Arunachal Pradesh’s Indigenous Farming Offers Model for Climate Resilience
In the hill settlements of Kikrüma and the fertile plains of Ziro Valley, time-tested indigenous farming practices are offering powerful solutions to India’s escalating climate challenges. Developed by tribal communities in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, the Zabo and Apatani systems are holistic agricultural models that integrate water conservation, biodiversity, and food security. As India faces increasing water scarcity and erratic rainfall, these ancient systems provide replicable, low-cost alternatives to modern, input-heavy agriculture.
In Nagaland’s Kikrüma village, the Zabo system, rooted in the concept of “impounding water,” harvests rainwater through a series of desilting tanks connected to forest-fed catchments. This carefully filtered water then travels through livestock enclosures—absorbing natural nutrients—before irrigating downstream rice paddies and vegetable fields. Medicinal herbs and horticultural crops are cultivated along bunds, and fish are introduced into ponds to complete the nutrient cycle. The system is not merely a method of food production; it represents an integrated ecosystem where water, animals, forests, and agriculture work symbiotically. Practiced collectively by village members, the Zabo model shows how community-led institutions can manage scarce water resources efficiently. Experts note that such sustainable practices minimise chemical inputs and promote circular use of local materials, addressing both soil fertility and biodiversity conservation. In regions vulnerable to water stress, Zabo’s closed-loop design stands out
Meanwhile, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley, the Apatani farming system combines rice cultivation with aquaculture in permanent, terraced paddy fields irrigated by a bamboo-based channel network. As rice is transplanted, farmers introduce fish into the paddies—enhancing soil health, reducing pests, and improving food diversity. Organic household waste and compost from livestock are used as fertiliser, while nitrogen-fixing plants like azolla enrich the soil naturally. Vegetables, pulses, and millet are grown on bunds, ensuring year-round food supply without synthetic chemicals. This method is notable not just for its productivity, but for its socio-cultural grounding: maintenance of the system remains a communal responsibility, coordinated by village councils. Authorities highlight how the Apatani approach conserves water, regenerates soil, and supports biodiversity while delivering high returns on minimal external inputs. With increasing recognition from sustainability researchers, the Apatani model demonstrates that indigenous systems can offer high-efficiency farming amid climate instability.
The Zabo and Apatani systems exemplify how indigenous knowledge can meet modern sustainability goals without large-scale industrial intervention. Experts suggest these approaches offer scalable lessons for water conservation, organic farming, and climate resilience. Unlike industrial monocultures, these models rely on resource circularity, community participation, and respect for ecological balance. As India confronts agricultural uncertainty and ecological decline, revaluing such grassroots solutions could be key to building a resilient future. These systems are not just about growing food—they reflect a relationship with the land rooted in harmony and interdependence. For future farming, looking back may just be the way forward.
