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agriculture and Animal Husbandry or pastoralism have long been and still are the mainstay livelihoods and occupations of the human communities in the Himalayan state of Uttarkhand. Closely and symbiotically interlinked, both of them are deeply dependent on the neighbouring forests and ecosystem for sustenance and viability.
Agriculture in 87% of hill Uttarakhand is rainfed. It is distinguished by its organic cultivation methods and marked by exceptionally rich Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity. The farmers of Nahikalan, a village I’ve been closely associated with grow up to 40 different crops in a year.
The following example illustrates the diversity, associated knowledge and sustainability of traditional Farming Systems in this area.
Baranaja is a Mixed Farming, companion planting system, a veritable community/Society of crops that are planted together on the same terraced fields in the kharif/chau masa or monsoon season.
Amongst the grains (Cereals/Millets) there will be mandua (finger millet), ramdana (amaranthus), kuttu/ogal (buckwheat), jwar (sorghum) and makki (corn)
Pulses and beans like rajma, lobia, bhatt, gehat, naurangi, urad and mung
Oilseeds like til, bhangjeer, sann, bhang
Vegetables like ogal, chollai, kheera, lobia
Spices like jakhiya and til (sesame).
Fibre Plants like sann and bhang
Vines of pulses leap onto sturdier crops like corn and millets and climb far, in exchange they share the extra nitrogen that they fix in the Soil _ works well for both.
As plants grow and flourish at different levels/ storeys much like a natural forest, they utilize multiple levels of space. This system implies more overall productivity, meeting of diverse food and nutritional security of humans and cattle, minimizing risks due to Climate and pests and sustained Soil fertility.
Important and hard tasks like weeding, hoeing and harvesting are still undertaken together by working on each others fields in turn, as is the sowing of paddy. Village typically go together to graze cattle or fetch fodder and fuelwood. What is missing is the earlier music, song and dance though they still talk and joke a lot.
Agroforestry:
In between rainfed agri-terraces are numerous trees of astounding diversity and so too all over the agricultural zone. Their numbers run into (even tens of) thousands of trees for a single village. Wild bushes, Grasses and herbs too abound here. In the monsoon its easy to mistake the agricultural zone for a forest.
This amazing traditional agro-Forestry system importantly provides diverse fodders, foods, fuelwood, fibre, firelight, medicine, timber etc. Besides minimizing erosion on steep slopes they create wonderful nutrient cycles and micro-climate for crops and enhance livelihood security and accessibility.
Agriculture here is completely powered by cattle. The most critical component of organic manures is cowdung. And all tilling of the land is done by bullocks. Along with this symbiotic link with agriculture, cow and buffalo milk and milk products are critical to food and nutritional security and livelihood risk reduction. Its likely a climatically and ecologically surer livelihood option than rainfed agriculture.
Perhaps the single most important feature that determines water availability, above mainstay livelihoods and other needs including determining where habitations are located is forests.
Forests here provide critical livelihood needs like fodder for cattle, resultant cowdung for manures, leaf mulches for crops, quality fuel woods, wild foods, medicines for humans and cattle, wood for housing, furniture and implements and importantly a congenial micro-climate for several special hill crops. They are the critical factor in sustained water availability… through springs, streams, rivers, pools and ponds etc.
The well being and Quality Of Life in these Mountains is directly linked to the Health and diversity of the neighbouring forests, especially those above villages. Little wonder they have a special place in Garhwali Folk Music and culture.
For centuries dozens of wild food plants comprising flowers/buds, fruits/berries, leaves, wild tubers etc. comprised a very crucial part of the food and particularly nutritional security of local communities.
Threats and Challenges to Sustainability
But these mountains are no Shangri-la, despite such inherent strengths there have been and are several challenges.
The earliest modern challenge was attempts to take over control of forests by the British followed by the Indian state. Often leading to alienation, forest felling, attempted commercialization, and local resistance movements and initiatives.
Application of the dominant industrial development paradigm to these Himalayan regions through government policies especially in sectors of energy, mining, agriculture, road building etc. are a big challenge. As they see even these, the worlds greatest mountains and its civilization defining rivers as merely natural Resources to be exploited. The effects on communities, livelihoods and Environment, local and all the way downstream is neglected, underplayed and ignored. Can this ever be sustainable for the Himalayas or these mighty rivers and all the life that is linked to them.
At the same time local livelihoods, lifestyles, folk knowledge (significantly of agriculture and forests) and cultures were singularly neglected, ignored and regarded as backward, leading to economic, social and cultural Devaluation. With the above thrust this lead to shrinking economically viable livelihood Options and changing and growing (especially economic) aspirations. Add to this woeful neglect of health and quality Education needs of villages and small towns and cultural influences of television, films and big cities. The result has been widespread Migration from the hills.
At the local level, Rain Fed Farming communities across Uttarakhand are today struggling with the vagaries and unpredictability of changing swinging climate…to which they have made virtually no contribution.
Over the last two decades forest fires have become the most widespread local threat to forests with their increased frequency, wider range and severity. Climate Change induced frequenter long dry spells or severe heat spells along with alienation of communities due to government forest policies are primary causes. Result is enormous eminently avoidable harm to forests and communities, releasing massive pollutants and stored carbon, even as carbon sinks are destroyed, adding significantly to Global Warming and climate change.
And yet, organic biodiverse agriculture, natural forests and dependence on them have changed far less in the hills of Uttarakhand especially Garhwal, compared to other western Himalayan states. The sustainability of these primary livelihoods, lifestyles and their core characteristics have enabled the sustainability, Integrity and perhaps survival of these mountain Ecosystems over centuries.
Significantly, the last four decades have seen several remarkable efforts by local communities to protect forests, mountains, water sources, agriculture and linked livelihoods _ often fighting apathetic Governments, Money and muscle power, timber mafia and politicians, the arrogance of modern science and economics.
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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.
Industrial agriculture based on large-scale Monoculture in the twentieth century came to dominate agricultural output, though about 2 billion people still depended on subsistence agriculture into the twenty-first.
Agriculture is a major driver of environmental change, and is one of the leading causes of global warming, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
Agriculture in Uttarakhand is a major contributor to the state’s economy. The state is home to a variety of crops, including rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, and pulses. Agriculture also supports a large number of livestock, including cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep.
The State Government has implemented a number of policies to promote agriculture in Uttarakhand. These policies include providing subsidies for agricultural inputs, such as seeds, Fertilizers, and pesticides. The government also provides training to farmers on modern agricultural techniques.
Agriculture in Uttarakhand faces a number of challenges. These challenges include climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation. The state government is working to address these challenges by implementing a number of initiatives. These initiatives include promoting rainwater harvesting, developing drought-tolerant crops, and planting trees to prevent soil erosion.
Agriculture is a vital part of the economy of Uttarakhand. The state government is committed to promoting agriculture and ensuring that it remains a sustainable source of livelihood for the people of Uttarakhand.
Here are some of the key crops grown in Uttarakhand:
- Rice: Rice is the staple food of Uttarakhand and is grown in the Terai region of the state.
- Wheat: Wheat is another important crop grown in Uttarakhand and is grown in the hills of the state.
- Maize: Maize is a major cereal crop grown in Uttarakhand and is used to make a variety of dishes.
- Sugarcane: Sugarcane is a major cash crop grown in Uttarakhand and is used to make sugar and molasses.
- Pulses: Pulses are a major source of protein in Uttarakhand and are grown in the hills of the state.
Here are some of the key livestock reared in Uttarakhand:
- Cattle: Cattle are the most important livestock reared in Uttarakhand and are used for milk, meat, and draught power.
- Buffalo: Buffalo are also reared in Uttarakhand and are used for milk, meat, and draught power.
- Goats: Goats are reared in Uttarakhand for their meat and milk.
- Sheep: Sheep are reared in Uttarakhand for their meat and wool.
Here are some of the key challenges faced by agriculture in Uttarakhand:
- Climate change: Climate change is a major challenge faced by agriculture in Uttarakhand. The state is experiencing increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall, which is affecting crop yields.
- Water scarcity: Water scarcity is another major challenge faced by agriculture in Uttarakhand. The state is facing a water crisis due to increasing Population and industrial development.
- Soil degradation: Soil degradation is a major challenge faced by agriculture in Uttarakhand. The state is losing fertile land due to deforestation, mining, and overgrazing.
- Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases are a major challenge faced by agriculture in Uttarakhand. The state is facing a number of pests and diseases that are affecting crops and livestock.
Despite these challenges, agriculture remains a vital part of the economy of Uttarakhand. The state government is committed to promoting agriculture and ensuring that it remains a sustainable source of livelihood for the people of Uttarakhand.
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 produce food for 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 large-scale production of crops or livestock using modern technology. It is often practiced in developed countries where there is a large demand for agricultural products.
- Organic agriculture: This type of agriculture is based on the principles of sustainability and environmental protection. It does not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and it promotes the use of natural methods of pest control and soil management.
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.
- Environmental protection: Agriculture can help to protect the environment by conserving water and soil resources.
What are the challenges of agriculture?
Agriculture faces many challenges, including:
- Climate change: Climate change is causing changes in temperature, Precipitation, and sea level, which are having a negative impact on agriculture.
- Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major challenge for agriculture in many parts of the world.
- Soil degradation: Soil degradation is a major problem in many parts of the world, and it is caused by a number of factors, including erosion, Salinization, and acidification.
- Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can cause significant damage to crops and livestock, and they can also spread diseases to humans.
- Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): GMOs are organisms that have been genetically modified using modern Biotechnology. There is controversy surrounding the use of GMOs, and some people believe that they pose a risk to human health and the environment.
What is the future of agriculture?
The future of agriculture is uncertain, but it is likely that it will be shaped by a number of factors, including climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, pests and diseases, GMOs, and technological advances. It is important to develop sustainable agricultural practices that can meet the needs of the growing population while protecting the environment.
1. What is the main occupation of the people of Uttarakhand?
(A) Agriculture
(B) Tourism
(C) Mining
(D) Manufacturing
2. What is the main crop grown in Uttarakhand?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Maize
(D) Sugarcane
3. What is the main source of Irrigation in Uttarakhand?
(A) Canals
(B) Wells
(C) Tanks
(D) Tube wells
4. What is the main type of livestock reared in Uttarakhand?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Goats
(D) Poultry
5. What is the main forest product of Uttarakhand?
(A) Timber
(B) Bamboo
(C) Grass
(D) Resin
6. What is the main mineral found in Uttarakhand?
(A) Coal
(B) Iron Ore
(C) Copper
(D) Mica
7. What is the main tourist attraction of Uttarakhand?
(A) The Himalayas
(B) The temples
(C) The wildlife sanctuaries
(D) The rivers
8. What is the main language spoken in Uttarakhand?
(A) Hindi
(B) Garhwali
(C) Kumaoni
(D) Pahari
9. What is the capital of Uttarakhand?
(A) Dehradun
(B) Haridwar
(C) Mussoorie
(D) Nainital
10. What is the population of Uttarakhand?
(A) 10 million
(B) 15 million
(C) 20 million
(D) 25 million