Food Security under shifting cultivation in steeply sloped regions of Northeast India.

Background and research questions:
Shifting cultivation was an economically and ecologically efficient agricultural practice in north-eastern India when village population densities were low, and the fallow abandonment period matched or exceeded the time necessary for full recovery of the sites. However, fallow periods have been shortening from 2 to 3 decades down to 0–5 years across south Asia and elsewhere as rural populations have increased (Grogan et al 2012). The consequences of these changes in shifting cultivation are lowered soil fertility, increased soil erosion losses and reduced annual crop yields. Therefore, shifting cultivation has since become widely perceived as a primitive and economically inefficient form of agricultural production. This perception has been central to land use management and policy development in many affected regions (Garbyal, 1999).
Here, we focus on the distinctive features of shifting agriculture in steeply sloped regions in the Mizoram state in north-eastern India, where at least 70% of the state’s total land area is sloped at angles steeper than 33%. Approximately half of all households in Mizoram are engaged in shifting cultivation, primarily in relatively undeveloped remote villages. Shifting cultivation continues to evolve after many centuries and, despites decades of contrasting land policies in the area, it is still being practised by the majority of Mizoram’s population as the primary source of food. The involvement and interaction of policy-makers, scientists and farmers is therefore crucial in formulating any future policy that targets shifting cultivation; care should be taken to ensure: (1) benefits the overall society; (2) cost effectiveness; (3) dissemination of knowledge to farmers; (4) suitability to the physiography of the state and (5) use of high-yielding rain-fed crops.
In this project we aim to provide realistic, feasible and economically viable improvements or alternatives to shifting cultivation. This will be achieved by incorporating and integrating ecological and social components to improve food security in remote regions of India.
In recent years, several potential options for improving shifting cultivation practices on steeply sloped lands have been proposed for the Mizoram state (Grogan et al., 2012). The proposed project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a selection of the proposed options using a combination of direct measurements, modelling and socio-economic approach. In particular, we aim to tackle the following scientific questions:
1) How do local site factors such as slope, soil-type and climate influence soil nutrients and crop growth in this region?
2) What is the optimum mix of crop species to maximise subsistence and economic yields on steeply sloped shifting cultivation sites?
3) What ground-cover species would be appropriate for planting after cropping to protect the soils against subsequent erosional losses?
A vast dataset has been already collected in the area by our partners at the University of Mizoram; this include measurements on soil chemical characteristics, roots and microbial biomass as well as yields of several plantations (e.g. Oil Palm, Bamboo, Rubber). Measurements are still ongoing and will contribute to the proposed project.
Aims/Objectives:
1) To determine a full assessment of the impacts of steep slopes on soil quality and soil erosion, in order to derive a more accurate assessment of land management options.
2) To assess the role of different crop species on both soil carbon accumulation and crop yields.
3) To use a model based approach to better understand the process based variables driving soil carbon accumulation in shifting agriculture in North east India.
The main outcome of this project will be a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of this type of land use and land management with particular focus on enhancing food security and soil fertility.
Research training at the University of Aberdeen is overseen by a dedicated Graduate School to ensure students receive both research-specific and generic skills training for future employment in research and other industries. It provides high-quality postgraduate training within a research-focussed environment and offers a range of workshops /seminars to encourage PhD students to participate in the wither research culture of the University.
The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to spend time researching in India with our partner institutions in Mizoram.