Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, August 05:
An alternative for the age old occupation of jhum cultivation, which according to its proponent is the best substitute has made its maiden appearance here, under the initiative of BADOM an NGO.
Labelled as Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), the unconventional farming method was advocated to more than a hundred participants who have attended the 2 days workshop under the sponsorship of CAPART-NEZ at Kingkin village Community Hall.
SALT according to experts, is a land management technology which integrates several soil conservation measures and enhanced crop production.
The basic technology involved here will be planting of Nitrogen Fixing Plants (NFP) along the contour lines of the filed.
This will fertilise the land and check soil erosion for a minimum of twenty years.
According Paojalen Haokip, secretary of BADOM, the first and only implementing agency of SAL technology in the state, replicating the technology in the hill areas is the only substitute the inefficient shifting cultivation.