Analysing Challenges and Strategies in Land Productivity in Sikkim Himalaya, India

Abstract

Agriculture is the major source of livelihood in rural areas and is considered the backbone of the Indian economy. In Sikkim, agriculture is being practiced by 80% of the rural population, and having no other major livelihood options has created immense pressure on the farmers and agricultural land. Agriculture sector is under great stress as the farmers are being confronted by various challenges in Sikkim Himalaya in recent years, such as land degradation, climate change and socio-economic problems. Despite the number of indigenous agriculture management methods being practised in Sikkim Himalaya, the agricultural production system is weakening. In this context, this paper presents an analysis of challenges faced by indigenous communities, local farmers and potential sustainable strategies for their management in Rani Khola watershed of Sikkim Himalaya. Data and information were collected by field observation, questionnaire surveys of 300 households, key informant interviews and focus group discussions conducted during 2017–18. Data processing and analysis were carried out with a combination of techniques, such as the application of remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS)-based data processing and descriptive statistics. Major challenges identified in the watershed are water scarcity (80%), climate change (88%), soil erosion and runoff (72%), higher investment cost (100%), lack of irrigation facilities (77%), fragmentation and size of landholdings (100), human–wildlife conflict (59%) and pests and disease (60%). Some possibilities and innovations that could address these problems are the use and retaining of various indigenous soil and water conservation (SWC) measures, diversified farming systems, community involvement in the government development process, better irrigation facilities, strengthening the local economy, coordinated planning between stakeholders and development of market feedback mechanism within the system.

Land Degradation, Overland Flow, Soil Erosion, and Nutrient Loss in the Eastern Himalayas, India

“…In all of these villages, the majority of households still practice mixed farming, with mostly subsistence crops and a herd of cows and goats. The majority of the households reported that soils were becoming less productive and had lost much of their previous production capability [39]. Maize, paddy, ginger, vegetables, and cardamom are still the main crops, among which paddy, ginger and vegetables require manure.…”

Invasive Ageratina adenophora (Asteraceae) in Agroecosystems of Kumaun Himalaya, India: A Threat to Plant Diversity and Sustainable Crop Yield

“…Agriculture and related activities play a significant role in the lives of the Himalayan economy. A majority of these activities are centred between 1200 and 2000 m above sea level (mid-hill zone), where agriculture and allied activities account for about 80% of the rural economy [1,2]. The region differs in terms of topography, cropping patterns, agricultural practices, and in many more ways.…”

“…The region differs in terms of topography, cropping patterns, agricultural practices, and in many more ways. Traditional agricultural practices depend heavily on forest-derived resources (vegetative materials such as fodder and bedding leaves, and animal wastes) and are prominently subsistence-based without any commercial interest [2][3][4]. Production is meagre as the area under arable land is extremely limited and fragmented, with poor irrigation facilities [4].…”

Determinants of agricultural households to join farmer producer organisations (FPOs) in Northeast India: evidence from Sikkim

“…Due to hilly and difficult terrain, expansion of area under cultivation is limited and per-capita availability of land is low. Dependence of majority of the population and small holdings has kept agriculture at subsistence levels (Mishra et al, 2021). Traditional production technology, lack of reliable marketing channels, presence of large number of intermediaries, poor infrastructure support and vulnerability to natural calamities are the major constraints faced by smallholder farmers in the state (Subba, 2014;Sharma et al, 2017;Gurung, 2020).…”

“…Due to hilly and difficult terrain, expansion of area under cultivation is limited and per-capita availability of land is low. Dependence of majority of the population and small holdings has kept agriculture at subsistence levels (Mishra et al. , 2021).…”