(a) whether there is a difference between cultivation in plain and hilly areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken any decision to formulate a policy keeping in view the difficulties of cultivation in hilly areas; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): Yes, Madam. In hill areas mainly contour farming is adopted. The varieties
of crops grown in hills are different from the ones cultivated in the plains. Most of the farm
operations in hills are done manually against substantial use of farm machines in the plains.
Farming system in hills is generally a combination of farm related activities like cropping
husbandry production, livestock, poultry, fisheries, forestry, Pastoral, Silviculture system,
horticulture etc.
Horticulture is inherently more suitable for the hills. A Centrally sponsored scheme of
`Horticulture Mission for North - East & Himalayan States (HMNEH) known as Technology Mission
for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North Eastern States including Sikkim (TMNE) is
being implemented by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation for holistic development of
Horticulture in the region.
Another programme on - Special Central Assistance to state plan schemes of Watershed
Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA) is being implemented with a view
to protect hill slopes for encouraging settled cultivation and to improve socio economic status
of jhumia families in the States of NorthEastern Region.