The people of Gorakhpur district, UP, have come to expect heavy rains followed by long dry spells as a consequence of climate change. But they are no longer allowing climate change to affect their crops. At shared learning dialogues, they are learning about the benefits of multi-cropping, alternative farming, soil management and seed autonomy. Surekha Sule reports.

In mid-altitude of the North Eastern Hill (NEH) region of India, a second crop of rice following the harvest of main kharif (July to mid-November) rice is not possible due to early onset of low temperature (

Though the green revolution enabled India to attain food security, the technologies, subsidies and public support systems failed to address the problems of small-scale dryland agriculture. Diversified farming, being more economically and ecologically resilient, can reduce risk.

Adding various components on to a farm and integrating them has helped small farmers in Tamil Nadu reap rich harvests. The bio intensive farm models promoted by the Department of Science and Technology and based on agro-ecosystem principles, have resulted in a sustainable farm production and livelihoods.

This paper examines the composition of traditional food crops among the different tribal communities and the method of sustainable food crop production. Three tribal communities, inhabiting seven villages in Orissa, India were studied. A structured questionnaire was administered to elicit information in the areas of crop mixtures and reasons for such mixtures.

Mountain communities have been adapting to changing environment for a long time. Traditional farming methods depending on recycling of available natural resources is the key to sustainable production systems. Local marketing systems have also played a vital role in reducing the emissions and food miles.

In order to sustain and promote the economy of livestock sector as complimentary component, fodder-based feeding strategies provide ample opportunities for economising the economic productivity. A vast array of forage species are grown under varying management situations in different agro-ecological regions. April 2008

Traditional farming practices have been developed by agrarian societies in particular ecological setting. Sustainability in these systems has been derived after a long tenure through trial and error with crops and practices. Most of the practices of traditional farmers for disease management in developing countries consist of cultural control. Some of the traditional practices of practical importance adopted by the farmers of semiarid and arid Rajasthan which include districts of Barmer, Jodhpur, Pali and Jaipur are discussed in this paper. Dec 2007