Control of Shifting Cultivation: The Need for an Integrative Approach and Systematic Appraisal

The paper proposes an analytical framework for assessing schemes for control of shifting cultivation. Necessary and sufficient conditions relating to per capita income, its growth rate, internal rate of return, availability of wage goods, bonus for compensating non-economic satisfaction foregone and land productivity are proposed. Several existing schemes have been examined against this broad framework. In the absence of complete data relating to these schemes, their qualitative assessment against the framework has been attempted. A forest-based scheme of commercial exploitation of bamboo plantation and processing has been proposed and found attractive at a first glance. Several general conclusions have been derived. Control of shifting cultivation will require an approach that includes a variety of programmes. Some shifting cultivation may still continue. Competencies in soil conservation, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, and processing industries are needed and a new multi-disciplinary department may be created. Above all, an approach that looks at the collectivity of people, rather than individuals, is needed for an effective use of available resources.