"VOICES OF JHUMIAS OF NORTH-EAST INDIA"

Jhuming Field in remote hills of Manipur

By: Letthenlal Haokip

Agriculture related policies of most countries are highly biased towards irrigated lowlands in comparison to rain fed mountain farming. The mountain farmers are yet to harvest adequately the fruits of technological achievements and other institutional benefits available to their counterpart lowland farmers. Thus, it is imperative to have proper farm policy, which addresses the core issues of mountains for sustainable mountain farming and overall development of mountain farmers.

North-East India is comprised of seven states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. It lies between 21.57-29.30 (degree) N latitude and 89.49-97.30 (degree) E longitude and is bordered by Bhutan, Tibet (China), Myanmar and Bangladesh. The total area accounts for 2.60 lakh sq kms and has a population of 3.85 crores (2001 census), which accounts for 7.76 and 3.75 of the country's population. About 70% of the region is hilly and inhabited by over 100 ethnic tribal communities who practice shifting cultivation, known locally as jhuming. The region is ethnically, culturally and agro-climatically distinct from other parts of the country and the people are Tibeto-mongoloid origin. The tribal communities of Northeast India who practice jhuming for their livelihood are known as 'jhumia'.

Importance of Jhuming and the Region

'Jhum cultivation' is the chief system of mountain farming in the seven states of the Northeast India affecting about two-third area and is mainly responsible for the fast degrading environment of the north-eastern hill region. It is the main livelihood option and the most important socio-economic activity of more than a hundred tribal communities. The system is becoming unsustainable due to population pressure and lack of other livelihood options resulting in serious resource and environmental degradation with far reaching socio-economic environmental consequences. The region hosts one of the two 'biodiversity hotspots' of the country and some of the world's most endangered wildlife species are found only in this area of India. The deforestation of thousands of square kilometers of forestland every year due to jhumming in the region results in destruction of rich biodiversity and an increase of Carbon-dioxide concentration in the atmosphere (global warming).

Policy and Governance Issues in Jhuming

The following challenges and options are an important part of the policy and governance related issues in jhuming cultivation:

• Population growth: The population growth of N.E. India is always higher than that of the national average. The last decadal growth rate of the region (30.63) is 50% higher than the national average (21.34). This alarming increase in population is the root caused of un-sustainability of the jhum system. Because the population pressure on land decreases the jhum cycle leading to resourch degradation and low productivity, the system is ultimately rendered unsustainable.The reasons for high population growth in the region may be attributed mainly to lack of awareness on family planning and socio-religious beliefs. Hence, change in attitude of jhumia tribes is necessary to control population growth.
• Land tenure system: Most lands in the north-east hill regions belong to either the chiefs or the community, and as such, there is no individual ownership system. Jhumias have no legal right over their piece of land and pay land taxes in most cases. This inequitable land ownership pattern is responsible for undeveloped jhum lands in exchange for better productive activities on a long term basis. A balanced land reformed policy for equitable ownership right within the tribal community, while safe guarding tribal land from outside community is required.
• Rural infrastructure: Absence of proper transport and marketing system in the north-east hill regions restrict livelihood options to jhum cultivation.
• Roads: An all weathered road and effective marketing system is essential for diversified income generating activities. Otherwise, all market-oriented produces of jhumias will become a waste. Construction and maintenance of all state roads may be given to reputed organizations like BRO/BRTF and the creation of a marketing network including co-operatives is essential for the overall development of jhumias.
• Project implementation: There are many projects of both central and state control jhum cultivation with well-planned objectives and large budgets. However, there is little visible impact in field conditions of jhumias. This may be mainly attributed to ineffective implementing of machinery at all levels. The central government also grants many development and poverty alleviation schemes through state governments, but appears not to be serious enough for effective implementation and monitoring of the same. Proper selection of persons to head the projects and regular monitoring by an independent central agency is necessary for proper implementation of schemes.
• Research and Extension: Despite the presence of two Agricultural universities and ICAR Research Complex for the north-east Hill Region, there is insufficient research for the poor jhumias. The 'LUM technology' developed by ICAR for the north-east hill region has not been adopted by any jhumia, which may be due to unaffordable input components of the technology knowledge and the land tenure system. In order to rectify this research gap, all agricultural research institutions should give more emphasis on more difficult areas of rain fed uplands. In addition, scientist should base their research on indigenous technology knowledge (ITK) to make it simple, economic and adoptable by tribal farmers. There is poor data concerning jhum and available date on basis of information from various sources vary and are unreliable. Therefore, it is necessary to have a 'Shifting Cultivation Research Institute' to undertake research and survey on all aspects of jhuming.
• Diversified livelihood options: Lack of diversified options and employment opportunities is an important factor for increasing population pressure on jhum cultivation and its un-sustainability. Diversified on agriculture and other income generating activities are possible alternative employment options for tribal jhumias.
• Government support: There is lack of proper government support for the jhumias and the following provisions are essential to improve their socio-economic condition: limited grant for land development-terracing, irrigation, subsidies on inputs like seed and fertilizers, special provision for long-term soft loans without security mortgage and price support-adequate pricing of jhum produces.
• Attitudinal change of jhumias: Change in the attitude of jhumias is necessary for controlling population growth. THis includes family planning and socio-religious beliefs. Moreover, land reform in order to ensure equitable ownership right needs to be organized within the community. Finally, food habits must change in order to reduce over-dependence on rice as a staple and less nutrient demanding carbo-rich crops.
• Networking - Information and Technology: There is a very poor system of communication in the region. Development of networking with other areas/countries is essential to share the information and technology on shifting cultivation. This is important for policy planning and updating research and development strategies.
• Development for peace: Most of north-east India, except for a few pockets is infested with insurgency that has penetrated into the political and governance system to some extent. It is importanct to realize that underdevelopment and poverty, which results in feelings of alienation/neglect among the youths, is the root cause of this insurgency. It disturbs peace and security with adverse effect on development and poverty before taking up other security measures like counter-insurgency, keeping in view its strategic location.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for policy exclusively for 'jhum cultivation' and jhumias of north-east India, which should focus on the following:

•  Emphasis on "sustainable jhum system" and to achieve this:  (1) 'improving jhuming' for more economically and ecologically viable system based on indigenous technology knowledge (ITK) (2).'reduce population pressure' through diversified livelihood options and population control measures, and (3) address other economic and socio-political issues related to jhuming and jhumias.
• Involvement of jhumias in all policy planning, implementation and monitorint, etc;
• Sensitization of policy makers and planners, especially political leadership regarding importance of jhuming and its serious socio-economic and environmental implication in a democratic political system;
• Strong political will, efficient government system and receptive jhumias are essential for the success of a jhum policy. However, this is the biggest challenge which is seriously lacking in this region with political instability, unlike the more developed hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

About the Author

Letthenlal Haokip holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management degree with specialization in ENTREPRENEURSHIP and hails from Manipur state in North-East India.