AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BRAHMAPUTRA FLOODPLAINS: CHALLENGES, PRACTICES, AND POLICY PATHWAYS

Despite the fact that agriculture is the major source of livelihood in rural areas of Brahmaputra floodplain of Assam, environmental variability, frequent floods and socio economic factors are posing serious problems for sustainability. This chapter reviews agro ecological contexts, important sustainability issues, adaptation practices that have been applied by local communities and the importance of the policy frameworks in influencing agriculture outcomes. The discussion, based on empirical studies in Assam and other parts of India and on official reports on sustainable agriculture and flood resilience, outlines some of the future avenues for increasing resilience, productivity and ecological well-being. The key strategies highlighted include implementing climate smart farming techniques, integrated watershed management, crop diversification, and providing institutional assistance to smallholder farmers, especially women farmers. The chapter provides concrete recommendations for reaching the goal of sustainable agriculture in one of the most dynamic and sensitive agro ecosystems in India, by making a connection between local knowledge systems and policy interventions and sustainable practices.