Shillong, June 23: A global study has revealed that indigenous communities in Meghalaya are quietly nurturing some of the world’s most resilient and ecologically sustainable food systems.

Conducted by The Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty (TIP), the study examined agroecological practices across 16 Indigenous landscapes in India, Thailand, Kenya, and Mexico.

The coordinator of this global study is Gratia Dkhar, a senior associate at NESFAS, and belongs to the Jaintia and Karbi tribes.

The assessment in Meghalaya covered four communities—Darechikgre (Garo), Dewlieh and Umsawwar (Khasi), and Plasha (Karbi)—representing a diversity of farming practices including shifting cultivation (jhum), bun farming (raised-bed cultivation), and forest-integrated agroforestry. Together, they reflect a rich mosaic of ecological adaptation, where agriculture, spirituality, and governance are intimately connected.

The findings underscore that Meghalaya’s food systems are deeply anchored in biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Households across the study sites collectively harvested more than 145 types of food from cultivated fields, forests, home gardens, streams, and grasslands. These included everything from tubers and millet to wild edibles and herbal medicines. In most sites, farming was carried out with minimal external inputs. Communities relied on soil fertility regeneration through fallowing, organic matter, and biomass burning, while pesticide use was virtually non-existent. Crop diversity remained high, with a mix of cereals, legumes, leafy greens, fruits, and medicinal plants cultivated across different seasons.

The agroecological performance of these communities was quantified using the TAPE-IP framework (Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation – Indigenous Peoples), which assessed food systems across key elements, including diversity, resilience, efficiency, knowledge sharing, social values, and governance. Among the four sites, Plasha emerged with the highest agroecological transition score, reflecting its strong local innovation and conservation ethics. In Darechikgre, it was not only diversified cash crops that resulted in productivity, but these activities also complemented the existing traditional systems and practices. Hence, productivity was high. Umsawwar stood out for its sustainable bun cultivation system and continued practice of wild foraging.

In contrast, Dewlieh recorded the lowest agroecological transition score, largely due to insecure land tenure and lack of supportive governance structures. This disparity within Meghalaya underscores the need for context-specific interventions and recognition of Indigenous land rights.

Meghalaya’s data revealed that human and social values stood out. The Khasi and Garo communities follow matrilineal traditions, where lineage, inheritance, and often land rights are passed through women. Women farmers play central roles in seed saving, weeding, and processing of food and wild produce. In Plasha, the study noted growing participation of youth in agriculture, often linked to state programs like the Organic Mission.

The study also placed strong emphasis on Indigenous storytelling. Through facilitated sessions, elders and community members shared narratives that shed light on the spiritual, ethical, and ecological foundations of their food systems. These stories highlighted practices such as ritual sowing, communal taboos on over-harvesting, and sacred groves that double as biodiversity reservoirs. They revealed that in these communities, agriculture is not just about productivity but about harmony—with land, ancestors, and the larger ecological community.

In global comparison, Meghalaya fared exceptionally well. While communities in Mexico and Thailand also demonstrated strong agroecological performance, Meghalaya’s systems stood out for their minimal reliance on external inputs, strong gender inclusion, and resilient landscape-level governance. In Kenya, where forest access for the Ogiek Peoples has been restricted, food systems have had to shift dramatically from foraging to settled farming. Despite these adaptations, their scores highlighted resilience but also exposed systemic vulnerability.

” This study enabled us to gain a clearer understanding of the strengths of our food system and scientifically assess its potential” Pius Ranee Executive Director at NESFAS said.

He said the study also highlighted critical areas requiring further attention. “For instance, while human and social values form the foundation of resilient food systems, they have often been overlooked” he said.

” This insight presents an opportunity for deep regeneration and encourages us to adopt a more holistic approach to strengthening our food systems” Ranee added.

The report calls for urgent policy support to sustain these thriving Indigenous systems. Recommendations include securing customary land tenure, investing in local value chains, and recognizing the role of traditional knowledge in national food security frameworks. It also urges state agencies to engage with Indigenous youth and community elders to co-design future food policies.

Also Read: Meghalaya releases 1st instalment of Post-Matric ST Scholarship; 66,000 students receive payment

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