BUSH FALLOWING? - Skyline E-Learning

bush fallowing, Bush fallowing is a process of allowing a piece of land to vacant or rest, that is without farming
activities on the same piece of land for some period of years say 3-4 years or there in other to allow the land to regain its lost nutrients.

Bush fallowing is a traditional farming practice that has been used for centuries in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It involves cutting down trees and shrubs in a piece of land and leaving them to dry and decompose over a period of time, usually between one and five years. This technique is used to restore soil fertility and control weeds, pests, and diseases, without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The process of bush fallowing starts with the selection of a piece of land that has been previously cultivated and has lost its fertility due to continuous cropping. The farmer then clears the land by cutting down the trees and shrubs using hand tools, such as machetes and axes. The cleared vegetation is left on the ground to dry and decompose, providing organic matter and nutrients to the soil.

After a period of one to five years, the farmer can start cultivating the land again. The decomposed vegetation and organic matter have enriched the soil, making it more fertile and able to support crop growth. The farmer can also plant crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, as the break in cultivation has reduced the population of these pests and diseases.

Bush fallowing has several advantages over conventional farming methods. Firstly, it is a low-cost and sustainable method of restoring soil fertility and controlling pests and diseases. Secondly, it reduces the dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Finally, it promotes biodiversity, as the cleared land provides a habitat for wildlife and allows for the regeneration of natural vegetation.

However, bush fallowing also has some limitations. The long period of fallowing can lead to a loss of income for farmers, as they are unable to cultivate the land and generate income from crops during this period. Additionally, it may not be suitable for areas with high population densities, as there may be limited land available for the fallowing.

In conclusion, bush fallowing is a traditional farming practice that has several advantages for restoring soil fertility and controlling pests and diseases. It is a sustainable method of agriculture that can be used in conjunction with modern farming practices to promote sustainable agriculture and food security. However, it is important to consider the limitations of bush fallowing and to develop alternative farming practices that are suitable for different regions and circumstances.

meaning of bush fallowing

THIS PERIOD OF REST IS CALLED THE FALLOW PERIOD.
Bush fallowing can also be known as shifting cultivation which processes is a natural way of enriching the soil that is naturally lacking in soil nutrients a place where Bush fallowing is carried out is the land that is allowed to rest for a period of time known as a Fallow. Will get nutrients naturally instead of the addition of fertilizer and organic

Importance of bush fallowing

THE PROCESS OF ALLOWING THE LAND TO REST IS CALLED FALLOWING.
A fallowed land will have good vegetation and the leaves will fall and decompose to improve soil nutrients.
Nutrients in the fallowed land are recycled. When a farmer leaves land to follow, he will go to another piece of Land to farm.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT BUSH FALLOWING IS ESSENTIALLY AND PRACTICALLY POSSIBLE WHERE THERE IS PLENTY OF LANDS

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And this is possible in communities with large hectares of uncultivated Lands so in a situation where Land is scarce or not readily available bush fallowing is not encouraged.

similarities between bush fallowing and shifting cultivation

SHIFTING CULTIVATION IS ANOTHER NAME FOR BUSH FALLOWING

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Effects of bush fallowing on agricultural production

Bush fallowing is a system of subsistence agriculture in which land is cultivated for a period of time and then left uncultivated for several years so that its fertility soil can be restored.

MEANING OF FALLOW LAND

Fallow land is land that is left uncultivated between planting seasons in order to allow the soil to regenerate and regain its minerals lost. In general terms, fallow means a field where nothing is growing or land left not to be cultivated presumptuously

Characteristics OF BUSH FALLOWING

It is mainly practised by peasant farmers or poor farmers.
It involves the use of crude implements like cutlasses and hoes
The family is the main source of labour input for the farm

It is common in rural areas with abundant farmlands
Productivity per unit of land or per unit of labor is low
Food crops like yam, maize, cassava etc. are grown

Farmlands are left to fallow after one planting season
It uses slash or burn method for land preparation

It is mainly for family consumption or subsistence farming

It is practised where the population is very low
Pests and diseases are not controlled
The gathering method of clearing the land is practised.

ADVANTAGES OF BUSH FALLOWING

• The main advantage of Bush Fallowing is the fact that It is low cost since the equipment used is simple, but this assertion was what I found during one of my research online. So here is a major list the advantages of the use of the fallow system of land cultivation

• It ensures continuous sustenance during periods of crop failure although not in all cases
• It can be used to check soil erosion, leaching and weed growth which in my opinion is a fact
• It is very easy to practice as low technology as required- this sometimes is not true as it requires the farmer to start all over again on a new piece of land
• It aids the natural restoration of soil nutrients during the fallow period
• It helps to control plants and diseases and pests

DISADVANTAGES OF BUSH FALLOWING

• There is no provision for expansion In Bush Fallowing, as it does not lead to mechanization
• It leads to the wastage of land
• It leads to the destruction of valuable forest resources like timber
• It leads to land fragmentation due to an increasing population
• There is no intensive use of fertilizers and manures

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