From Shifting Cultivation to Integrating Farming: Experience of Agroforestry Development in the Northeastern Himalayan R
Northeast India comprising of eight states is known for biodiversity richness, which is intricately linked to the socio-culture of the indigenous people. In this region, livelihood is mostly dependent on traditional farming practices such as shifting cult
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From Shifting Cultivation to Integrating Farming: Experience of Agroforestry Development in the Northeastern Himalayan Region A. K. Singh, A. Arunachalam, S. V. Ngachan, K. P. Mohapatra, and J. C. Dagar
Abstract
Northeast India comprising of eight states is known for biodiversity richness, which is intricately linked to the socio-culture of the indigenous people. In this region, livelihood is mostly dependent on traditional farming practices such as shifting cultivation, homegarden, taungya systems, etc. The crop combinations are based on the household requirements and have the basis of subsistence. Nonetheless, the cultural practices differed between different tribes in the region. As such, tree farming has been a traditional practice and agroforestry is also being practiced in different forms and formats. With the interventions of ICAR, several models of agroforestry right from horticulture-to-fish-based tree farming have been in practice. In the region, a new model of Intensive Integrated Farming System is being tested for its benefit-cost. As the hilly region receives high rainfall, the role of trees on the terrains receives much importance and as so is the influence of agroforestry practices on soil and water resources. Much research needs to be done on crop combinations with good input management for better socio-economic returns to the tribal farmers.
Introduction A. K. Singh A. Arunachalam (&) J. C. Dagar Division of Natural Resource Management, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan –II, New Delhi, 110012, India e-mail: [email protected] S. V. Ngachan K. P. Mohapatra I.C.A.R. Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya 793103, India
Seven hill states that include Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura are collectively referred to as North Eastern Hill (NEH) region, located between 21580 and 29300 N latitude and 88580 and 97300 E longitude spread over 1,83,746 km2 area (Wasteland Atlas of India 2010), bestowed with several traditional agroforestry systems
J. C. Dagar et al. (eds.), Agroforestry Systems in India: Livelihood Security & Ecosystem Services, Advances in Agroforestry 10, DOI: 10.1007/978-81-322-1662-9_3, Springer India 2014
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Large cardamom system
Apatani System
Arunachal Pradesh
Sikkim
•Bari system •Coconut/ arecanut with betelvine /black pepper
Assam
Nagaland
Meghalaya Manipur
Bun system
•Pond based farming in plains •Taungya in Hills
• Alder based farming • Zabo system
Tripura
•Tree bean based systems •Ingkhol
Mizoram • Banana based Agroforestry •Chuktuah huan
Fig. 3.1
Popular indigenous agroforestry systems in Northeast India
(Fig. 3.1). The region has unique weather and climatic conditions because of its typical geographical location, physiography, highlands in the northern part and their syntaxial bend, presence of alternating pressure cells of North West and Bay of Bengal and presence of tropical maritime air masses (Barthakur 2004). Climate of the region vari
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