Problems and prospects of agricultural diversification in shifting cultivation area of north east India: An empirical study

Abstract

Tribal people have distinct problems and prospects on agricultural diversification based on demographic, socio-economic and geographical conditions. Diversification activities make greater contribution to generate cash incomes for poorer households and it is a key strategy by which people try to make ends meet and improve their well-being. The present paper intends to analyze the problems and prospects in diversification of agriculture in north east India. In case of agricultural diversification choice, vegetable cultivation (MS, 4.23), fruits orchard (MS, 4.19) and spice production (MS, 4.18) were identified by the respondents as top three strategies for livelihood diversification in shifting cultivation area and ranked I, II and III respectively. Among several impediments, the infrastructural constraints (GMS, 2.36) emerged as the most important constraint that hinders the different options of crop diversification. The paper discusses several issues that require attention on priority basis for accelerating the pace of agricultural diversification among Jhumias.