Abstract ID: 3.13724 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

Agrobiodiversity plays a vital role in sustaining the livelihoods of rural communities in the Himalayan mountain region. This presentation examines how traditional agricultural practices, deeply rooted in biodiversity conservation, contribute to food security, economic resilience, and adaptation to climate change. The study is based on a preliminary survey of traditional agricultural practices among the Apatani and Nyishi tribes living in the rural areas of Lower Subansiri and Kamle districts of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. Field observations, questionnaire surveys, and market surveys were conducted to gather data. Additionally, information on the agro-horticultural profile of these districts was collected from relevant line departments through physical visits and official department websites. The study highlights the remarkable richness of agrobiodiversity, encompassing domesticated and semi-domesticated crops, livestock, and useful wild plant species. Due to their remote locations with limited transportation facilities, local agrobiodiversity meets the majority of the village population’s needs for food, nutrition, construction materials, arts, crafts, and socio-cultural practices. Besides staple food crops like paddy, maize and millets, several horticultural and cash crops, including orange, pineapple, large cardamom, banana, and vegetables like cabbage, mustard greens, chili, ginger, soybean, and turmeric, are cultivated commercially, enhancing the livelihoods of local farmers. However, agrobiodiversity faces increasing threats from market-driven monocultures, loss of indigenous knowledge, outmigration to urban areas and climate-induced environmental changes. The gradual transition of food production systems into commercial plantations endangers natural vegetation, indigenous crop diversity, and food security. Therefore, there is a need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, to promote agrobiodiversity-based livelihoods with an emphasis on traditional crops for climate resilience. Addressing policy gaps and financial constraints is crucial to fostering resilient food systems. By prioritizing biodiversity-rich agricultural practices, rural communities in the Eastern Himalaya can secure a more sustainable and adaptive future.