(Agriculture & Environment – Shifting Cultivation and Climate Resilience)
The Fostering Climate-resilient Upland Farming Systems (FOCUS) project aims to address the challenges of unsustainable jhum (shifting cultivation) in the hilly regions of Mizoram and Nagaland, where over 60% of food grain cultivation is still practiced under the jhum system.
Background:
Jhum cultivation has traditionally supported rural communities in the North-East by providing food, fibre, and energy.
However, rising population, climate change, soil degradation, topsoil erosion, and the drive for high-value cash crops have made jhum ecologically and economically unsustainable.
Key Objectives of the FOCUS Project:
- Improve Jhum Practices:
Make jhum more productive and sustainable.
Enhance climate resilience and ecological balance.
Raise incomes through better yields.
- Promote Settled Agriculture:
Help jhumia households transition to alternative farming systems, particularly settled and terraced farming.
- Market Access & Value Chains:
Strengthen market linkages and value chain development to support market-oriented production.
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