FARMING PRACTICE IN A FLOODPLAIN VILLAGE OF ASSAM (INDIA): CONTINUITY AND CHANGE

Abstract

Farming practice in a floodplain environment holds great ecological,
economic and social significance. In many cases, agriculture is modernized
without caring much for the local environmental conditions. The traditional
farming practices, although relatively less productive, are more often than not ecofriendly
and sustainable. This paper attempts to study the farming practices
followed in a floodplain village of the Brahmaputra valley, Assam, India in terms
of cropping practice, inputs and crop protection measures, methods of harvesting
and threshing and changes in cropping technology. The study is based on (i)
primary data collected from all the 408 households of the village through a
purposively designed survey schedule, (ii) interviews with selected farmers and
other local knowledgeable persons, and (iii) field observation made by the authors.
The data and information thus generated have been summarized using simple
statistical and cartographic tools. The study reveals that the farming practice in the
village is still traditional in nature with little application of modern inputs and
implements. The small size of landholding and scattering of plots and very limited
diversification of the rural economy hinder the process of modernization of the
farming practice.