Shifting agriculture training in India, though limited, focuses on sustainable methods to transform traditional shifting cultivation into more ecologically and economically viable practices. Shifting agriculture, also known as "slash-and-burn" or "jhum" cultivation, is a traditional practice particularly prevalent among tribal communities in India's northeastern states (Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, etc.), as well as some parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. The practice involves clearing forest patches, cultivating crops for a few years, and then moving to a new area once the soil is depleted.
Due to the environmental impact and the need for sustainable alternatives, training in this area emphasizes both ecological preservation and improved productivity. Key aspects of shifting agriculture training include:
1. Agroforestry and Permanent Crop Systems
- Agroforestry Training: Farmers learn to integrate crops with tree species, maintaining the forest ecosystem and reducing the need to clear new patches.
- Perennial Crops: Farmers are introduced to crops like coffee, spices, or medicinal plants, which have longer growth cycles and can yield without annual soil degradation.
- Intercropping: Training in intercropping techniques allows farmers to cultivate a variety of crops on the same plot, optimizing soil nutrients and reducing soil erosion.
2. Soil Fertility and Conservation Techniques
- Terracing: Training includes techniques like terracing, which helps reduce soil erosion on slopes and conserves water, ideal for hilly regions where shifting agriculture is common.
- Composting and Mulching: Farmers learn to use organic waste to maintain soil fertility, enhancing productivity on the same plot over longer periods.
- Cover Cropping: Training on planting cover crops to protect soil, fix nitrogen, and add organic matter to the soil, making it possible to reuse land more sustainably.
3. Sustainable Crop Rotation and Fallow Management
- Extended Fallow Cycles: Farmers are trained in strategies to increase the fallow period, allowing vegetation and soil nutrients to regenerate naturally.
- Sustainable Crop Rotation: Emphasizes rotating different types of crops, which prevents pest buildup and maintains soil fertility.
4. Alternative Livelihoods
- Eco-tourism and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): Training communities to harvest non-timber forest products like honey, bamboo, and medicinal herbs for sustainable income.
- Handicrafts and Small-Scale Enterprises: Local artisanship training allows communities to diversify their income without solely relying on agriculture.
Training Organizations and Government Initiatives
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, NMSA includes programs to train farmers in sustainable and climate-resilient practices.
- Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA): Focuses on tribal areas and shifting agriculture alternatives, especially in the Northeast.
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): Provide localized training on agroforestry, soil conservation, and sustainable farming techniques suited to hilly and forested regions.
For organizations like the Farmer Development and Farming Producer Company Limited, this type of training can offer valuable alternatives for farmers practicing shifting agriculture, helping to preserve their traditional methods while promoting soil conservation, biodiversity, and economic resilience.
