ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about multiple challenges of loss, degradation and marginalisation of the inter-generational livelihood practising system of indigenous communities amidst rising capitalist economies; and suggests alternative through coping and survival strategies that influence livelihood diversification. This includes attitude, knowledge, persuasion, decision making, planning and implementation, through which modern farming practices can be integrated with indigenous system for a sustainable farming. The chapter explores such alternative coping strategies and adaptation practices of the farmers in Assam with special reference to five major traditional livelihood practices such as rice cultivation, homestead gardens, sericulture, Sasi tree plantation and small tea cultivation among two major plain tribes of the state. It strongly argues that an alternative strategy needs to be designed not as a combination of market and state alone but with the third element ‘community’, as it has a critical role to correct business and state deficiencies to foster a balanced and sustainable economy.
