Agriculture in Meghalaya

agriculture in Meghalaya

Meghalaya is basically an agricultural state with about 80% of its Population depending entirely on agriculture for their livelihood. Nearly 10% of the geographical area of Meghalaya is under cultivation. Agriculture in the state is characterised by limited use of modern techniques, low yields and low productivity. As a result, despite the vast majority of the population being engaged in agriculture, the contribution of agricultural production to the state’s GDP is low, and most of the population engaged in agriculture remain poor. A portion of the cultivated area is under the traditional shifting agriculture known locally as Jhum cultivation.

Meghalaya produced 230,000 tonnes of food grains in 2001. Rice is the dominant food grain crop accounting for over 80% of the food grain production in the state. Other important food grain crops are maize, wheat and a few other Cereals and pulses. Besides these, potato, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, areca nut, tezpatta, betelvine, short-staple Cotton, jute, mesta, mustard and rapeseed etc. are some of the important Cash Crops. Besides the major Food Crops of rice and maize, the state is renowned for its horticultural crops like orange, lemon, pineapple, guava, litchi, banana, jack fruits and fruits such as plum, pear and peach.

Oilseeds such as rapeseed, mustard, linseed, soybean, castor and sesame are grown on nearly 100 km2 (39 sq mi). Rape and mustard are the most important oilseeds accounting for well over two-thirds of the oilseed production of nearly 6.5 thousand tonnes. Fibre Crops such as cotton, jute and mesta are among the only cash crops in Meghalaya, grown in Garo Hills.These have been losing popularity in recent years as indicated by their declining yield and area under cultivation.

Climatic conditions in Meghalaya permit a large variety of Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture crops including fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, mushrooms and medicinal Plants.These are considered to be higher value crops, but home Food Security concerns have prevented farmers at large from embracing them. The important fruits grown include citrus fruits, pineapples, papayas, and bananas. In addition to this, a large variety of vegetables are grown in the state, including cauliflower, cabbages and radishes.

Shifting cultivation

Shifting cultivation or slash and burn agriculture is the most prevalent form of agricultural practice of the ethnic people and is commonly called Jhum or Swidden cultivation, which is one of the most ancient systems of farming believed to have originated in the Neolithic period around 7000 B C. This system is a primitive cultivation technique and is transition between food gathering and hunting to food production. The system of farming is still in vogue in Meghalaya as well as whole northeast Himalayan region. About 350,000 people practice shifting cultivation on about 4,160 km² of unsurveyed land. Shifting cultivation is a very wide term covering a number of very different forms of land use, its essential feature beings that the land is cleared and agricultural crops are grown for a limited period, which may range from one to over ten years, after which the cultivation is moved to a new site. The cultivators may or may not intend to return to the old site after the fertility of the Soil has recovered.

The practice of shifting cultivation is short and has a variable fallow period. In general, hill people who live in tropical region practice shifting cultivation. After a piece of land is selected, trees or bushes are cut down partially or fully, left to dry and then burnt in situ. In the cleared land, seeds of crops are dibbled into holes or broadcast, without using ploughs or animal power. When the crop yield begins to decrease after some years, the cultivator moves to a new patch of forest to repeat the process, and allows the abandoned land to recuperate. After a period varying from 2-20 yrs, they return to the same land for cultivation. At present the duration of the fallow cycle has been reduced to 3 – 5 yrs in most of the northeastern states of India, this may be due to overwhelming pressure on land.

Shifting cultivation is the most primitive form of cultivation of agricultural crops. This practice has continued for thousands of years and stood the test of time. This practice has an in-built mechanism of sustenance and conservation. However, due to anthropogenic pressure on land use for shifting cultivation adversely affecting eco-restoration and ecological process of forests. This leads to degradation of land causing soil erosion and finally converting forests into wastelands. Shifting cultivation is mostly practiced in community forests of Meghalaya. In the state, the village council commonly called Dorbar Shnong owns the land, and allots the forestland for cultivation. The main interest of the cultivators is to produce almost everything that they need to fulfill their requirement.

Terrace or Bun cultivation

Bun cultivation on hill slopes and valleys is a settled cultivation system being practiced for last three decades, to provide improved production system, to conserve soil moisture and also to prevent land degradation and soil erosion. In this system, bench terraces are constructed on hill slopes running across the slopes. The space between two buns is leveled using cut and hill method. The vertical interval between the terraces is not usually more than one metre. Such measures help to prevent soil erosion and retaining maximum rainwater within the slopes and safely disposing off the excess runoff from the slopes to the foothills.

Agriculture in Meghalaya is a major contributor to the state’s economy. The main crops grown in Meghalaya are rice, maize, millet, ginger, turmeric, and vegetables. The state also has a significant Livestock population, including cattle, pigs, goats, and Poultry.

The main challenges facing agriculture in Meghalaya are soil erosion, deforestation, and Climate change. Soil erosion is a major problem in Meghalaya due to the state’s steep slopes and heavy rainfall. Deforestation is also a major problem, as it leads to soil erosion and loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity. Climate Change is also a major challenge, as it leads to changes in rainfall patterns and temperature, which can affect crop yields.

The government of Meghalaya is taking steps to address these challenges. The government has implemented a number of programs to promote Sustainable Agriculture, including soil conservation, afforestation, and climate change adaptation. The government is also working to improve the Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE for agriculture, such as roads, bridges, and Irrigation systems.

Agriculture is a vital part of the economy of Meghalaya. The government of Meghalaya is taking steps to address the challenges facing agriculture in the state. These efforts are essential to ensure the continued Growth of the agricultural sector in Meghalaya.

Crops

The main crops grown in Meghalaya are rice, maize, millet, ginger, turmeric, and vegetables. Rice is the most important crop in Meghalaya, accounting for about 60% of the state’s agricultural land. Maize is the second most important crop, followed by millet, ginger, turmeric, and vegetables.

Rice is grown in both upland and lowland areas. Upland rice is grown on steep slopes, while lowland rice is grown in valleys and floodplains. Maize is grown in both upland and lowland areas, but it is more common in upland areas. Millet is grown in upland areas, and ginger and turmeric are grown in both upland and lowland areas. Vegetables are grown in both upland and lowland areas, but they are more common in lowland areas.

Livestock

The state also has a significant livestock population, including cattle, pigs, goats, and poultry. Cattle are the most important livestock in Meghalaya, followed by pigs, goats, and poultry.

Cattle are used for both milk and meat production. Pigs are used for meat production. Goats are used for meat and milk production. Poultry are used for egg and meat production.

Challenges

The main challenges facing agriculture in Meghalaya are soil erosion, deforestation, and climate change. Soil erosion is a major problem in Meghalaya due to the state’s steep slopes and heavy rainfall. Deforestation is also a major problem, as it leads to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. Climate change is also a major challenge, as it leads to changes in rainfall patterns and temperature, which can affect crop yields.

Soil erosion is a major problem in Meghalaya because the state has steep slopes and heavy rainfall. The heavy rainfall causes the soil to erode, which can lead to a loss of topsoil and a decrease in crop yields. Deforestation is also a major problem in Meghalaya, as it leads to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. When trees are cut down, the soil is exposed to the Elements and can be easily eroded. This can lead to a loss of topsoil and a decrease in crop yields. Climate change is also a major challenge for agriculture in Meghalaya, as it leads to changes in rainfall patterns and temperature. These changes can affect crop yields and make it difficult for farmers to grow crops.

Government initiatives

The government of Meghalaya is taking steps to address these challenges. The government has implemented a number of programs to promote sustainable agriculture, including soil conservation, afforestation, and climate change adaptation. The government is also working to improve the infrastructure for agriculture, such as roads, bridges, and irrigation systems.

The government of Meghalaya is implementing a number of programs to promote sustainable agriculture. These programs include soil conservation, afforestation, and climate change adaptation. Soil conservation programs are designed to prevent soil erosion and improve Soil fertility. Afforestation programs are designed to plant trees and restore forests. Climate change adaptation programs are designed to help farmers adapt to the effects of climate change.

The government of Meghalaya is also working to improve the infrastructure for agriculture. These improvements include building roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. Roads and bridges make it easier for farmers to transport their crops to market. Irrigation systems help farmers to grow crops during the dry season.

Importance

Agriculture

What is agriculture?

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. After gathering wild grains beginning at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers began to plant them around 11,500 years ago. Pigs, sheep and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world.

What are the different types of agriculture?

There are many different types of agriculture, but some of the most common include:

Subsistence agriculture: This type of agriculture is used to meet the basic needs of the farmer and their family. It is often practiced in developing countries where there is little access to markets or other sources of food.
Commercial agriculture: This type of agriculture is used to produce crops or livestock for sale. It is often practiced in developed countries where there is a large market for agricultural products.
Industrial agriculture: This type of agriculture is characterized by the use of large-scale machinery and technology. It is often used to produce crops or livestock on a large scale.
Organic agriculture: This type of agriculture is based on the principles of sustainability and environmental protection. It does not use synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms.

What are the benefits of agriculture?

Agriculture provides many benefits, including:

Food: Agriculture is the primary source of food for humans and animals.
Fiber: Agriculture provides fibers for clothing, paper, and other products.
Fuel: Agriculture provides biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Jobs: Agriculture employs millions of people around the world.
Economic Development: Agriculture can help to stimulate economic development in rural areas.
Conservation: Agriculture can help to conserve natural Resources, such as water and soil.

What are the challenges of agriculture?

Agriculture faces many challenges, including:

Climate change: Climate change is causing changes in weather patterns, which can make it difficult to grow crops and raise livestock.
Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major problem in many parts of the world, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the demands of agriculture.
Soil degradation: Soil degradation is a major problem in many parts of the world, and it is making it difficult to produce food.
Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can cause significant damage to crops and livestock, and they can be difficult to control.
Market volatility: The prices of agricultural products can be volatile, which can make it difficult for farmers to make a profit.

What is the future of agriculture?

The future of agriculture is uncertain, but it is likely that the challenges that agriculture faces will become more severe. Climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, pests and diseases, and market volatility are all likely to become more serious problems in the future. Agriculture will need to adapt to these challenges in order to continue to provide food and fiber for the world’s growing population.

Which of the following is not a major crop grown in Meghalaya?
(A) Rice
(B) Tea
(C) Wheat
(D) Potato
The main type of farming practiced in Meghalaya is:
(A) Subsistence farming
(B) Commercial farming
(C) Plantation farming
(D) Mixed Farming
The main source of irrigation in Meghalaya is:
(A) Rainwater
(B) Canals
(C) Wells
(D) Tube wells
The main livestock raised in Meghalaya are:
(A) Cows
(B) Buffaloes
(C) Pigs
(D) Goats
The main forest products of Meghalaya are:
(A) Timber
(B) Bamboo
(C) Teak
(D) Rubber
The main mineral resources of Meghalaya are:
(A) Coal
(B) Limestone
(C) Gypsum
(D) Mica
The main industries of Meghalaya are:
(A) Tea
(B) Cement
(C) Handloom
(D) Jute
The main tourist attractions of Meghalaya are:
(A) The Mawphlang Sacred Forest
(B) The Nokrek National Park
(C) The Cherrapunji Falls
(D) The Mawlynnong Village
The main languages spoken in Meghalaya are:
(A) Khasi
(B) Garo
(C) Jaintia
(D) All of the above
The capital of Meghalaya is:
(A) Shillong
(B) Tura
(C) Jowai
(D) Nongstoin