Assessing Agricultural Sustainability And Environmental Impacts: A Case Study Of Crop Diversification In Tenga River Basin, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Crop diversification is crucial for the agricultural development of any region, as it involves allocating acreage among various crops. This study investigates cropping intensity and patterns in the Tenga River Basin of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, utilizing primary data collected from 361 farmers through simple random sampling. Two indices, namely the Simpson Index and the Index of Diversification towards High Value Crops (DHVC), are employed to assess the level of crop diversification. The research identifies significant changes in cropping intensity between 2014 and 2024, ranging from 116.94% to 145.49%, with the most substantial increase observed in Rupa Circle from 118.04% to 154.05%. The findings, based on the Simpson Index and DHVC, highlight substantial diversification toward high-value cash crops in the central part of the study area, encompassing Shergaon, Rupa, Bomdila, and Singchung Circles, resulting in increased income for farmers. However, the altered cropping patterns have led to adverse environmental consequences, such as declining soil fertility, forest cover loss and water quality deterioration, posing threats to fish habitats and impacting farmers' health. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive policy that addresses soil fertility management, agricultural diversification, the reinforcement of extension services and the promotion of agritourism to mitigate these challenges.