Horticulture based farming system in Mizoram: an alternative to jhum cultivation.

Horticulture based farming system in Mizoram: an alternative to jhum cultivation.

Singh BK, Pathak KA, Boopathi T, Ramakrishna Y, Verma VK and Singh SB http://www.kiran.nic.in/pdf/publications/Mizoram/Horticulture_Based_Farming_System_in_Mizoram.pdf on 11.12.2013; 2013

E-mail: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

In Mizoram, Jhum cultivation (shifting or slash-and-burn cultivation) is practiced in 40089 ha area which is about 38.64 % of net sown area. The Lushai terrain of state is endowed with wide agro-climatic conditions and sufficient genetic diversity; which provide virtuous scope for horticultural based farming system to replace non-productive and destructive Jhum practices by espousing soil conservation measures, in-situ moisture conservation, vermicomposting and nutrient management, crop diversification, use of high yielding varieties, proper crop rotation and orchard management, and high-tech horticulture. Most suitable horticultural crops are mandarin, banana, passion fruit, pineapple, areca nut, ginger, turmeric, bird’s eye chilli, chow-chow, cabbage, French bean, cowpea, vegetable mustard, Chinese kale, tomato, radish, pumpkin, brinjal, African eggplant, Solanum ferox, S. tarvum, ash gourd, okra, cauliflower, rice bean, Colocasia, Anthurium, rose and orchids. The ICAR-RC-NEH Region has successfully demonstrated the various technologies at own Farm and farmers’ field having significant impact on soil-water conservation and enhancing the Farm productivity such as soil and water conservation practices (construction of contour trenches, bench terraces, half-moon terraces, drainage line treatments and water harvesting structures); adopting high yielding varieties and potential local genotypes (15-55 %); mulching with local dry grasses (15-45 %); vermicomposting, micronutrient and INM (10-30 %); leaf and branch pruning (12-25 %); and protected nursery management and cultivation (25-450 %). Horticulture based farming system in Mizoram would certainly reduce the area under Jhum cultivation, and improve Farm productivity, income and sustainability.