Economic dynamics of changes in jhum system in North Eastern Hills Region
The comparative study of land use pattern, cropping pattern and productivity of three selected districts namely North Sikkim (Sikkim), Dhalai (Tripura), East Garo Hills (Meghalaya) and economics of Jhum vs.
Settled cultivation was analyzed and compared.
North Sikkim districts having 4.93% area under irrigation as compared to the state average of 10.57%.
This indicates that the district is mainly dependent on rain fed farming (Table 1). Area under forest in North Sikkim is about 13.24% in compared to the 13.76% of state level which is very low as compared to the other hilly states. The cardamom is the main source of income in North Sikkim. Area shared by this crop is 37.51% compared to the 16.38% of the area occupied by this crop in Sikkim State. It indicates that the farmers are mostly depended on cardamom crops and livelihood of the farmers is influenced by the success of the cardamom. Share of cereals crops in total cultivated area in North Sikkim district is estimated to be 28.76% as compared to the state average of 33.59%
(Table 2). The district is more deficit of the food requirement in comparison to the Sikkim state.
Table 1 North Sikkim Vs Sikkim State land use pattern (2006-07)
Land type Area (ha)
North % of Sikkim % of Sikkim total state total
area area
Irrigated land 886.97 4.93 12643.23 10.57 Unirrigated land 3959.84 22.00 39304.49 32.87 Non Agri. land 1903.13 10.57 9966.67 8.34 Forest/Jungle/Bushes 2383.77 13.24 16448.85 13.76 Cardamom field 6752.15 37.51 19587.91 16.38
Grass land 63.29 0.35 4144.77 3.47
Barren land 1023.01 5.68 8817.26 7.37 Uncultivated 1030.21 5.72 8661.61 7.24 fallow land
Total 18002.37 100.00 119574.79 100.00
Productivity of cereals crops including maize is around 1258.35 kg/ha against that state average of 1509.76 kg/ha. The productivity of all crops except fruit crops was found lower when compared to state average.
Table 2 Area (000 ha) of important crops in North Sikkim and Sikkim (2006-07)
Crops North Percentage Sikkim Percentage Sikkim
Cereals 4.49 28.76 68.66 33.59
Pulses 0.08 0.51 5.96 2.92
Oil seeds 0.96 6.15 8.97 4.39
Fruits 0.15 0.96 8.99 4.40
Vegetables 0.88 5.64 9.82 4.80
Potato 0.36 2.31 7.56 3.70
Spices 4.12 26.39 19.81 9.69
Total 11.04 129.77
Table 3 Yield (kg/ha) of important crops of North Sikkim and Sikkim State (2006-07)
Crops North Sikkim Sikkim
Cereals 1258.35 1509.76
Pulses 1250.00 914.44
Food grains 1258.20 1462.22
Oil Seeds 729.17 812.71
Fruits 1052.00 1489.00
Vegetables 12981.00 13911.00
Potato 3956.00 4411.00
Spices 388.00 2058.00
The productivity of all crops except fruit crops was found lower in compared to state average. The spice crop, cardamom is main source of the farmers’
livelihood. The average yield realized by the farmers is very low at 388 kg/ha as compared to the state yield of 2058 kg/ha which needs to be addressed to enhance the overall productivity of the spices in the district.
Coefficient of variations of important crops in North Sikkim and Sikkim State
Coefficient of variation is one of the important indicators to access the variation over the periods for formulating policy measure for sustainable agriculture development. Spices are the main source of livelihood of farmers in Sikkim. The coefficient of variation in the area of spices crop in the North district was estimated to be 30.62 % in compared to the state average of 25.50 during the period 2004 to 2007 (Table 4). The data indicates that the coefficient of variation in the spices crops was found highest in the spices of North Sikkim which was estimated 30.62 as against 25.5% of the state as whole. The higher fluctuation in yield was observed due to occurance of disease in cardamom crops and ginger.
A comparative study of important agricultural crops in Dhalai district of Tripura is presented in Tables 5 and 6. The result indicated that the share of rice crop in the total crop area was estimated to be 85.18% as compared to the state average, which was worked out to be 91.69% which indicates that rice is the major crop, although the area under rice cultivation is marginally less in Dhalai district.
Table 5 Comparative study of area (ha) under important crops in Dhalai district and Tripura (2007-08)
Crops Dhalai Percentage Tripura Percentage
Rice 28752 85.18 252897 91.69
Maize 533 1.58 2123 0.77
Wheat 238 0.71 1023 0.37
Pulses 915 2.71 5361 1.94
Arhar (Tur) 326 0.97 1221 0.44
Groundnut 304 0.90 679 0.25
Sesamum 509 1.51 1776 0.64
Rape seed & 313 0.93 1451 0.53 Mustard
Potato 705 2.09 5800 2.10
Mesta 329 0.97 949 0.34
Cotton 533 1.58 1109 0.40
Jute 68 0.20 458 0.17
Total 33525 99.32 274847 99.60
The pulses, potato and cotton are the major crops in Dalai District and the share of this crop under cropping system ranges 1.85% to 2.9%, which is more or less similar to the state average baring pulses area, which is marginally higher at state level. The productivity of all major crops of the district is almost similar except groundnut, sesamum having lower yield as compared to the state average. The average yield of rice in Dalai district was estimated to be 2228 kg/ha as compared to the state average of 2532 kg/ha (Table 6).
Table 6 Comparative study of productivity (kg/ha) of major crops of Dhalai and Tripura (2007-08)
Crops Dhalai Tripura
Rice 2228 2532
Maize 977 1001
Wheat 1941 1847
Pulses 604 652
Arhar (Tur) 742 722
Ground nut 928 1012
Sesamum 406 505
Rapeseed & Mustard 754 732
The productivity of all major crops of the district is almost similar except groundnut, sesamum having lower yield when compared to the state average.
Table 7 Comparative study of land use pattern in East Garo Hills and Meghalaya for the year 2006- 07 (area in ha)
Particulars East Land Meghalaya % land
Garo use use
Hills pattern pattern in
in East Meghalaya
Garo Hills (%)
Forest 124797 41.42 944108 36.81
Area under 5689 1.89 90910 3.54
non-agri uses
Barren and 4712 1.56 136029 5.30
uncultivated land
Land under 23409 7.77 159752 6.23
miscellaneous tree crops and groves etc.
Cultivable waste land 43165 14.33 435000 16.96 Fallow lands other 21190 7.03 163168 6.36 than fallows
Current fallows 4949 1.64 61358 2.39
Net area sown 31389 10.42 236755 9.23
Area sown more 5289 1.76 50419 1.97
than ones
Total crops area 36678 12.17 287194 11.20
Total 301267 100.00 2564693 100.00
Table 4 Coefficient of variation in yield of important crops of North Sikkim and Sikkim
Yield (kg/ha) 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 CV
North Sikkim Total fruits 825.00 860.00 1052.00 13.40
Total vegetables 4221.00 4233.00 4097.00 1.80
Total potato 3247.00 3293.00 3956.00 11.34
Other root & tuber crops 3363.00 3369.00 4580.00 18.59
Total spices crops 223.00 252.00 388.00 30.62
Sikkim Total fruits 1482.00 1483.00 1489.00 0.26
Total vegetables 4625.00 4633.00 4580.00 0.62
Total potato 4345.00 4350.00 4411.00 0.84
Other root & tuber crops 4362.00 4367.00 4681.00 4.09
Total spices crops 1262.00 1495.00 2058.00 25.50
The percentage irrigated area under net area sown in East Garo Hills is 22.49% as compared to 24.02%
of the state (2006-07). Net area sown in East Garo Hills is 31389 ha which occupies 10.42% of the total district area as compared to 236755 (9.23%) of the state. In East Garo Hills, cereals occupy 49.31% area when compared to the state level (48.57%).
Table 8 Comparative study of land use pattern in East Garo Hills and Meghalaya for the year 2006- 07 (area in ha)
Particulars East Garo Meghalaya
hills
Geographical area 260300.00 2242900.00 Reporting area 259300.00 3337100.00 Gross irrigated area 9817.40 72015.24 Net irrigated area 7060.10 56869.38
Net area sown 31389.00 236755.00
% irrigated sown area 22.49 24.02
The comparative study on share of crops is presented in the Table 9. In East Garo Hills and Meghalaya the result indicated that there was not much
difference in the cropping pattern and major share of the crops were occupied by cereals, fruits and vegetables. However, the spices crops had the higher (13.23 %) share as compared to 5.11% in the state of Meghalaya which indicated that the spices play a very vital role for the livelihood of farmers.
Table 9 A comparative study of important crops of Meghalaya during 2007-08 (area in ha)
Crops East % of Meghalaya % of
Garo the total the total
Hills area area
Fruits 3052 8.08 25929 10.13
Tuber 2026 5.36 26881 10.50
Plantation 1293 3.42 20741 8.10
Spices 4996 13.23 13088 5.11
Vegetables 2517 6.66 12398 4.84
Cereals 18624 49.31 124290 48.57
Other cereals 430 1.14 2627 1.03
and small millets
Fiber crops 2965 7.85 15563 6.08
Sugarcane 32 0.08 92 0.04
Tobacco 222 0.59 696 0.27
Oilseeds 1056 2.80 10050 3.93
Pulses 554 1.47 3561 1.39
Total 37767 100 255916 100.00
Fig 1 Percentage land use pattern in East Garo Hill
Fig 2 Percentage land use pattern in Meghalaya
Fig 3 Percentage of the total area of East Garo Hills
Fig 4 Percentage of the total area of Meghalaya
In this district fiber crop’s share was 7.85% against the state share 6.08%. Productivity under vegetable in the district was 8875 kg/ha and that of state was 10816 kg/ha. In the district rice productivity was 1233kg/ha as compared to state productivity 1882 kg/ha. Tobacco production in the district was 653 kg/ha and that of state was 667 kg/ha (Table 10).
Table 10 A comparative study of yield under important crops in East Garo Hills and Meghalaya during the year 2007-08
Crops Yield (kg/ha)
East Garo Meghalaya Hills
Fruits 11917 8053
Tuber 5011 7919
Plantation 1252 1682
Spices 4562 4915
Vegetable 8875 10816
Rice 1233 1882
Wheat 1104 1801
Maize 1235 1475
Other cereals and small millets 856 856
Fiber crops 711 851
Sugarcane 2719 2739
Tobacco 653 667
Oilseeds 525 673
Pulses 634 871
Economics of jhum vs settled agriculture:
Tamenglong District (Manipur)
Under low population density condition where land is abundantly available, the 12-year cycle Jhuming was found to be most profitable as compared to 5 year jhuming and other conservative systems such as bench terrace and contour bunding. But in high population density conditions where the jhum cycle is 5 years, the conservative systems such as bench terrace system become more profitable. Under high population density conditions at higher discount rate contour bunding become more economical as compared to bench terrace. This occurs mainly because of high establishment cost of the bench terrace system. More studies will be undertaken to suggest for better options for maintaining jhum land in order to conserve that natural resources and improve livelihood of the jhumias.
Marketing opportunities and scope of diversification in agricultural sector of the northeastern region
It is known that agriculture development in crop diversification goes hand in hand. If the diversification is properly implemented it can be used as a tool for increasing the farm income, generate employment alleviate poverty and conserve precious soil and water resources.
The North East Region, the agriculture production system is complex, diverse and risk prone. The main objective of the production system is to produce the crops to meet the immediate demand of foods for the livelihood. However, due to the emerging changes in the agriculture on account of the globalization and liberalization there is a need for the development of suitable policy for taking advantage of diversification of agriculture crops being the socio-economic status of the farmers and marketing and another infrastructure available in the North East region.
Agriculture and allied activities account for over a quarter of region’s GDP, and their share has been declining (Table 11). Among the states the share of GDP was lowest in Mizoram (13.9%) and highest in Nagaland (28.5%) Except in Nagaland it has declined considerably in all the states since the early 1990s.The performance of agriculture in the region had been quite impressive during the past one decade. At the regional level, the sector grew at an annual rate of 3.12%, slightly higher than the national level of 2.8%. It is well known fact that agriculture in North East is in transition stage due to the various efforts made by the Table 11 Growth of agricultural sector of North- Eastern states (Per cent)
States Share of Annual growth rate, agriculture in GDP 1993/94 to 2008/09 1993/94 2008/09 Agricultural GDP
GDP
Arunachal 43.4 25.8 1.25 5.34
Pradesh
Assam 39.4 27.9 2.48 6.29
Manipur 35.5 23.6 3.30 5.80
Meghalaya 25.3 19.5 4.08 7.35
Mizoram 29.6 13.9 0.58 6.19
Nagaland 24.4 28.5 9.21 6.43
Sikkim 34.3 17.0 2.63 7.78
Tripura 35.3 22.4 4.84 8.67
North East 36.8 25.9 3.12 6.55
Source: Estimated using data National Accounts Statistics (www.mospi.gov.in)
Government of India and State Government as well.
On the basis of secondary data and primary data it is clear that the agriculture in North East is more diversified due to the agro-climatic condition, food habit and socio-economic status.
Horticulture is the key sector for the development of North Eastern region of India. Due to various efforts made by the Central and state Government, the area under horticultural crops has been increased significantly and so marketable surplus has also increased. In Meghalaya, different varieties of crops are grown but farmers are not getting desired return from their investment due to post harvest losses at different stages of marketing of their produce. To assess the post harvest losses a study was conducted for the 5 major horticultural crops in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya. Data were collected from the 120 farmers residing in various parts of the district. Estimates of the post-harvest losses of pineapple, tomato, capsicum, orange and ginger were studied in Meghalaya and found that mishandling, spoilage and pest infestation were the major cause of post harvest losses. The loss was estimated 4.83, 15.4, 12.5, 9 and 5.6 percent of total production in case of pineapple, tomato, capsicum, orange and ginger, respectively at the farmer’s level. The loss was found to be 5.72, 11.45, 8, 10.09 and 11.02 percent in case of pineapple, tomato, capsicum, orange and ginger, respectively at the market middle man’s level (Table 12).
Fruit, vegetables and root crops are perishable, and if care is not taken in their harvesting, handling and transport, they will soon decay and become unfit for human consumption. Reduction in this wastage, particularly if it can economically be avoided, would be of great significance to growers and consumers. If
we can reduce the post harvest losses at farmers’ level, the ultimate income of the farmer will increase which will lead to the socio-economic development of this region.
The production of oilseeds decreased from 263.67 thousand tonnes in TE 2003 to 258.16 thousand tonnes in TE 2010. During this period oilseed production decreased with the annual compound growth rate of 0.44% and it is a matter of great concern. However the production of pulses is showing positive growth trend in NEH Region. In North-East production of pulses has increased at the growth rate of 1.34% per annum. Production of cereals declined from 5896.13 thousand tonnes in TE 2003 to 5828.59 thousand tonnes in TE 2010 with negative growth rate of -0.11%
per annum. Fruits and vegetables production showed an increasing trend with compound growth rate of 3.15% and 8.86%, respectively, whereas production of spices decreased at the rate of -1.28% per annum (Table 13)
Table 13 Compound growth rates (Production in
‘000 tons) of agricultural and horticultural sector in NE region
Commodity TE 2003 TE 2010 CGR
Cereals 5896.13 5828.59 -0.11%
Pulses 123.63 147.20 1.34%
Total food grains 6019.83 6049.64 0.02%
Oilseeds 263.67 258.16 -0.44%
Fruits 1968.6 3119.19 3.15%
Vegetables 5258.49 5048.66 8.86%
Spices (2007-10) 150,45 140,65 -1.28%
Source: DES, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. (Various issues)
Table 12 Extent of post harvest losses of selected commodities in Meghalaya
1. At farmers level Pineapple Tomato Capsicum Orange Ginger
Assembling 1.83 4.2 2.3 2 1
Grading 0.4 3.2 2.6 1.5 0.9
Storage 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.2 1
Transportation 0.8 2.5 2.2 3.25 0.9
Loss in Market 1.5 5 5 2.05 1.8
2. Total loss at farmers level 4.83 15.4 12.5 9 5.6
3. At market middle man
Assembling 0.6 0.95 1.1 1.75 1.5
Grading 0.62 3.2 1.3 2 0.6
Storage 1 0.5 2.02 2.75 5.02
Transportation 1.5 4.5 1.98 1.89 0.9
Loss in market due to moisture and rotting 2 2.3 1.6 1.7 3
4. Loss at market middle man 5.72 11.45 8 10.09 11.02
Total post harvest loss 10.55 26.85 20.5 19.09 16.7
The production performance of fish, meat, milk and eggs in the northeastern states are quite impressive.
Among the four sectors meat showed the highest growth trend with the annual compound growth rate of 3.21% followed by fish and eggs. Production of milk was also showing positive growth trend in NEH Region with the growth rate of 0.72% per annum (Table 14).
Table 14 Performance of livestock and fishery sector in North Eastern States
Production in ‘000 tons
Commodity TE 2002 TE 2009 CGR
Fish 221.47 260.3767 1.02%
Meat 107.14 165.29 3.21%
Milk (2007-10) 1173.00 1183.333 0.72%
Egg (in lakh nos) 8775.667 9830.333 1.01%
Source: Basic Statistics of North Eastern Region
Strengthening statistical computing for NARS The salient achievements under the project during reporting period are-
a. An AC lab of 10 computers (installed SAS) along with projector and UPS backup of 2.30 hrs with internet facility.
b. Available a general purpose Statistical Software Package SAS (Standalone as well as internet based) consisting of all modules for perpetual use by different NARS Organizations (ICAR Institutes/
NRCs/ PDs/ SAUs/CAUs/Agricultural Colleges with Post Graduate Education, etc.). Anybody in NARS can install the software in their official machines free of cost. The software is also distributed to all the nodal centres of this centre and users also can get the software from the nodal centres and can be used for all the time to come.
c. Available books and manuals to use different modules of SAS (each copy of these books and manuals are also distributed to the Nodal Centres, Regional Centres and other NARS Organizations in NE Region)
d. We have six Nodal Centres namely: NRC Pig, Guwahati; NRC Mithun, Nagaland; NRC Yak, Arunachal Pradesh; AAU, Guwahati; NRC Orchid, Arunachal Pradesh and CAU Imphal for the establishment of close linkages with scientific and technical personnel of research organizations of the concerned region for proper assessment of their training and other technical support requirements.
e. Five training programmes have been organized under this project.
Developing, commissioning, operating and managing an online system for NET/ARS prelim examination for ASRB
The salient achievements are-
y Renovation of Agricultural Extension Block “D”
of the Institute Building with Wall partition for UPS
& server Room, Examination Hall with Dias.
y Location of the hall: D block, ground floor, Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umroi road, Umiam, Meghalaya -793103.
y Dimension of the hall: Length = 84 ft, Breadth = 20 ft, Height = 9 ft.
y Dimension of server room (located inside the hall):
Length = 12 ft., Breadth = 5 ft., Height = 9 ft y Dimension of UPS room (located inside the hall):
Length = 8 ft., Breadth = 5 ft., Height = 9 ft y Two entrances on the right side of the corridor while
coming from the main entrance.
y 100 connected computer tables partitioned individually beneath the table with keyboard drawers and CPU shelf in five rows along the length of the hall. Size of each table is 2.6X1.8 sq. ft. with height 2.6 ft.
y 103 revolving chairs for each table (including for the tables in server room and dais)
y Five Air Conditioners: three in the hall and one each in server room and UPS room.
y Two iron racks of size 6.6X3.6X1.6 cu. ft. including 7 decks each for putting batteries in the UPS room y Electric and network cabling for each node.
y Dais of size 10X6.6 sq. ft. with height 1.6 ft. It has a table of 9X2.6 sq. ft. with height of 2.6 ft.
y One white board of size 8X3.6 sq.ft. behind the dais.
y Two notice boards of size 7X3.6 sq. ft. on the wall along the corridor of the hall.
y Wall and ceiling are panelled with pine wood and ply wood with painting and varnishing.
y 50 light points with CFL bulb of 20 watt each put underneath the ceiling.
y PVC flooring inside the hall
y Windows are curtained with blending blind.
y Two godrej almirah of size 4X2.6X1.6 cu. ft. placed on the side of dais.
y Glazed ceramic floor tiles on the corridor outside the hall.