Agronomic Aspects of Nutrient Management in Shifting Cultivation Agro-Ecosystems of North-East India

Shifting cultivation (locally called jhum) is a predominant form of farming in North-east India. In this system, slashing and burning are used to clear land in order to prepare it for shifting cultivation. After one to two years of cultivation, the land is then left fallow to allow for natural regrowth. In recent times, reduction in the fallow length has impacted the environment, including forest regeneration, resulting in continuous exploitation of natural resources and declining sustainability. Traditional shifting cultivation methods can be improved by promoting stress-tolerant rice and maize varieties, replacing slash-and-burn with the slash-and-char method, inclusion of legume crops, recycling of crop residues and in-situ residue management, nutrient management through balanced fertiliser use, harvesting of rainwater, establishing orchards, and using better fallow management techniques. Some constraints and challenges in nutrient management of jhum cultivation systems include the traditional farmers’ mindset, undulating topography and soil erosion, non-application of chemical fertilisers, residue burning, and insufficient facilities for procurement of agri-inputs. Despite that, huge numbers of tribal farmers are still involved in the system due to their cultural heritage and lack of alternative employment opportunities to sustain their livelihood needs throughout the year.