Agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh: Crops, Jhum Cultivation, Horticulture & Farming Systems
The agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh is closely shaped by the state's mountainous terrain, heavy monsoon rainfall, varied climate, acidic hill soils and remarkable differences in altitude. Farming ranges from traditional jhum or shifting cultivation on hill slopes to permanent wet-rice cultivation in valleys, terrace farming, horticulture, integrated rice-fish farming and increasingly market-oriented fruit and spice cultivation.
Rice is the principal food crop, while maize, millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, tuber crops and spices are also important. Arunachal Pradesh is additionally known for horticultural crops such as kiwi, mandarin orange, apple, pineapple, banana, walnut and large cardamom.
Agricultural patterns vary sharply according to relief and elevation. This relationship becomes clearer when studied alongside the physiography of Arunachal Pradesh , where high mountains, dissected slopes, river valleys, foothills and small lowland areas create very different farming environments.
- Agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh at a Glance
- Physical Basis of Agriculture
- Major Farming Systems
- Jhum or Shifting Cultivation
- How Jhum Cultivation Works
- Crops Grown in Jhum Fields
- Advantages & Challenges of Jhum
- Permanent & Terrace Farming
- Apatani Wet-Rice and Rice-Fish Farming
- Major Crops of Arunachal Pradesh
- Rice Cultivation
- Maize, Millets & Other Cereals
- Pulses & Oilseeds
- Spices, Tubers & Commercial Crops
- Horticulture in Arunachal Pradesh
- Altitudinal Agricultural Zones
- Organic & Low-Input Farming
- Irrigation & Water Management
- Integrated Farming Systems
- GI & Distinctive Agricultural Products
- Problems of Agriculture
- Agricultural Development & Future Potential
- Agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh for APPSC
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Read More from AAMMNEST
Agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh at a Glance
| Feature | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Nature of Agriculture | Predominantly small-scale, rainfed and hill agriculture |
| Principal Food Crop | Rice |
| Other Major Cereals | Maize, millets, wheat and buckwheat in suitable areas |
| Traditional Farming System | Jhum or shifting cultivation |
| Important Permanent Farming | Wet-rice and terrace cultivation |
| Famous Indigenous System | Apatani wet-rice and rice-fish cultivation of Ziro Valley |
| Major Horticultural Crops | Kiwi, orange, apple, pineapple, banana and walnut |
| Important Spices | Ginger, turmeric, chilli and large cardamom |
| Major Limitation | Mountainous terrain and limited level cultivable land |
| Major Opportunities | Horticulture, organic farming, spices, millets, integrated farming and value addition |
Physical Basis of Agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh
Agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh is strongly controlled by physical geography. Most of the state consists of mountains, steep slopes and deeply dissected valleys, leaving relatively limited areas of flat cultivable land.
Agricultural land is therefore concentrated in:
- River valleys
- Intermontane valleys
- Terraced hill slopes
- Foothill belts
- Small alluvial plains
- Jhum fields on suitable hill slopes
ICAR describes the cultivated area as a very small proportion of the state's total geographical area, demonstrating how strongly rugged terrain restricts agricultural expansion.
Role of Climate
Heavy monsoon rainfall supplies abundant moisture for crops but also creates serious problems of erosion, nutrient loss, waterlogging and landslides.
Temperature changes rapidly with altitude. Consequently, warm-climate crops dominate lower valleys while temperate fruits and cool-season crops can be cultivated at higher elevations.
This reflects the broader climatic diversity of the region discussed in Climate of Northeast India .
Role of Soil
Many hill soils in Arunachal Pradesh are acidic and susceptible to nutrient loss under intense rainfall. Steep slopes also make them highly vulnerable to erosion when vegetation cover is removed.
Valley bottoms and alluvial surfaces generally offer better opportunities for permanent and more intensive cultivation.
Learn more about regional soil characteristics in Soils of Northeast India .
Major Farming Systems of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh does not have a single uniform agricultural system. Farming methods differ between ethnic communities, elevations, valleys and ecological zones.
The principal systems include:
- Jhum or shifting cultivation
- Wet-rice cultivation
- Terrace cultivation
- Apatani rice-fish farming
- Horticultural farming
- Home gardens
- Plantation and orchard farming
- Integrated crop-livestock farming
- Agroforestry
Jhum or Shifting Cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh
Jhum cultivation, also known as shifting cultivation, is one of the oldest traditional agricultural systems of Arunachal Pradesh.
It developed as an adaptation to rugged hill terrain where permanent plough agriculture is difficult because of steep slopes, shallow soils and limited flat land.
Jhum is not simply the cultivation of one crop. Traditionally, it is a mixed-cropping system in which several food crops are planted together or in close association within the same field.
How Does Jhum Cultivation Work?
The exact practice varies among communities and ecological zones, but a traditional jhum cycle broadly involves several stages.
1. Selection of the Jhum Field
A suitable hill slope is selected according to customary land-use practices, vegetation, soil condition, accessibility and community traditions.
2. Cutting of Vegetation
Existing shrubs, small trees and vegetation are cut during the relatively dry season.
3. Drying and Controlled Burning
Cut vegetation is allowed to dry before burning.
Ash temporarily adds readily available mineral nutrients to the upper soil and reduces weeds, although repeated cultivation without adequate fallow can rapidly exhaust soil fertility.
4. Sowing
Seeds are traditionally dibbled into the soil using simple hand tools rather than extensive ploughing.
5. Mixed Cropping
Several crops may be cultivated together so that households obtain cereals, vegetables, pulses, spices and tubers from the same agricultural plot.
6. Harvesting
Different crops mature at different times, allowing harvesting to continue over an extended period rather than occurring at one single date.
7. Fallow and Vegetation Regeneration
After cultivation, the plot is left fallow and farming shifts to another location. Secondary vegetation then begins to regenerate.
Traditional long fallow periods allowed greater recovery of soil fertility and vegetation. Where fallow cycles become too short, ecological recovery becomes incomplete.
Crops Grown in Jhum Fields
Jhum fields typically support considerable crop diversity.
Important crops may include:
- Upland rice
- Maize
- Finger millet
- Foxtail millet
- Job's tears
- Beans
- Pulses
- Sesame
- Ginger
- Chilli
- Sweet potato
- Yam
- Tapioca
- Banana
- Vegetables
Rice usually occupies an especially important position because it is the principal staple food across much of the state.
Advantages and Challenges of Jhum Cultivation
Traditional Advantages
- Adapted to steep hill slopes
- Requires relatively little mechanisation
- Supports mixed cropping and crop diversity
- Provides several foods from one plot
- Uses considerable indigenous ecological knowledge
- Historically functioned with longer forest-fallow cycles
Modern Challenges
- Shortening of fallow periods in some areas
- Soil erosion on exposed slopes
- Loss of soil nutrients
- Lower productivity under shortened cycles
- Difficulty in mechanisation
- Forest degradation when recovery periods become inadequate
- Increasing pressure on available land
It is therefore important to distinguish between traditional jhum with a long regenerative fallow and shortened, frequently repeated cultivation. Their environmental effects can be very different.
Permanent and Terrace Farming
Permanent cultivation is practised wherever topography and water availability permit. Valley bottoms, flatter terraces and gently sloping land are particularly suitable.
Permanent farming offers several advantages over repeated cultivation of steep hill slopes:
- Better irrigation
- Permanent field boundaries
- Improved soil management
- Greater scope for crop intensification
- Better access to farm inputs
- Possibility of integrated farming
Terrace Agriculture
Terracing modifies a hill slope into a series of relatively level agricultural surfaces. It can reduce runoff and soil erosion while allowing water to remain in fields for longer periods.
Terraces are particularly useful for rice, vegetables and other crops in mountain valleys where suitable slopes and water sources are available.
Apatani Wet-Rice and Rice-Fish Farming of Ziro Valley
One of the most distinctive agricultural systems of Arunachal Pradesh is the Apatani farming system of Ziro Valley.
Unlike shifting cultivation on surrounding hill slopes, the Apatani traditionally practise intensive and permanent wet-rice cultivation on the relatively flat valley floor.
A carefully organised network of channels diverts water from streams into cultivated fields. Water then moves through connected rice plots before eventually leaving the agricultural system.
Rice-Fish Integration
Fish may be reared within flooded paddy fields alongside rice, allowing the same agricultural land and water to provide more than one form of food.
The system is therefore an excellent example of integrated rice-fish farming.
Millet on Paddy Bunds
Finger millet can also be cultivated on elevated bunds between paddy plots, allowing farmers to make productive use of field boundaries.
Nutrient Recycling
Crop residues and organic materials are recycled within the farming system, contributing to the maintenance of soil fertility.
Watershed Management
Forests surrounding Ziro Valley play an important role in maintaining streams and water availability for the irrigated rice fields.
The Apatani system therefore demonstrates the close relationship between forest conservation, water management and agriculture.
Major Crops of Arunachal Pradesh
| Crop Group | Important Crops | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Cereals | Rice, maize, millets, wheat, buckwheat | Staple and food-security crops |
| Pulses | Beans and other pulses | Protein and soil-fertility contribution |
| Oilseeds | Mustard, sesame and other oilseeds | Edible oil and cash income |
| Spices | Ginger, turmeric, chilli, large cardamom | High-value commercial crops |
| Tubers | Potato, sweet potato, yam, tapioca and colocasia | Food and household security |
| Fruits | Kiwi, orange, apple, pineapple, banana, walnut | Important horticultural and commercial crops |
| Vegetables | Cabbage, cauliflower, beans, peas, tomato and local vegetables | Nutrition and market-oriented farming |
Rice Cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh
Rice is the dominant crop of Arunachal Pradesh and an important staple food. However, rice cultivation does not follow a single method.
It may be grown as:
- Upland rice in jhum fields
- Wet rice in valley bottoms
- Terrace rice on suitable hill slopes
- Irrigated rice in permanent fields
- Rice integrated with fish culture
Upland Rice
Upland rice is generally cultivated under rainfed conditions and forms an important component of traditional jhum agriculture.
Wet-Rice Cultivation
Wet rice is cultivated on relatively level or terraced land where water can be controlled and retained.
Such systems generally permit more permanent and intensive land use than shifting cultivation.
Maize, Millets & Other Cereals
Maize
Maize is an important food and feed crop and is widely grown in hill agriculture. It is particularly suitable for mixed cultivation and can be grown alongside several traditional crops.
Finger Millet
Finger millet is an important traditional cereal, especially in hill farming and jhum fields.
It is valued because of its adaptability to mountain conditions and its ability to provide grain under comparatively difficult environments.
Foxtail Millet and Other Traditional Millets
Traditional millet diversity contributes to food security and agricultural biodiversity. Interest in millet cultivation has increased because of their nutritional value and adaptation to rainfed environments.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is suited to cooler mountain environments and is particularly relevant to higher-elevation agriculture.
Pulses and Oilseeds
Pulses and beans are important components of mixed cropping systems and household diets. Leguminous crops also contribute biologically fixed nitrogen to agricultural soils.
Important oilseed crops include:
- Mustard
- Sesame
- Other locally suitable oilseeds
Diversification into pulses and oilseeds can reduce dependence on a single cereal crop and improve farm income and nutrition.
Spices, Tubers & Commercial Crops
Ginger
Ginger is one of Arunachal Pradesh's important high-value spice crops. The humid subtropical environment of many hill districts provides favourable conditions for its cultivation.
Turmeric
Turmeric is increasingly important as both a household spice and a commercial crop. It can be integrated into diversified hill farming systems.
Chilli
Different local forms of chilli are cultivated across the state and form an important component of local food traditions and household agriculture.
Large Cardamom
Cool and humid mountain areas provide suitable conditions for large cardamom in selected districts.
Potato and Other Tubers
Potato is important in cooler mountain environments, while sweet potato, yam, tapioca and colocasia contribute significantly to food security in many traditional agricultural systems.
Horticulture in Arunachal Pradesh
Horticulture represents one of the strongest opportunities for diversification of agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh.
The state's enormous variation in altitude allows both tropical and temperate fruits to be cultivated.
Kiwi
Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as an important kiwi-growing region of India. Lower Subansiri and parts of West Kameng and other suitable mid-altitude areas provide favourable conditions for kiwi cultivation.
Kiwi offers considerable potential for orchard farming, grading, cold-chain development, juice processing and other forms of value addition.
Mandarin Orange
Mandarin orange is among the best-known horticultural products of Arunachal Pradesh. Citrus orchards are suited to many lower and middle hill environments.
Apple
Apple cultivation is concentrated mainly in cooler highland districts such as West Kameng and Tawang where winter temperatures and elevation are more suitable for temperate horticulture.
Pineapple
Warm and humid lower and middle elevations provide favourable conditions for pineapple.
Banana
Banana is widely suited to lower, warmer parts of the state and forms an important household and market fruit crop.
Walnut and Other Temperate Fruits
Higher elevations support walnut and other temperate fruit crops, further demonstrating how strongly altitude influences agricultural specialization.
Altitudinal Agricultural Zones of Arunachal Pradesh
Agriculture changes vertically with altitude in much the same way as climate and natural vegetation.
| Agricultural Zone | General Environment | Typical Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Foothills & Valleys | Warm, humid and high rainfall | Rice, maize, banana, pineapple, citrus, ginger, turmeric and vegetables |
| Lower & Middle Hills | Humid subtropical mountain environment | Rice, maize, millets, pulses, orange, ginger and vegetables |
| Middle Highlands | Mild to cool | Kiwi, maize, millets, vegetables and suitable temperate fruits |
| Higher Mountain Valleys | Cool temperate | Apple, walnut, potato, buckwheat, barley and cool-season vegetables |
| Very High Elevations | Cold with short growing season | Limited cultivation; pastoral and livestock activities become more important |
These divisions are approximate. Local slope, rainfall, water availability, aspect and community farming traditions can modify agricultural patterns considerably.
Organic and Low-Input Agriculture
Arunachal Pradesh has considerable potential for organic and low-external-input agriculture.
The State Agriculture Department notes that a large proportion of crop production has traditionally taken place with limited use of synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals. This creates an important foundation for expanding certified organic farming.
However, traditional low-input farming and certified organic farming are not automatically the same thing. Certification requires specified standards, documentation, traceability and verification.
Potential organic products include:
- Kiwi
- Orange
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Millets
- Rice
- Vegetables
- Large cardamom
- Traditional local crops
Irrigation and Water Management
Arunachal Pradesh receives abundant rainfall, but rainfall alone does not guarantee dependable irrigation.
Steep slopes cause water to drain rapidly, while agricultural fields are often located far from easily accessible water sources.
Important water-management methods include:
- Diversion channels from mountain streams
- Small irrigation channels
- Terrace irrigation
- Water harvesting
- Farm ponds
- Watershed management
- Micro-irrigation for horticultural crops
Better rainwater harvesting is especially important because intense monsoon rainfall may be followed by periods when crops experience local moisture stress.
Integrated Farming Systems
Integrated farming combines crops with one or more allied activities so that resources can be reused efficiently within the farm.
Possible combinations include:
- Rice + fish
- Rice + fish + vegetables
- Crop + piggery
- Crop + poultry
- Horticulture + livestock
- Orchard + vegetable cultivation
- Crop + fishery + livestock
- Agroforestry + horticulture
Integrated farming is particularly suitable for small and marginal farms because waste from one activity can often become an input for another.
Livestock in the Farming Economy
Livestock forms an important part of rural livelihoods. Pigs, poultry, cattle and other domesticated animals provide food, manure and household income.
Mithun has special cultural and economic importance in Arunachal Pradesh and is strongly associated with several indigenous communities.
GI and Distinctive Agricultural Products of Arunachal Pradesh
Traditional agricultural diversity has also contributed to distinctive products associated with particular communities and regions.
Agricultural and food products associated with Arunachal Pradesh's GI landscape include:
- Arunachal Orange
- Khaw Tai / Khamti Rice
- Angnyat / Adlay / Tanyak Millet
- Traditional ginger and other locally distinctive agricultural products
Such products provide opportunities for geographical branding, premium markets, food processing, local entrepreneurship and agricultural tourism.
Relationship Between Agriculture and Forests
Agriculture and forests are closely connected in Arunachal Pradesh. Forests protect slopes, regulate streams, reduce erosion and support the watersheds supplying water to agricultural valleys.
This relationship is especially visible in Ziro Valley, where surrounding forested hills contribute to the watershed supporting permanent wet-rice cultivation.
The wider ecological importance of these landscapes can be understood through Forests and Natural Vegetation of Northeast India .
Major Problems of Agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh
1. Mountainous Terrain
Rugged relief greatly limits the amount of land suitable for large-scale permanent agriculture.
2. Small and Scattered Agricultural Fields
Cultivation is often divided into small plots separated by slopes, forests and river valleys, increasing transport and production costs.
3. Soil Erosion
Heavy monsoon rainfall falling on exposed hill slopes can remove fertile topsoil rapidly.
4. Soil Acidity
Acidic soils can reduce the availability of important plant nutrients and limit crop productivity unless appropriate soil-management techniques are used.
5. Rainfed Agriculture
Large areas depend strongly on seasonal rainfall rather than assured irrigation.
6. Limited Mechanisation
Steep slopes, small fields and difficult road access restrict the use of large agricultural machinery.
7. Transport and Market Access
Remote farming areas can face high transportation costs and difficulties reaching major markets.
8. Post-Harvest Loss
Fruits, vegetables and other perishable commodities require rapid transport, grading, storage and cold-chain facilities.
9. Shortened Jhum Cycles
Where fallow periods become too short, vegetation and soil may not recover adequately between cultivation cycles.
10. Climate and Natural Hazards
Heavy rainfall, landslides, floods, erosion and changing weather patterns can disrupt agricultural production and rural transport.
Agricultural Development and Future Potential
The future of agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh lies not simply in increasing cultivated area but in making existing agricultural land more productive, resilient and profitable.
1. Horticulture Development
Kiwi, mandarin orange, apple, walnut, pineapple, spices and vegetables provide strong opportunities for commercial diversification.
2. Food Processing
Local processing can reduce post-harvest losses and create greater value from fruits, spices and vegetables.
Potential products include:
- Fruit juice
- Fruit pulp
- Jam and jelly
- Pickles
- Dried fruits
- Processed ginger
- Turmeric powder
- Millet products
3. Organic Agriculture
Low-input traditional farming provides an opportunity to build certified organic supply chains where economically viable.
4. Millet and Traditional Crop Revival
Millets and other indigenous crops can contribute to nutrition, climate resilience and preservation of agricultural biodiversity.
5. Integrated Farming
Combining agriculture with fisheries, livestock, poultry and horticulture can improve resource efficiency and diversify household income.
6. Soil and Water Conservation
Watershed development, terracing, contour farming, vegetative barriers and rainwater harvesting can reduce erosion and improve farm resilience.
7. Improved Market Connectivity
Better roads, collection centres, farmer organisations, cold storage and digital marketing can help producers obtain better prices.
8. Agroforestry
Combining trees with agricultural crops can provide timber, bamboo, fruits, fodder and soil protection while maintaining ecological functions.
9. Agricultural Tourism
Traditional farming landscapes such as Ziro, fruit orchards, village farms and indigenous agricultural systems also provide opportunities for agro-tourism and educational tourism.
Current Agricultural Development Priorities
The Agriculture Department of Arunachal Pradesh currently lists programmes relating to food and nutritional security, irrigation, soil health, oilseeds, agroforestry, bamboo, rainfed-area development and agricultural extension.
State initiatives such as Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana also reflect the growing policy emphasis on commercialisation, farm income, market access and agricultural entrepreneurship.
The broader development direction is therefore moving toward a combination of:
- Traditional agricultural knowledge
- Improved crop varieties
- Better irrigation
- Horticultural diversification
- Organic agriculture
- Value addition
- Farmer organisations
- Processing and marketing
Agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh for APPSC & Competitive Exams
Principal Crop: Rice
Traditional Farming System: Jhum or shifting cultivation
Main Rice Systems: Upland rice, wet rice and terrace rice
Famous Indigenous Agricultural System: Apatani wet-rice and rice-fish farming of Ziro Valley
Important Cereals: Rice, maize and millets
Important Millets: Finger millet and foxtail millet
Important Spices: Ginger, turmeric, chilli and large cardamom
Major Horticultural Crops: Kiwi, orange, apple, pineapple, banana and walnut
Major Physical Constraint: Steep mountainous terrain
Important Soil Problem: Soil acidity and erosion
Main Source of Agricultural Water: Monsoon rainfall, supplemented locally by streams and irrigation channels
Major Agricultural Opportunity: Horticulture, organic farming, spices, integrated farming and value addition
Important Agricultural Landscape: Ziro Valley
Jhum Farming vs Permanent Farming
| Feature | Jhum Cultivation | Permanent Farming |
|---|---|---|
| Land Use | Field used temporarily before fallow | Same land cultivated repeatedly |
| Location | Mainly hill slopes | Valleys, terraces and suitable slopes |
| Cropping | Often mixed cropping | More specialised or intensive cropping possible |
| Irrigation | Usually rainfed | May use channels and controlled irrigation |
| Soil Conservation | Depends strongly on adequate fallow | Terracing and permanent soil management possible |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main crop of Arunachal Pradesh?
Rice is the principal crop of Arunachal Pradesh and the main staple food across much of the state.
What type of agriculture is practised in Arunachal Pradesh?
Agriculture includes jhum or shifting cultivation, wet-rice farming, terrace cultivation, horticulture, integrated farming, agroforestry and traditional rice-fish farming.
What is jhum cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh?
Jhum is a traditional shifting-cultivation system in which vegetation is cleared from a hill plot, crops are cultivated for a limited period and the land is subsequently left fallow so vegetation and soil fertility can recover.
Which crops are grown under jhum cultivation?
Upland rice is important, while maize, millets, beans, sesame, ginger, chilli, sweet potato, yam, banana and vegetables may also be cultivated.
What is the famous farming system of Ziro Valley?
Ziro Valley is famous for the Apatani wet-rice cultivation system, including integrated rice-fish farming supported by an extensive network of irrigation channels.
What are the major horticultural crops of Arunachal Pradesh?
Important horticultural crops include kiwi, mandarin orange, apple, pineapple, banana and walnut.
Which spices are grown in Arunachal Pradesh?
Important spices include ginger, turmeric, chilli and large cardamom.
Why is agriculture difficult in Arunachal Pradesh?
Agriculture is constrained by steep mountainous terrain, limited flat land, soil erosion, acidic soils, heavy rainfall, difficult transport and limited irrigation infrastructure in many remote areas.
Why does Arunachal Pradesh have good potential for horticulture?
The state's wide altitudinal and climatic range allows both tropical and temperate fruits to be grown within different ecological zones.
Is agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh organic?
Much traditional farming uses relatively few synthetic inputs, giving the state substantial potential for organic agriculture. However, low-input cultivation should not automatically be described as certified organic unless formal organic standards and certification requirements are met.
What are the major problems of jhum cultivation?
Jhum can become environmentally problematic when fallow periods are shortened because soils and secondary vegetation have insufficient time to recover. This may increase erosion, nutrient depletion and declining productivity.
Conclusion
The agriculture of Arunachal Pradesh reflects a remarkable adaptation of farming communities to one of India's most mountainous and ecologically diverse landscapes.
Traditional jhum cultivation remains an important feature of hill farming, while wet-rice cultivation, terrace agriculture and the famous Apatani rice-fish system of Ziro Valley demonstrate alternative forms of permanent and integrated land use.
Rice remains the principal food crop, but maize, millets, pulses, oilseeds, tubers, vegetables and spices contribute substantially to agricultural diversity. At the same time, kiwi, mandarin orange, apple, pineapple, walnut, ginger, turmeric and large cardamom provide growing opportunities for horticulture and commercial agriculture.
The long-term future of farming in Arunachal Pradesh depends on balancing traditional ecological knowledge with improved irrigation, soil conservation, horticulture, integrated farming, organic production, food processing, storage and better market access.
Rather than simply expanding cultivation into forested mountain landscapes, sustainable development requires increasing productivity and income from existing agricultural land while protecting the watersheds, soils and forests upon which agriculture itself depends.
Read More from AAMMNEST
Sources Consulted
- Department of Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Arunachal Pradesh State Gazetteer
- UNESCO – Apatani Cultural Landscape, Ziro Valley
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India