The Economic and Environmental Implications of the Indigenous Rice Cultivation Methods Practised in the Hills of Assam

Abstract

Hill terrain often restricts the use of farming methods commonly applied in plains, leading communities to retain locally adapted cultivation practices. This study documented indigenous rice cultivation methods in West Karbi Anglong district, Assam, and examined their economic and environmental implications. Primary data were collected through a field survey of 100 rice farmers, while secondary sources supported the environmental discussion. Farmers were classified according to indigenous, modern, or combined cultivation methods. Economic performance was examined using analysis of variance and cost-benefit analysis. Of the respondents, 31% used indigenous methods, 22% used modern methods, and 47% combined both approaches. Indigenous cultivation involved limited or no chemical fertiliser use, traditional tools and animal power, and the collective labour system known as aajir. Total output differed significantly among the three groups ( F2,97 = 8.457, p < 0.01). Modern-method farmers recorded the highest mean output; however, only 27.27% were profitable. By comparison, 90.32% of indigenous-method farmers and 68.1% of combined-method farmers were profitable. The findings indicate that higher output did not necessarily correspond to a greater likelihood of profitability, particularly where production costs varied across cultivation systems. Indigenous practices may reduce selected labour and fertiliser costs and may offer environmental benefits through reduced chemical inputs, fallowing, and minimum tillage, although these effects were not measured directly. Policies for hill agriculture should integrate locally appropriate technologies with indigenous knowledge and account for terrain, costs, labour availability, productivity, and environmental conditions.