Design intervention for terrace cultivation in the hilly region of North Eastern India

Abstract

In the North Eastern Region (NER) of India, agriculture has been a source of livelihood for majority of the population. The farmers of the region practices two distinct types of farming namely Jhum cultivation and terrace cultivation. In spite of huge potential of the region for agricultural and horticultural produce, its productivity falls below the national average. Agriculture in the hilly areas of NER faces numerous challenges due to factors such as traditional farming methods, use of poorly designed tools, tough terrains, and also lack of good agricultural practices, irrigation, mechanization, power for mechanization, transportation networks etc. This research is to facilitate terrace farming through design intervention by designing an appropriate system. Initial challenge is to design tools that can be manually used and followed by tools that can be used with small engine to form terrace.