Local land the blessing of North East

(Musing on Samir Bordoloi’s vision of Ecological Farming in North East)

Northeast India being richly blessed with natural land resources, the Government of India is promoting the whole region to grow organic food for the people of India. The youths could launch out as Agripreneurs to produce good food and sustain their livelihood through ecological farming practices. There is a greater need to give value to our land and grow healthy food.

Sustainable mode of production:
The harmful effects of the accelerated mode of production could be seen in terms of health problems among the consumers and degradation of the quality of soil which even has cost the lives of many farmers in many parts of the country. This same mistake should not be allowed to repeat in the name of Organic Food Production in the region. Therefore, in a very careful way, the farmers of the region have to play a crucial role in meeting the demands of the country while preventing the over-exploitation of natural resources and the beautiful nature.

Young People the future custodian of the natural resource:
When there is a vast land at the disposal of the people, some young people could take up ecological farming and become the custodian of the land. Some farm training will make them equipped to start off and get a sustainable livelihood opportunity. From earthworm to the dry leaves nature provides the best of manure to a farmer who knows about ecological farming. Thus without any expense, a farmer could thrive with the use of indigenous varieties of seeds and crops. The hospitable nature also provides a favourable ambience to promote farm, village tourism, and ethnic food tourism etc. thus leading to the overall growth of the region without exploiting the beautiful nature.

Indigenous people, Indigenous ownership: 
When the youth inherit back the indigenous wisdom of the land coupled with the skill of ecological farming, they can take lead and understand the potentiality of our beautiful region and design social enterprises based on our indigenous resources: the nutraceutical plants, local herbs and vegetables, different coloured rice varieties, beautiful villages, good soil, rivers, good air to breath in and people with hospitable nature are the future market potential assets. If the indigenous people do not give value to the land, there will be some other business communities who will get the free hand and control the natural resources in their own land.


Networking among the Agripreneurs:
The like-minded people could become agripreneurs, form social enterprises, get-trained and come together and grow healthy food and establish marketing collaborations with other parts of the country by branding NE food. This could double up income through Farm and Village tourism and establishing small-scale food processing units like the Community Enterprises for the betterment of the poor village farmers. This venture is to sustain the need and not the greed. The busy world still loves the simple village life and its food and that is the strength of the indigenous people.


Indigenous people keep your land, grow food for your children and think before you sale, mortgage or donate your land.






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