ICAR Achieves 75% Reduction in Jhum Cultivation in Northeast India
Significant Progress in Sustainable Agriculture
The project aims to enhance sustainable farming and improve rural livelihoods (Photo:Pixabay)
SHILLONG, April 27: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for the North Eastern Region has successfully decreased jhum cultivation by 75% across the northeastern states.
On Sunday, Sandeep Ghatak, the ICAR Director for the region, shared that this achievement is the result of persistent efforts spanning five decades.
He emphasized the institute's dedication to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing farmers' livelihoods through scientific innovations and collaborative initiatives.
Despite facing initial hurdles such as shifting cultivation, land degradation, acidic soils, and post-harvest losses, ICAR has made remarkable progress, including the substantial reduction in jhum cultivation.
Jhum, or shifting cultivation, is a traditional agricultural method practiced by various indigenous communities in the Northeast. It involves clearing land for mixed crop cultivation for 1-2 years, followed by a fallow period to allow soil and forest regeneration.
Historically, the fallow period lasted around 10-12 years due to lower population density. However, increasing population and crop demand have shortened this period, resulting in soil degradation, erosion, and diminished crop yields.
To combat these issues, ICAR is promoting integrated farming systems as an alternative to jhum cultivation. This approach is being implemented in states like Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
Farmers are encouraged to combine crop farming with fishery, piggery, horticulture, agroforestry, and goat rearing. This integration helps maintain soil fertility through animal manure and boosts farmers' income from diverse sources such as crops, fruits, dairy, and meat.
Ghatak noted that ICAR has developed over 50 integrated farming system models tailored for the region. Many farmers are already adopting these methods and experiencing positive outcomes.
Additionally, ICAR is advancing natural resource management techniques and creating farmer-friendly tools and digital applications, along with various sustainable farming practices, primarily through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras.