Role Of Agriculture In Rural Development In Northeast India: Prospects And Challenges

Abstract

The Northeastern region comprising of eight states is strategically important as it shares international boundary with other eastern countries. Rooted in diversity, the region is blessed with untapped natural resources, hills, wetlands, flora and fauna, rich indigenous knowledge and techniques, diverse farming practices that are unique in nature. Agriculture remains a major occupation of the people in the region with over 70% of the population is dependent on it for livelihood (NITI Aayog, 2021). The practice of sustainable indigenous farming practices is dormant in this part of the country where the farmers use age-old techniques of cultivation, irrigation that are scientific in nature. The impact of green revolution, modernisation of agriculture has escaped the northeast region to a larger extent making the agricultural practices ecologically safe and sustainable. Despite the fact that the region is abundant with natural resources, sustainable farming the region is lagging behind on several fronts. To meet the challenges faced by the farmers and making the region self-sufficient, the government is taking active interventions through various innovative schemes and policies that helps the farmers in developing. With the increased attention towards organic farming, climate-resilient agricultural practices that are already practiced in these states the government is striving to unleash the huge potentialities existing in the northeastern region and establish international market linkages. The paper is a humble attempt to understand the present agricultural scenario in the Northeastern states and the challenges faced. Further, the study aims to understand the prospects of agricultural growth and rural development in the Northeastern states. Secondary source of data was employed for the study. Data are collected from government websites, government reports, various international, national and regional research articles