ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the implementation and outcomes of Sloping Agriculture Land Technology (SALT) in Meghalaya, a hilly state in Northeast India facing severe land degradation due to traditional farming methods such as Jhum cultivation and monoculture plantations. These unsustainable practices have led to extensive soil erosion, nutrient depletion and declining agricultural productivity, prompting the need for viable, eco-friendly alternatives. The study focuses specifically on SALT as a sustainable agroforestry-based solution tailored to sloping terrains, aiming to restore soil health and improve rural livelihoods.
The research addresses the question: Can SALT provide a scalable and sustainable method to counteract environmental degradation while also enhancing food security and economic resilience in indigenous farming communities? The urgency of this inquiry lies in the ecological vulnerability of Meghalaya's hills, coupled with socio-economic challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
Methodologically, the study employs a multi-site case study approach across East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills. It combines soil testing, farm surveys and comparative analysis of historical and contemporary data. Key interventions included the establishment of nitrogen-fixing contour hedgerows, integrated crop cultivation and farmer capacity building. Field implementation involved structured training, input support and monitoring.
The findings reveal that SALT practices significantly reduce soil erosion and improve key soil parameters – pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon – leading to enhanced crop yields and farm diversification. Case studies of three farmers demonstrate measurable improvements in soil quality and productivity. Despite initial barriers such as labour intensity and financial constraints, SALT proved adaptable and replicable, especially with institutional support.
The study underscores the broader significance of SALT as a replicable model for climate-resilient agriculture in hilly regions. It contributes to sustainable land management discourse by demonstrating how community-led interventions, grounded in both indigenous knowledge and scientific methods, can reverse land degradation. Policy implications include the need for sustained training, financial incentives and integration of SALT into government rural development programmes. Ultimately, the chapter affirms that SALT is not only a viable ecological solution but also a transformative strategy for enhancing productivity in fragile upland ecosystems.
