Towards the Natural Resource Management for Resilient Shifting Cultivation System in Eastern Himalayas

Abstract

Eastern Himalayan states in general and Nagaland in particular are known for their diversified cultural heritage and jhum cultivation as mainstay of livelihood. Inhabitants in this region are otherwise non-vegetarian and rice is the staple food. Traditional jhum cultivation is not subsistent to fulfil the requirement of the increasing population in the hilly states. Reduced jhum cycle (3–5 years), widespread water scarcity during the post-monsoon seasons, subsistence agriculture practice, lack of awareness about improved agriculture technologies, poor credit and marketing facilities, lack of infrastructures, pitiable socio-economic status of the people, etc. are the major issues confronted by the tribal people in the eastern Himalayan region. In this perspective, holistic approaches with modern agro-based interventions for augmenting production, productivity, income and employment generation in a sustainable manner are the need of the hour. This document depicts the agricultural scenario in several cluster villages in different districts particularly Mon, Wokha, Longleng, Peren, Kohima and Dimapur in Nagaland. The introduction and popularization of scientific intervention in agriculture and allied sector have changed the mindset of many tribal poors in adopted villages and became instrumental in the transformation of traditional jhum cultivation into a profitable agricultural enterprise. Moreover, the farmers have accepted the modern agro-techniques and high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops and livestock, cultivation practices, soil and water conservation measures and integration of livestock components in traditional agriculture. Increasing cropping intensity, productivity, gross returns from unit area and several-fold increase in employment generation were among the few several achievements following the implementation of agro-based intervention.