Jhum – A Subsistence Farming System

[SUBIN K S]

Jhum cultivation in northeast India is a traditional farming system which was also practised in other parts of the country many decades ago. This farming system is criticized for felling of the forest and burning which is an important part for preparing the land for farming. In the villages of Nagaland, this system provides subsistence and food security to the families who are landless or below the poverty line or generally poor. Having very less source of cash income and less connectivity to markets they are left with no options other than cultivating their own food grains and only those which are useful for them. The produce from Jhum is mostly for self-consumption, Jhum also has very high crop diversity which is ready to harvest in different seasons. Jhum cultivation is done with the interest of having sufficient food for the family and not with the intention to full fill the market demand. This complex farming system can also be seen as a risk mitigation approach in a highly spontaneous environment where there are fewer opportunities to cultivate and higher risk. Many times the terrain is not suitable for permanent cultivation and the best suitable method to cultivate is Jhum as it has a fallow period which prevents the soil from degradation and erosion which is normal in the permanent farmlands.

[Author]

Posts