State specific crop/animal species for higher productivity in NE

Angad Prasad, Indira Sarangthem and Daya Ram
Contd from previous issue
Although, rice is the major crop of the State and cultivated in 91 per cent of the cropped area, but only two major crop/farm component have been indicated herein to suffice the purpose of writing the article:
6.1 Rubber:
Tripura is the second largest rubber producer in India after Kerala with 72,000 hectares of land under plantation, producing 40,000 tonnes of rubber annually. Tripura’s annual turnover from rubber cultivation is about Rs. 480 crore. India’s second industrial rubber park has come up in Tripura’s Bodhungnagar area to boost the polymer industry. The park, a joint venture between the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation and the Rubber Board, is the second of its kind in the country after the rubber park in Kerala’s Irapuram. To increase the livelihood of poor people and small holders, rubber can be cultivated with tea, pineapple, banana and other crops.
Nearly 450 plants can be planted in one ha. Average yield per rubber tree is 9.52 kg. The total yield from the plantation is approximately 4284 kg (from 450 plants). Income from the plantation is Rs 2, 57,040.00. Profit generated in the 7th year of planting is (Rs, 2, 57,040 – Rs. 1, 06,754.00) = Rs 1, 50,286.00. From a rubber plant, long term (25 years) continuous return can be obtained. There are less pest and disease incidences, therefore, it may be one of the best sources of livelihood in the State of Tripura.
6.2 Fisheries:
More than ninety five percent people of Tripura are fish eater. The fishery resources of Tripura are diverse in the form of ponds, lakes, mini-barrages, reservoirs, rivers etc. Generally, a minimum of Rs. 50,000 per acre (excluding the price of land) of capital investment is required to complete a pond for stocking. Despite available resources, the State has a long way to go to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production.
As per the statistics of the Department of Fisheries, Tripura, an area of 23,477 ha presently being utilized for fish production, which is insufficient to meet the demands. Importing fish of about 11,886 tons a year from other states, mainly Andhra Pradesh and even from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, indicated the large demand-supply gap. The per capita gap between fish production and consumption of 3.26 kg every year has presented a unique opportunity for the State as well as entrepreneurs to develop fish farming and improve the livelihoods of fish farmers.
Aquaculture is more women friendly and several of the activities like fertilization, feeding, marketing of fish etc. are best done and managed by women. This is an area where major changes can be brought to farming by involving and empowering women on a massive scale.
7. NAGALAND
Nagaland a state in north eastern India is bordered by the state of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, AQssam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. Nagaland’s capital city is Kohima and its largest city is Dimapur. It has an area of 16,579 km2 with a population of 1,980,602 as per the 2011 Census of India, making it one of the smallest states of India. Viewing the agro-climatic conditions, cultural pattern and demand of the day, following two farm produce are discussed here for attracting rural youth and adopt these activities to make them as a source of livelihood:
7.1 Pig:
Animal husbandry is a tradition with the Nagas and therefore, rearing domestic animals such as cattle, mithun, pig and poultry birds play a significant role in the socio-economic development of the Nagas. The State is largely agrarian and backyard pig keeping is an integral part of Naga livelihoods and culture. Pigs account for more than 55 per cent of the total livestock population in the area and the State has the highest per capita consumption of pork in India. Pig farmers in Naga tend to use a cropping system to raise pigs. Since many producers do not have easy access to veterinary care, they rely on traditional management practices and indigenous tribal knowledge (ITK) to raise pigs.
(To be contd)