Soil is important natural resource providing water, nutrient and mechanical support for plant growth. In agroecosystem, continuous manipulation of soil is going on through addition of input, removal of nutrients, changing water balance and microbial life. These changes affect the soil properties (physical chemical and biological) and deviation of these properties from the normal status is controlled by soil buffering capacity and soil resilience. If these changes are beyond the reach of soil resilience then soil loses its original state leading to soil degradation. To maintain soil in healthy condition it is needed to maintain the soil physical, chemical and biological properties and this is possible through adoption of different agronomic approaches. The diversification of nutrient sources with emphasis on the organic sources, adopting principles of conservation agriculture, enhancing soil microbial diversity, efficient resource recycling through integrated farming system and amendment addition for correcting the soil reactions are the potential options for improving soil health and discussed in this review. Further, article reviewed the concept of soil health and its development, issues related with soil health and indicators of healthy soil. At the same time, the impact of ill health of soil on the crop productivity and resource use efficiency reported in different part of the world in recent years is also reviewed. The agro-techniques such as green and brown manuring in arable land and agroforestry on degraded and marginal land were followed on piece meal basis and that to for economic gain. The potential of these and several other options for maintaining soil health is recognized evaluated and quantified for their wider application. Use of crop residue, agro-industrial waste and untreated mineral or industrial waste (basic slag, phosphogypsum, etc.) as soil amendments has hues potential to maintain healthy soil along with serving as source of crop nutrition. In our review emphasis has been given to evaluate and quantified the presently followed agro-techniques for their contribution to soil health improvement across agro-climatic regions for their wider implications. Further, emphasis has been given for innovative approaches for soil health management rather than mere application of manures and fertilizers for crop nutrition.

/pdf/soil-health-and-its-improvement-through-novel-agronomic-and-yhma33q359.pdf

Soil Health and Its Improvement Through Novel Agronomic and Innovative Approaches

Abstract Background Shifting cultivation is a major agriculture practice in the Nagaland state of India. This study examines the effect of shifting cultivation and the length of the fallow period on soil quality index (SQI). Four sites were selected for the study, viz., a shifting cultivation site (SCS), a 3-year-old fallow land (FL-3), a 7-year-old fallow land (FL-7), and a 12-year-old fallow land (FL-12). Soil parameters were recorded seasonally and SQI was calculated from the minimum data set. Results With the increase in the fallow period, the values of conductivity, soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, moisture, clay, and cation exchange capacity of soil increased. Meanwhile, soil pH and bulk density decreased with fallow duration. The additive SQI a values were in the order SCS &lt; FL-3 &lt; FL-12 &lt; FL-7; meanwhile, the weighted SQI w values were in the order SCS &lt; FL-3 &lt; FL-7 &lt; FL-12. It is also observed that the SQI value decreases with the increase in soil depth under both the weighted and additive indexes. SCS with the lowest SQI value reflects the reduced soil organic carbon (SOC) and macronutrients. Increased SOC levels in site FL-12 (2.88–3.94%) may be one reason for its higher SQI value. Conclusions Our study highlights that unsustainable practices of shifting cultivation and reduction in the fallow period negatively affect soil quality. Furthermore, the study also recommends the use of the weighted method of SQI as it agrees with the reports of land use causing alteration in the soil quality. Our findings may be utilized to quickly access and disseminate information to the stakeholders and aid in constructing local soil quality index maps of the region. There is an urgent need for a rapid, cost and resource-efficient soil quality assessment and SQI may be one tool that achieves this goal. 

/pdf/effect-of-shifting-cultivation-and-fallow-on-soil-quality-1ebnefo9.pdf

Effect of shifting cultivation and fallow on soil quality index in Mokokchung district, Nagaland, India

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important greenhouse gas (GHG) due to its high contribution to global warming. The CO2 concentrations have increased significantly across the world after the industrialization. The anthropogenic provenance to the concentration of CO2 needs immediate mitigative interventions. India is a global agricultural powerhouse and significantly contributing to the global CO2 levels. Here, we present the changes in CO2 concentrations between 2009 and 2020 in India with respect to agricultural activities. We also propose steps to reduce yield scaled soil emissions through agricultural management. The CO2 concentrations in India show a steady increase of about 2.42 ppm/year from 2009 to 2020. The Central India (CEI), Hilly (HIL) and Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) show a relatively higher increase of about 2.43 ppm/year during the period. The highest CO2 concentration is observed during zaid (March to May) season, whereas the lowest CO2 concentration is observed during kharif (June to September) season. Anthropogenic activities such as the high use of fossil fuels and biomass burning are the two factors that significantly affect concentrations and temporal trends of CO2 in India. A pilot-scale agricultural nutrient management experiment suggests that stable carbon alternatives like biochar can reduce soil CO2 emissions without losing grain yield in paddy. Therefore, our analyses provide a better understanding of the spatio-temporal variations of CO2 over India during agricultural seasons in relation to biomass burning, vegetation and anthropogenic activities. Furthermore, it suggests a policy implication for enforcing sustainable measures to reduce CO2 emissions from agricultural activities in India. 

Decadal variations in CO2 during agricultural seasons in India and role of management as sustainable approach

Integrated farming system (IFS) based shifting cultivation reduces soil erosion and outperform in terms of productivity and income generation in North-Eastern Hills of India. To address this hypoth...

Preventing soil degradation in shifting cultivation using integrated farming system models

Shifting cultivation is a widespread land‐use in many tropical countries that also harbours significant levels of biodiversity. Increasing frequency of cultivation cycles and expansion into old‐growth forests have intensified the impacts of shifting cultivation on biodiversity and carbon sequestration. We assessed how bird diversity responds to shifting cultivation and the potential for co‐benefits for both biodiversity and carbon in such landscapes to inform carbon‐based payments for ecosystem service (PES) schemes.

/pdf/the-value-of-shifting-cultivation-for-biodiversity-in-u85lkqbb.pdf

The value of shifting cultivation for biodiversity in Northeast India

Historically, shifting cultivation has been traced back to the neolithic period. It has undergone transitions from being a subsistence agriculture to small surpluses. Despite the global changes intruding into the socio-economic sphere of the tribal communities across Northeastern region of India, shifting cultivation continues to play an important role in providing livelihoods and food security to the rural tribal households. It seems that shifting cultivation is closely tied to the cultural identity of the tribal people. Therefore, its importance lies beyond mere economic concerns. Though with government interventions and under innovative shifting cultivation, the farmers in the region have switched to newer methods of cultivation, shifting cultivation continues parallel to sedentary cultivation accommodating at the same time the value system and needs of the tribal society. Concurrently, the Jhumias – shifting cultivators are constantly incorporating new measures into shifting cultivation to make it ecologically less destructive. Amidst changing perceptions on shifting cultivation practices, the paper tries to analyse the continuance of shifting cultivation in the region.

/pdf/review-note-on-shifting-cultivation-in-northeast-india-4ccmuuk7jw.pdf

Review Note on Shifting Cultivation in Northeast India amidst Changing Perceptions

Livelihood Diversification and its Impact On Poverty Status: A Study with Special Reference to the Rabha Community of Kamrup(r) District in Assam

The Prime Minister of India in various episodes of his Mann Ki Baat (MKB) addresses, recognised the entrepreneurial spirit of the SHG members, their commitment to the community and the innovations they made. Movement of SHG women groups from thrift to microenterprise provides them access to capital, shared resources, and pooled knowledge. In this research study an attempt is made to arrive at factors behind successful entrepreneurial activities of six SHGs which found mention in the Prime Minister’s MKB address. SWOT analysis of these SHG enterprises is presented. Also, the paper examines the impact of MKB in strengthening micro-enterprises. Cross-case comparison is done to bring out the commonalities, variations and success factors of the SHG micro-enterprises that were studied. From this study, it is found that cluster-based SHG enterprises with multiple groups are more successful than individual enterprises. These enterprises have often organized their activities around a cluster of products, some of which are developed from traditional skill, as distinct from single products. Most SHG enterprises have to carry on end-to-end operations on their own and derive little support from aggregators. Those SHG enterprises which could plug into established marketing platforms could do well. Capacities are a key ingredient of success. It is better if capacities are based on traditional professions, and if such capacities are not available, other unique production capacities need to be acquired. The case studies found an increase in the level of motivation among SHG members after the MKB address. The social recognition and support base of the SHG members increased substantially. The SHG members experienced financial strengthening individually and in the group after the Mann Ki Baat address. This has led to a multiplier effect in the activities of some SHGs especially those which were functioning in a cluster, thus helping in reaching the unreached.

In Search of Excellence in Rural Transformation: The Mann Ki Baat Cases of Self-Help Group Entrepreneurs

The agriculture sector, which continues to be pivotal to sustainable growth and development, has been recently mobilising farmers into member-owned producer organisations, or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to enhance production, productivity and profitability of agriculturists, especially the small and marginal farmers in the country. The FPCs, which have been brought in for improved transparency and access to the input and output market with higher negotiating powers leading to sustainability of the small and marginal farmers, are said to provide higher legitimacy and credibility in the immediate business environment. Though Assam too is not behind in forming FPCs, challenges and issues abound. Majority of these FPCs are in the nascent stage of their operations with shareholder membership ranging from more than 500 farmers to over 1500 farmers. It is also seen that from capacity building to taking up business operations, many issues need to be addressed in these FPCs. These FPCs are in need of support in technical handholding and provision of adequate capital and infrastructure facilities including market linkages for sustaining their business operations. The present paper tries exploring and understanding the ecosystem of the FPCs in Assam, which are focussing on small and marginal farmers, and delving into the issues and challenges faced by the FPCs in the state and the possible ways out. JEL Classification: Q13

Understanding Farmer Producer Company (FPC) Ecosystem in Assam: Issues and Challenges

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Papers

Review Note on Shifting Cultivation in Northeast India amidst Changing Perceptions

Livelihood Diversification and its Impact On Poverty Status: A Study with Special Reference to the Rabha Community of Kamrup(r) District in Assam

In Search of Excellence in Rural Transformation: The Mann Ki Baat Cases of Self-Help Group Entrepreneurs

Understanding Farmer Producer Company (FPC) Ecosystem in Assam: Issues and Challenges