Rice-based Integrated Farming Systems in the Northeast

1. Rice-based Integrated Farming Systems in the Northeast B.P. Bhatt ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Nagaland

2. Introduction In the third world countries, some 2.3-2.6 billion people are supported by agricultural systems characterized by modern technologies brought about by the Green Revolution. These systems utilize good soils and usually have reliable access to water. However, these systems are not applicable to the 1.9-2.2 billion (82.6-84.6%) people living in rainfed, undulating and mountainous areas, which are largely untouched by modern technologies. Their agricultural systems are complex and diverse, and are located in the humid and subhumid areas, the hills and mountains and the dry lands of uncertain rainfall. They commonly produce per unit area only one-fifth to one-tenth of the food as farms in the industrialized and Green Revolution lands (Pretty, 1995). �

3. Contd. Moreover, the green revolution belt of the country has already reached production plateau besides leading to environmental hazards and resultant impact on human health thereby bringing in increased concerned for sustainability. Such concerns have given rise to the concept of evergreen revolution through alternative farming system methods like organic farming, biodynamic farming etc. Such farming practices are largely dependent on organic sources of fertilizer, recycling of within farm renewable resources and off farm wastes. Integrated Farming System (IFS) is based on the concept that �there is no waste�, and �waste is only a misplace resource which can become a valuable material for another product (Edwards et al., 1986).

4. Opportunities for IFS Diverse and complex agricultural systems, About 63% rainfed agricultural area, Indigenous plant, animal and fish resources, Existing agro-biodiversity, Availability of animal manure including crop residues and high biomass production for clean food production.

5. Components of Rice-based IFS Rice-fish integration Rice-Livestock farming including poultry and duckery. Rice-fish-azolla farming Multipurpose trees and shrubs Hedgerow intercropping Variety of other crops like seasonal vegetables, medicinal herbs, and potential wild edibles.