Context: The central government has taken up the issue of cultivation rights of adivasis and tribals in forest areas in Telangana, and resolved to stage protests in their support.

What is Podu?

• Podu is shifting agricultural that uses slash and burn cultivation method.

• In shifting agricultural, a portion of land is cleared to raise crops in a particular season before the cultivators move to another location the next season and to third area after that.

What is 'Podu' land issue?

• In October 2021, the Telangana government had decided to move landless, non-tribal farmers engaged in shifting cultivation inside forests to peripheral areas.

• Reason: Podu cultivation is degrading large area of Telangana Forest. This could result in deforestation.

Effect on Tribals

• Tribal farmers who have been traditionally cultivating for decades would not be affected by this drive.

• Land ownership titles have been given to tribals.

Effects on Non-Tribal Farmers

• These farmers can apply to the state government to allocate them land outside the forests.

• They will also get land ownership certificates, power and water supplies, Rythu Bandhu benefits.

• Rythu Bandhu means 'Friend of Farmer'.

• It is name of scheme by Telangana government.

• Aim: To provide a timely cash grant for initial investment needs of farmers and to ensure that farmers do not fall into the debt trap.

Suggestion by opposition

• Revenue meetings should be held across state to solve podu issue.

• Forest department should also be involved in this meeting.

Additional Information

Shifting cultivation in India

• In this type of agriculture, first of all a piece of forest land is cleared by felling trees and burning of trunks and branches.

• After the land is cleared, crops are grown for two to three years and then the land is abandoned as the fertility of the soil decreases.

• The farmers then move to new areas and the process is repeated.

• Dry paddy, maize, millets and vegetables are the crops commonly grown in this type of farming.

This practice is known by different names in different regions of India

1. Jhum in Assam,

2. Ponam in Kerala,

3. Podu in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and

4. Bewar masha penda and Bera in various parts of Madhya Pradesh.