
What evidence is there?

12. What evidence is there to show that these are shifting cultivators?