A recent study by Nagaland University has highlighted that local farmer engagement plays a vital role in successful water resource management. The findings point to the need for deeper community participation and grassroots leadership in handling agricultural water usage, especially in ecologically sensitive zones of the Northeast.
The research, conducted over 18 months across three districts—Kohima, Phek, and Wokha—looked at farmer behavior, traditional irrigation methods, and community-led water-sharing models. According to the study, solutions rooted in local knowledge yield more lasting impact than top-down schemes.
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Study Shows Strength of Community Water Practices
Led by Dr. Vichukhozo Belho from the Department of Environmental Science, the study observed that traditional systems such as Zabo farming and Apatani water management methods are still in use. However, these practices often get sidelined during modern project planning.
Key findings include:
- Higher crop yield consistency in areas with organized farmer committees
- Better maintenance of water sources when local farmers lead the process
- Less dependence on external irrigation systems when communities follow traditional storage methods
- Increased awareness of water conservation in villages with ongoing training programs
Dr. Belho noted, “When farmers take the lead, results are more stable and culturally adapted.”
Policy Gaps Highlighted in the Study
The researchers also pointed out that state and central schemes sometimes fail due to a lack of community involvement. Many government-funded water management projects, though well-funded, suffer from low adoption rates in rural Nagaland.
The study recommends:
- Integrating local leaders in project planning
- Providing incentives to village groups for maintaining check dams and ponds
- Developing flexible models that incorporate indigenous techniques
- Organizing seasonal farmer workshops to update practices
The team also suggests that officials consider localized data and climate patterns rather than applying uniform methods across the state.
Towards a Sustainable Water Future
This report comes at a time when several districts in Nagaland have experienced unpredictable rainfall and water scarcity. Farmers often face crop failures due to delayed adaptation measures. The local farmer engagement model provides a low-cost, high-trust solution to this growing problem.
Local NGOs and agricultural extension workers have also voiced support for the study’s recommendations. They believe that reviving community irrigation councils could be the turning point in Nagaland’s farming future.
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