What is the meaning of 'keeping the land fallow' in agriculture?

Keeping the land fallow means temporarily not using a piece of agricultural land for crop cultivation. This is done to improve the fertility of the soil by allowing it to rest and replenish the nutrients that were depleted by the previous crop.

During the fallow period, no cultivation is done between two crops, and the land is typically left untouched for one or more growing seasons. The farmer may occasionally plough the land to control weeds or incorporate organic matter, but no crops are planted.

Fallowing helps to restore soil fertility by allowing it to accumulate nutrients and organic matter, which can be beneficial for the next crop. In addition, fallowing can help control pests and diseases that may have built up in the soil, reduce soil erosion, and conserve soil moisture.