Small Scale Subsistence Farming in Nalbari District of Assam, India and the Scope of Sustainable Development of the Households

Abstract

Land is the free gift of nature to man for the sustenance of life and sustainable use of land resources is an inevitable choice for sustainable development. Maintaining productive land and healthy soils to ensure food security, sustainable development and restoration of degraded land is essential for the future of mankind. Small-scale farming does not require a large amount of land and this aspect enables the development of various crops and livestock in the neighbourhood. In the present study, Nalbari district of Assam, India has been taken and most of the inhabitants of case study villages in Nalbari district make their income from small-scale farming. Diversified uses of available land is one of the significant strategy adopted by households to remain sustained in their natural and human environment in the district. The sustainable use of land resource in the study area is based on indigenous knowledge systems. To compare various indicators generated from the primary survey of this study, standardization is required and Z-transformation method is used for standardizing indicators. Level of economic sustainability is high in Paramankhow, Mohina village (0.1 and above), medium in Haribhanga, Sataibari, No.1 larkuchi village (-0.25 to 0.1) and low in Tilana, Deharkatara, Paila, kachimpur, Suplekuchi, Sandheli, Barajal, Uttarkuchi, Barkuriha, Bajaliudaypur, Kalardia, Loharkatha, Chamata, Mohkhuli, Dahudi village (Less than -0.25). Based on composite Z score value, level of environmental sustainability is not high in the case study villages in Nalbari district. The type of soils and abundant rainfall are blessing for the commercial cultivation of different subtropical fruit crops such as Banana, Assam lemon, Mandarin orange, Coconut, Areca nut, Jackfruit, Papaya, Litchi, along with spice crops like Ginger, Turmeric, Chilli, Black pepper etc. in the district. The agriculture in entire district is organic by default, due to low use of agro chemicals in field and horticultural crops.