Agroforestry initiatives involving high-value tree species such as agarwood could provide a sustainable alternative to traditional shifting cultivation (jhum) in Nagaland, Principal Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Y Kikheto Sema said.
Sema made the remarks during a visit by a delegation of eight officers from the department to the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI) in Jorhat, Assam on March 6 to explore avenues for scientific collaboration in sustainable forest management and improved cultivation techniques of economically important tree species.
The delegation held detailed discussions with RFRI Director Dr Nitin Kulkarni and scientists of the institute, which functions under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and is mandated to undertake forestry research and extension activities across northeastern India.
During the interaction, Sema highlighted the need to promote agroforestry in the state, noting that traditional jhum cultivation is increasingly posing ecological and economic challenges.
Referring to unemployment and livelihood concerns in the state, he said appropriate agroforestry interventions could offer sustainable and economically viable alternatives for farmers.
Citing the rich agarwood resources in Nagaland, Sema said the species holds immense commercial potential as almost every part of the plant can be put to economic use.
He also noted that the state government is working towards developing a comprehensive policy framework for conservation and promotion of agarwood cultivation and trade in Nagaland.
Sema pointed out that while neighbouring states such as Assam and Tripura are making rapid progress in agarwood cultivation, Nagaland should not fall behind due to lack of policy support and technical interventions.
He further noted that nearly 70 percent of Nagaland’s population depends on farming, making it important to create sustainable economic opportunities.
At the same time, he said shifting cultivation is gradually becoming economically unviable and ecologically unsustainable, contributing to forest degradation.
According to the India State of Forest Report, about 800 square kilometres of forest cover were lost in Nagaland between 2013 and 2023.
In contrast, Sema said agarwood cultivation could offer significantly higher economic returns within a period of about 10 years compared to traditional jhum cultivation, creating livelihood opportunities particularly for rural youth.
Promotion of agarwood and other agroforestry initiatives, he added, could help enhance farmers’ incomes, strengthen the rural economy and generate employment in the state.