Tuensang Longra

Jhum is a method of slash and burn of the forest land for agriculture. This practice is seen across the North eastern region of india and this not only harm the environment but is not sustainable due to the uncontrolled increase in population. ECS as a development agency has over the years worked on enhancing livelihood. As part of the strategy, the organisation has actively engaged in providing options which provide alternative that is viable and sustainable. Secondly, the idea in universalising positive outcomes engages everyone in the community and this in a sense provides equal opportunity for both the rich and poor. Here in this clip the intervention began with introduction of SRI(System of Rice intensification) in the wet fields of Longra village in Nagaland and gradually engaged the community into other livelihood activities. The income generated began to impact the household food security level and in due course the farmers began to realise that Jhum was labour intensive and harvest was less and at times unpredictable. Simultaneously, ECS also began work on health and sanitation and the savings from good health also began to pay dividends. Because every penny saved is a penny earned.In just four years the village decided on giving up jhum. This story is about the collective effort by a community engaged in devising their own design for survival.