Diminishing trend of home garden practices in Manipur

Sylvania Moirangthem and Dr RS Loushambam
Home gardens represent a well-established local approach extensively utilised by communities with limited resources and institutional backing. These gardens play a significant role in numerous developing nations' agricultural and food production systems, effectively combating hunger and malnutrition amid a global food crisis. They have been integral to family farming and local food systems for centuries. This practice is both historic and widespread around the world. Home gardens can be described as a land use system that entails the intentional management of various trees and shrubs alongside both annual and perennial crops and livestock, all situated within the boundaries of individual households. Home gardens illustrate numerous agroforestry traits, such as the close integration of various crops and multifunctional trees that meet the essential needs of local communities.
It represents a sophisticated agroforestry system and is among the earliest established land management methods. They have developed over generations, reflecting a gradual intensification of agricultural practices in response to rising human demands and the resulting scarcity of cultivable land. These systems are globally acknowledged as essential supplementary resources that improve food and nutritional security and support livelihoods. This integrated tree-crop-animal system is typically maintained through the dedicated efforts of family members.
Additionally, the layered structure and high biodiversity found in home gardens mitigate the environmental degradation often linked to monoculture farming practices. The primary goals of sustaining this system include ensuring the availability of various products such as food, fuel, vegetables, fruits, fodder, and medicines, in addition to creating income and employment opportunities. Traditional communities across the globe are encountering numerous challenges due to decreasing per capita land availability and the expansion of market economies. This situation has resulted in a transformation of land use, where the diverse cultivation of traditional crops is gradually being supplanted by a market-oriented monocul-ture system. This shift aims to satisfy market demands while also maximizing production efficiency. As a result, the traditional crops in home gardens are being threatened in many areas. Traditional resource management strategies, like agroforestry systems, offer opportunities to enhance livelihoods by enabling the concurrent production of food, fodder, and firewood, while also helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In India, a significant portion of the marginal and tribal population in both rural and urban areas rely on home gardening to meet their supplementary needs for medicine, food, vegetables, and economic stability. Manipur is mostly an agrarian State with sporadic small-scale enterprises. The economic influence of Manipur is predominantly dependent on the agricultural sector and most individuals in the state adhere to this system due to their limited land holdings, seeking to enhance the productivity of their home gardens by diversifying the range of plant species for the sustenance of their livelihood.
The State has a long history of nurturing plants around houses and on fields, and it is highly diverse and complex. One of the best places to grow trees is a home garden. Manipur's home garden, referred to locally as "Ingkhol," serves as a communal area designed for family-oriented socio-cultural activities. Its dimensions can range from symmetrical to asymmetrical and typically include elements such as Sangoi, Sumang, Pukhri, and Sangon in traditional home gardens. The layout of these home gardens emulates a subtropical forest, featuring four distinct layers: trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers. However, most parts of the state still practice the sustenance type of cultivation, i.e. Jhum Cultivation. Jhum cultivation has long been essential to Manipur's mountainous regions' agricultural and cultural fabric. The impact of jhum cultivation on health and the environment raises crucial considerations about sustainability and the delicate balance between tradition and conservation, even as it supports livelihoods and upholds long-standing customs. It serves as a means of survival and a cultural heritage transmitted through generations, enabling them to fulfil their fundamental food needs over the years. Consequently, while farmers gradually adapt to new technologies, the transition is not occurring rapidly. Many residents in the state encounter various challenges related to their home garden practices, primarily due to insufficient maintenance. Several significant problems encountered in home gardening are outlined below:
Space constraints: Many homesteads in Manipur have limited land area, which creates challenges for gardening. This constraint leads to a reduced diversity of plant species, ultimately resulting in lower yields. Such outcomes significantly impact the economic situation and livelihoods of the residents.
Insufficient soil preparation and minimal use of compost: The initial challenge occurs at the beginning of the gardening process. Before planting, it is essential to adequately prepare the soil, which involves incorporating compost or manure. This step establishes a nutrient-rich foundation that supports the long-term health of the plants. By enriching the soil, compost and manure restore essential nutrients that may have been depleted over time.
Issues associated with water management: Effective watering is crucial for maintaining plant health, yet it can be challenging to strike the right balance. Insufficient watering may result in wilting and hindered growth, whereas excessive watering can lead to root rot and other water-related problems. It must be tailored to meet the unique needs of our garden, enabling us to deliver an exact amount of water at the appropriate times.
Poor water drainage: Inadequate drainage in our soil and critical areas of our garden is a prevalent issue that can be expensive and may lead to increased water accumulation during the rainy season. To ensure effective drainage, excavating trenches for underground drainage pipes is essential, and grates should be installed to mitigate the risk of injury.
Pests and plant health issues: Numerous pests and diseases can afflict plants and devastate a garden. Insects that feed on vegetation, snails, moulds, and other invasive species can transform a vibrant garden into a damaged and unkempt space. Home gardening is often carried out without the assistance of additional labour, which increases the likelihood of pest and disease proliferation. Therefore, it is essential to implement proper maintenance practices to combat these threats to plants, utilizing appropriate insecticides or homemade and natural pest deterrents.
The proliferation and dissemination of weeds: Every garden inevitably encounters weeds, and their removal can require significant effort. Nonetheless, it is essential to eliminate them, as they can quickly dominate the planting area within a few months. Many of these weeds are non-native invasive species that deplete water and nutrients from the soil, ultimately obstructing plant growth and productivity.
Home gardens have been an integral component of family farming and local food systems for centuries. Home gardening is an ancient and widespread practice all over the world. The positive impacts of home gardens include addressing food insecurity and malnutrition, providing additional benefits such as income and livelihood opportunities for resource- poor families, and delivering several ecosystem services. The writers are from the Dept of Forestry, Manipur University