104
S. Deb
1 Introduction
The traditional agroforestry systems are based largely on indigenous knowledge and
the species selection, where the farmers grow the plant species of the cultural patterns
of the social and traditional significance. Nevertheless, these practices have extended
out to marginal and sub-marginal lands due to the growing population pressure. To
meet the growing demands for food and small woods, the agroforestry practices
are surer way of stabilising productivity and income generation (Arunachalam et al.
2002). So, if planned appropriately, agroforestry has the potential to address a number
of land use problems viz., low soil fertility, fodder, fuel wood and timber requirements, and soil and water erosion. The traditional efforts have, however, resulted in
food-self-sufficiency and security of the tribal society. This traditional system can
therefore act as a substitute to shifting cultivation in addition to promotion and preservation of high agri-biodiversity, both at intra- and inter-specific levels through mixed
cropping. The systems also ensure food availability throughout the year through
sequence harvesting of the crops (Arunachalam et al. 2002).
Shastri et al. (2002) reported that socio-culturally valued species find place in
agroforestry and courtyards traditionally. Supporting medicinal plants cultivation in
the traditional agroforestry system is an additive to the livelihood security and in situ
conservation of the species. Nonetheless, there are both ecological and economical
interactions among different components in these systems (Lundgren and Raintree
1983). Systematic attempts by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Research Complex for northeastern hill region in 1975 and All India Coordinated
Research Project on Agroforestry in different centres of the Institute in 1987 have
resulted in development of several models that can be rejuvenated in the sloppy hills.
Nonetheless, information on traditional agroforestry practices in the Northeastern
part of India is vague, which otherwise is essential for their further improvement
and extrapolation to other potential sites. Vegetational cover in agroforestry system
impedes the velocity of runoff on soil surface, checks soil erosion, silting and landslides thus reducing the danger of floods. The litter derived from the fallen leaves
maintain fertility status of the soil by returning the nutrients. Some improvements
required in this system for sustainable soil system is by tightening soil-plant cycle and
decreasing nutrient losses that have to be replaced by external inputs. Leguminous
cover crop can be used to add nitrogen inputs and to improve soil fertility status that
influences soil productivity. In this paper, the more commonly observed traditional
agroforestry systems have been discussed and their productivity, sustainability and
impact on farm income of three different ethnic communities viz. Nyshis, Apatanis
and Kalitas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the northeastern part of India.
S. Deb
1 Introduction
The traditional agroforestry systems are based largely on indigenous knowledge and
the species selection, where the farmers grow the plant species of the cultural patterns
of the social and traditional significance. Nevertheless, these practices have extended
out to marginal and sub-marginal lands due to the growing population pressure. To
meet the growing demands for food and small woods, the agroforestry practices
are surer way of stabilising productivity and income generation (Arunachalam et al.
2002). So, if planned appropriately, agroforestry has the potential to address a number
of land use problems viz., low soil fertility, fodder, fuel wood and timber requirements, and soil and water erosion. The traditional efforts have, however, resulted in
food-self-sufficiency and security of the tribal society. This traditional system can
therefore act as a substitute to shifting cultivation in addition to promotion and preservation of high agri-biodiversity, both at intra- and inter-specific levels through mixed
cropping. The systems also ensure food availability throughout the year through
sequence harvesting of the crops (Arunachalam et al. 2002).
Shastri et al. (2002) reported that socio-culturally valued species find place in
agroforestry and courtyards traditionally. Supporting medicinal plants cultivation in
the traditional agroforestry system is an additive to the livelihood security and in situ
conservation of the species. Nonetheless, there are both ecological and economical
interactions among different components in these systems (Lundgren and Raintree
1983). Systematic attempts by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Research Complex for northeastern hill region in 1975 and All India Coordinated
Research Project on Agroforestry in different centres of the Institute in 1987 have
resulted in development of several models that can be rejuvenated in the sloppy hills.
Nonetheless, information on traditional agroforestry practices in the Northeastern
part of India is vague, which otherwise is essential for their further improvement
and extrapolation to other potential sites. Vegetational cover in agroforestry system
impedes the velocity of runoff on soil surface, checks soil erosion, silting and landslides thus reducing the danger of floods. The litter derived from the fallen leaves
maintain fertility status of the soil by returning the nutrients. Some improvements
required in this system for sustainable soil system is by tightening soil-plant cycle and
decreasing nutrient losses that have to be replaced by external inputs. Leguminous
cover crop can be used to add nitrogen inputs and to improve soil fertility status that
influences soil productivity. In this paper, the more commonly observed traditional
agroforestry systems have been discussed and their productivity, sustainability and
impact on farm income of three different ethnic communities viz. Nyshis, Apatanis
and Kalitas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the northeastern part of India.