Agriculture in the north-east
Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of the north east India. Thus, it is imperative to
look at the farms, sector as a key booster which lays the roadmap on removal of various natural
and even man-made impediments like the cycle of violence from which far-flung region suffers.
Agriculture, in fact, has been playing a crucial role for the overall development of the 8 states of
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura in
almost all the fields of economic activity to stimulate accelerated uplift of living conditions.
Diversity in agriculture practices (salient features)
It will wrong to visualize a uniform pattern of farming in the region. Each community is
skilled to utilize local people's farming potentials and the natural resources as a cost effective
manner using the locally available resources to overcome the demerits of water shortage vis-avis
irrigation.
I. Water harvesting: While each tribal and ethnic community has their unique traditional
methodologies of water preservation and farming, in a general sense, the region is also
known as the home of several traditional water harvesting systems. Some of these prevalent
styles include, 'Dongs' in Assam, 'Bamboo drip irrigation' system in Meghalaya, 'Wet
rice and fish cultivation' system of Ziro valley of Arunachal, Chakhesang Naga tribes using
'Zabo' system in Phek district of Nagaland and 'Roof top rain water harvesting' system
in Mizoram. The success story of Organic Farming in Sikkim is a story by itself and on
merits.
II. Shifting cultivation: There is another well known and vital- salient feature about farming
in north-east India. It is commonly known as Jhum Cultivation or Shifting Cultivation.
Many cultivators use, slash-and-burn method as one element of their farming cycle.
III. Climate: From ecological point of view' again, the entire north-east region falls within the
sub-tropical belt of warm summer monsoon climate and it is found that the local water
harvest system not only secures increased crop production, but also stops soil erosion and
improve the soil fertility.
Challenges in Agriculture sector
However, despite immense potentials and innovations involved in water harvesting, the
agro-economy has not seen the northbound graph as visualized in many quarters.
I. Capital starvation: For historical and partly geographical reasons, the agriculture sector
remains capital starved in the north east. In a broad sense, north eastern states needs
adequate attention to ensure setting up of cold storage facilities, marketing scopes and to
stimulate new employment opportunities.
II. Stagnancy: the agricultural sector has remained stagnant in the region in terms of yielding
results and stimulating the economy. Over 75 per cent of people in these states live in
rural areas or are dependent on agriculture as livelihood. But the percentage of net cultivated
area of the total reporting (under farm sector) area is less than 20 per cent as against
45 per cent of the total area in the rest of India.
III. Dependency on other states: The north east region is lagging far behind other parts of the
country in yields (quantity wise) and production of various farm commodities. Therefore
the region has to depend on other areas of the country for food grain requirements and to
make up the shortage of other farm commodities including fruits.
People as a Resource:
People in north eastern states are basically village based masses. Therefore, it is not without
good reason that farming has always struck an emotional attachment with the locals. Even
those cherishing white collared jobs in service, industry and government sectors have generally
shown inclination towards farming. This affinity has helped to create durable assets vis-a-vis
farming requirements with assured generation of employment.
This includes among others -
a) Removal of unemployment and particularly, under employment;
b) Ensure enough economic support to meet basic needs like drinking water, rural roads,
elementary education, health care and housing for landless, boosting nutrition for the crops;
c) Moving towards a significant reduction in disparities of income and wealth; .
d) Achieve higher growth rate and ensuring continued progress.
Conclusion
In the ultimate analysis, the age old understanding about life as underlined in the Assamese
literature is that the future and prosperity of any place and people is rooted in its soil. Agriculture
truly gives that opportunity to tap the potential.
People in north east also believe that it was creativity at its best when Earth was addressed
as the Mother and. the earth surface was compared to the lap of motherhood. People in these
states are masters of farming and know how to take care of mother and seek all her blessings.
They also know to evolve a harvesting system which is acceptable to all and sustainable to the
environment.
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