This paper uses a sociological frame to study the problems of sedentary agriculture in the Papum Pare district in the hamlet of Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh. Transition from ‘jhum’ (shifting cultivation) to settled agriculture has had several socio-economic and environmental consequences such as decline in soil fertility, conflict over land ownership, declining crop productivity, and loss of culture. Through the use of mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods, in particular in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and ethnographic observations, the project seeks to explore both the lived experiences of individual farmers as well as the wider community. It also covers sustainable alternatives including agroecological farming, integrated farming systems, locally driven initiative that match with the local socio-cultural context. The results highlight that sustainable agriculture for the area is not only a matter of ecological innovations but also the reinforcement of social organizations, the retention of indigenous know-how and the promotion of inclusive policy settings. The research recommends an integrated, community-led solution which takes account of the environment as well as local cultural traditions.
Koray Başar (Thu,) studied this question.