Prioritizing challenges of Jhumias: A study on Jhum cultivation in Tripura

Introduction

Jhum cultivation, also known as shifting cultivation, is one of the oldest traditional farming practices followed by tribal communities across North-East India, particularly in the hilly regions of Tripura. For generations, it has remained the main livelihood source and a vital part of the socio-cultural identity of tribal farmers (Ramakrishnan, 1992) [4] . The system involves clearing forest patches, burning vegetation, and cultivating crops for a few years before moving to a new site to allow natural regeneration. Earlier, the long fallow periods made this system sustainable; however, rapid population growth and limited availability of cultivable land have led to a drastic reduction in the Jhum cycle, resulting in declining soil fertility and productivity (Borthakur, 2007) [1] . In Tripura, Jhum cultivation continues to be significant, especially in the hilly subdivisions of Gomati and Dhalai districts. Despite several government efforts to promote settled agriculture, Jhuming persists due to its low cost, minimal risk, and cultural attachment among the Jhumias (Tripura Tribal Research and Cultural Institute, 2018) [5] . The practice now poses environmental challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity (Singh & Singh, 2006) [6] . Therefore, understanding the major problems and perceptions of Jhum cultivators is crucial for designing effective interventions. The present study aims to analyze these issues and prioritize them using the Garrett Ranking Technique (Garrett, 1969) [3] to help in formulating targeted policies and sustainable alternatives for the livelihood improvement of Jhum farmers in Tripura.

Methodology

The study was conducted to analyze the major problems faced by Jhum cultivators (Jhumias) in Gomati district of Tripura. Three subdivisions-Udaipur, Amarpur, and Karbook-were selected, covering six blocks: Matabari, Killa, Kakrabon, Amarpur, Ompi, and Silchari, where Jhum cultivation is widely practiced.

Data Collection

Primary data were collected through personal interviews with Jhum cultivators using a structured questionnaire. The questions focused on issues such as shrinking Jhum cycles, crop productivity, land availability, use of inputs, and farmers' attitudes toward Jhuming. Secondary data were also gathered from government reports and related studies for background information.

Sampling and Analysis

A purposive sampling method was adopted to select representative Jhumia households from each block. The data collected were analyzed using percentage analysis to determine the frequency of responses. To prioritize the problems according to their severity, the Garrett Ranking Technique (Garrett, 1969) [3] was employed. This statistical tool helped in converting the farmers' rankings into scores and identifying the most critical issues affecting them. The findings were interpreted to highlight key challenges and suggest measures for improving the livelihood and sustainability of Jhum cultivators in Tripura.

Results and Analysis

The major problems faced by Jhum cultivators in Gomati district of Tripura are presented in Tables 1,2, and 3, and the prominent results indicate that a) 85 to 100 per cent farmers in different blocks opined that shrinkage of Jhum cycle had led to low productivity of crops under Jhuming. And it was mainly attributed to increase in Jhumia population. b) Nearly 90 to 93 per cent respondents considered Jhum cultivation as their identity and tradition across the blocks, for which they were little reluctant to leave the age-old practice and take up settled cultivation. c) Only a small segment of Jhum farmers i.e. 8 to 10 per cent were not aware of the harmful effect of Jhum cultivation on the flora and fauna of the locality. d) Around 5to 20 percent farmers were of the opinion that they were continuing with the Jhum cultivation due to nonavailability of plain land. e) There was no instance of using HYV seeds by the Jhumias. f) Almost all the respondents, i.e, 90 to100 percent considered Jhum cultivation as the least risky method of cultivation. Jhumia feels that it is the least risky method of cultivation 95 7 87 13 Source: Primary data. The Garret rankings for the problems of Jhumias It is clear from the table that the Garret ranking for the problems confronted by the Jhum cultivators were worked out and presented in Table 4 to draw inference on the magnitude of the problems. Lower rank indicated higher intensity of the problems as given Garrett ranking that 1) Jhumias were not at all using HYV seeds and hence it ranked 1, in the problem list.

2) The Jhumias also considered the practice as the least risky method of cultivation for which they wanted to continue with the Jhum cultivation. This attitude of Jhumia's was the 2 nd severe problem with rank 2. 3) Shrinkage of Jhum cycle led to low productivity of crops grown under Jhuming was the third severe problem with rank 3.

4) Shrinkage of Jhum cycle was due to increase in Jhumia population was ranked 4. 5) The fifth ranked problem with the Jhumias was that they were not ready to leave the practice of Jhum cultivation as majority of them considered Jhuming as their identity or tradition. 6) Non-availability of plain land to go ahead with settled cultivation was identified as yet another problem with rank 6 7) The seventh important problem faced by the Jhumias was that they did not even realize the fact that this method of cultivation could destroy the flora and fauna of the State. The study identified and ranked the major problems faced by Jhum cultivators in Gomati district through field surveys and data analysis using the Garrett Ranking Technique. The findings revealed that the non-use of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds was the most severe problem, followed by the perception of Jhuming as the least risky method of cultivation, and the shrinkage of the Jhum cycle leading to reduced productivity. These results are consistent with earlier studies highlighting that lack of improved agricultural inputs and population pressure are major causes of low productivity in shifting cultivation systems (Borthakur, 2007; Ramakrishnan, 1992) [1,4] . Further, about 90-93% of the respondents considered Jhum cultivation as part of their cultural identity, showing strong emotional and traditional attachment to the practice (Tripura Tribal Research and Cultural Institute, 2018) [5] . This finding aligns with Nongkynrih and Brahma (2014) [7] , who emphasized that cultural factors often outweigh economic incentives when farmers make decisions about continuing Jhuming. Additionally, limited availability of plain land and the farmers' limited awareness about the environmental consequences of Jhum cultivation were found to aggravate the problem. Similar observations were made by Chambers and Conway (1992) [2] , who suggested that livelihood security must consider both ecological and socio-cultural contexts.

Overall, the results suggest that improving productivity alone may not be sufficient; awareness creation, capacity building, and cultural sensitivity must be integrated into policy planning.

Conclusion

The study reveals that Jhum cultivation continues to be a deeply rooted livelihood practice and cultural identity among the tribal farmers of Tripura, despite its declining productivity and ecological consequences. The findings highlight that the major problems faced by the Jhumias include the non-use of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, perception of Jhuming as the least risky farming method, and the shrinkage of the Jhum cycle due to population pressure. These issues have led to reduced crop yields, soil degradation, and unsustainable land use patterns. Furthermore, the strong traditional attachment to Jhum cultivation and lack of awareness about its environmental impacts pose significant challenges to promoting settled and modern agricultural systems. Limited availability of plain land and scarce government resources further restrict the transition to alternative livelihoods. Therefore, it is essential to design integrated strategies that combine awareness generation, improved agricultural inputs, skill development, and community participation. Policy measures should focus on providing technical guidance, land management support, and incentives for adopting sustainable farming practices. Only through such inclusive and participatory approaches can the economic wellbeing of Jhumias be improved while ensuring ecological balance and sustainable rural development in Tripura.

References

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2. Chambers R, Conway G. Sustainable rural livelihoods: Practical concepts for the 21st century. IDS Discussion Paper 296. Institute of Development Studies; 1992.
3. Garrett HE. Statistics in psychology and education. New York: David McKay Company Inc; 1969.
4. Ramakrishnan PS. Shifting agriculture and sustainable development: An interdisciplinary study from NorthEastern India. UNESCO-MAB Series. Parthenon Publishing Group; 1992.
5. Tripura Tribal Research and Cultural Institute. Status of shifting cultivation in Tripura: Problems and prospects. Government of Tripura; 2018.
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7. Nongkynrih AK, Brahma B. Shifting cultivation in Northeast India: Policy implications and options. Journal of Human Ecology. 2014;48(1):93-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2014.11906775