Apatani paddy-cum-fish cultivation: An indigenous hill farming system of North East India

Abstract

The tribal communities of North East India have paddy-cum-fish farming along with shifting cultivation (<i style="">Jhum</i>). Paddy-cum-fish cultivation is practiced mainly by Apatanis, a progressive agricultural community of Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatani version of paddy cultivation is one of the most advanced cultivation practices. The main advantage from the practice is that, the land gives sustained yield year after year, unlike the <i style="">Jhum</i> system, that is under cropping only once in a few years of fallow interval, depending upon the <i style="">Jhum</i> cycle. The economic and energy efficiency of this agro-ecosystem is exceptionally high and rice is exported after meeting local needs. Rain fed cultivation of millet and mixed cropping contributes toward meeting the diverse needs of the people. Mithun, Swine and poultry husbandry are an important link with agro-ecosystems. Therefore, an understanding of this agro-ecosystem function becomes significant and it offers opportunities for redevelopment with additional scientific inputs.