Towards Doubling Farm Income: Myths or Reality for the North East Hilly Region

Farming systems in north-eastern states are complex and characterized with high degree of risk and uncertainty. At household level, particularly in upland conditions, the farming systems are highly diverse with multiple crops (mixed cropping), but at aggregate level the cropping pattern is skewed to paddy only. At the aggregate level, the extent of crop diversification appeared quite low in the north-eastern states. But, at the micro-level, the studies indicate the possibility of a very high level of crop diversification, particularly at highland regions. This dichotomy is prevailing in the north-east agriculture. Improvement of farming system through selection and promotion of suitable crop-mix in compliance with the existing socioeconomic as well as topographical situations would certainly enhance farm income. However, those crops were mostly cultivated at a very small scale and the economies of scales were restricted as those farm lands were primarily managed by the family labour and the scope of farm mechanization was limited. There is a growing need for prioritization of sub-sectors with potential of short-term as well as long-term growth and framing strategies to sustain these growths through appropriate institutional support and public- private partnership (PPP). The process will help reduce economic inequality and provide social stability where the voice of local community will be the major guiding force.