By H H Mohrmen
The majority population in the state of Meghalaya are farmers whose primary source of livelihood is agriculture. The farming system practiced by the different tribes in the state are composite and it comprises farming of plant origin, aquatic farming among others. Farming in Meghalaya is not in silos but by a traditional composite system.
Old farming practice
in a nutshell
Since time immemorial farmers in the state grew different crops which vary according to the region. In the southern slopes bordering Bangladesh and along the border with Assam, millet was popular in the area where jhum cultivation was popular. The areas along the borders was also a once popular orange orchard and is now an areca-nut and betel leaf plantation. In the plateau regions of Jañtia hills, wetland rice cultivation is popular and in the Khasi hills, buns and terrace cultivation is common. The different tribes of Meghalaya have their indigenous farming systems. Agricultural practices in the state vary according to the nature of the soil, geography, and climatic conditions of the area. Other factors influence farming practices in the different parts of the state. In general farmers engage in different farming practices like shifting, subsistence, plantation, terracing, and wetland cultivation.
Impact of the Green
revolution
With the introduction of the Green Revolution in the country, the farmers were initiated to a scientific farming system which has positive and adverse impacts on agriculture in the state. The Green Revolution introduced chemical fertilizers, improved seeds, and chemical pesticides for pest and disease control which had an adverse impact on the soil and the agricultural practices in the state. Chemical fertilizers were subsidized, chemical-based pest and disease control measures were introduced and even genetically modified seeds were introduced to replace indigenous seeds. Considering the population of the farmers in Meghalaya it is no surprise that they have always been targeted by almost every government in the state. Numerous schemes and missions were introduced by the government to help improve agricultural production and help enhance the income of the farmers. But despite the revolution and the different missions initiated by the government, the farmers in the state continue with the subsistence farming system.
Natural Farming
Natural farming is a new name for chemical-free farming practice that originated in Japan and it is a farming system that is sensitive to the ecology of the area. It was started by Masanobu Fukuoka, a farmer from Japan and the farming system has spread far and wide. The farming system works along with the natural biodiversity and it is sensitive to the living organisms in the area which includes plants and animals of the particular ecosystem.
Natural farming is also known as ‘the Fukuoka Method’ because the ecological farming approach originated from Japan. The approach is that farming is both a means of producing food that has its aesthetic sense and is also a spiritual approach. The ultimate goal of farming is to strive for the perfection of cultivation and human beings. It encourages farmers to closely observe the local conditions and to mimic nature.
Natural farming
in Meghalaya
To introduce the Natural Farming practices in the state, the previous state MDA government under the leadership of the NPP has signed an MOU with an organization by the name Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) from Andhra Pradesh. RySS is an organization started by the Agriculture Department of the government of Andhra Pradesh in its efforts to introduce zero budget natural farming. It was built on the department’s previous program called Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture. The decade-long program was started in 2004 and ended in 2014. The program was for both the state of AP and Telangana and was being operated through Women SHGs in the two states. The program was started with the sole objective of initiating non-chemical pest management. Later on it worked on the improvement of soil health and water conservation.
From Organic to
Natural Farming
The government has not made public the MOU signed last November between the Andhra Pradesh-based NGO and the MDA government. Considering the area in which the NGO has specialized in, perhaps the objective of signing the document is that the Organization would help Meghalaya start natural farming in the state. There is nothing wrong with the Government adopting the natural farming practice in the State, In the past too previous governments had planned to declare Meghalaya as an organic state and had even banned the selling of chemical fertilizers here. Regenerative Agriculture is also another farming practice that is gaining popularity in the world which is also nature-based farming practice.
The signing of the MOU between the government and Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) should be welcomed by one and all, but there are other issues of concern too. It is true, the future is in nature-based farming, but in the context of Meghalaya the Government should not overlook the indigenous farming system that has been practiced since olden times.
Indigenous farming
practices
The people of the state already have their farming systems which they have been practicing since time immemorial. The Indigenous farming system in the state is natural farming and it is by default organic. The indigenous farming practice involves more than tilling the soil, planting seeds, or plants, and harvesting the produce. The indigenous people here have a close connection with the land which includes the different elements like soil, water, forest, and the other elements that influence their activities. For instance, it is a tradition that the people follow where they refrain from sowing seeds or planting any crops during the full moon period. Some stories connect plants or crops with humans and even domesticated animals have stories. There are stories of how the rooster became part of the human belief system and how the dog was domesticated and how the crow influences the relationship between humans and rice.
Farming is more than plowing, growing, and harvesting, because it is also linked to the culture that includes songs, dance, and merry-making. Some of the cultural aspects of farming are ‘chunong’ in Jañtia hills, ‘ka rep bhara in the Bhoi area’ or ‘ka ïah kurui lok ’and ‘long hai’ amongst the War Jañtia people of Amlarem. Agriculture is also linked to festivals like ‘Chadsukra, Behdieñkhlam, Rongkusi, Pastieh Kopati’ etc., which people celebrate in their respective areas.
Empowering farmers by building on the Indigenous farming System
There is another nature-based farming practice called Agroecology. NESFAS through its Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) is working with the farmers and trying to address their problems relating to seeds, soil, and pests. The ALC themselves conduct experiments and try to synthesise traditional knowledge with scientific evidence. ALCs also recognise the interconnectedness from seeds to markets and also promote seed banks. It also recognises the need to be sensitive to the indigenous farming practices that are prevailing in the region. Phrang Roy, founder of NESFAS cautioned that one should be careful not to take a romantic view that all the indigenous traditions practiced by the farmers are perfect. The Indigenous farming practice also has its limitations. He insisted that the ALC’s work is to see how traditional knowledge and science complement each other.
ALC is empowering farmers by building on indigenous knowledge and promoting the system that is prevalent in the community. The ALCs are also looking at ways to scientifically validate the traditional practices of the people.
Way forward for
Meghalaya
There is no other way for Meghalaya than to embark on a nature-based farming system. It is what the world is talking about; it is the future and it is what we are good at. Agroecology also recognises the strength of the people in the tradition that they practice and builds on the existing traditional knowledge which has sustained the people for generations. It is looking at farming practices from an ecological point of view and takes into consideration the traditional knowledge systems. The ALC project initiated by NESFAS is also being supported by Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA). Hopefully, the MDA.02 government under the leadership of the new Agriculture Minister of Meghalaya will continue what was started and promote indigenous farming practices that are composite and include animal farming practices and farming of plant origins.