Success stories
Enhancing Crop Yield and Food Security in Mizoram through Winter Vegetables with FAO’s Green-Ag Farmer Field Schools
14/03/2025
Mizoram, a lush, hilly state in northeast India, has long been known for its vibrant biodiversity and unique agricultural practices. However, over the years, farming in the region has faced challenges due to unpredictable climatic conditions and changes in patterns in shifting cultivation, leading to soil degradation and reduced crop yield.
Growing winter vegetables provides an additional income source while reducing dependence on shifting cultivation (jhum). Crop diversification and water-efficient farming enhance climate resilience, while integrating agroforestry improves soil health and supports carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change.
Considering the above aspects and to strengthen food and nutrition security, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Green-Ag project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) trained local farmers on sustainable agriculture practices through the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to empower them with innovative and climate-resilient agricultural techniques while maintaining the ecological balance. The project is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram.
Promoting local winter vegetables through FFS
In 2024, the Green-Ag project conducted FFS across multiple villages in Mizoram to promote winter crops in the state. The team conducted 64 trainings through 21 FFS in 13 Green-Ag project villages, reaching out to 547 farmers, including 165 women. These FFS trainings included sessions on sustainable practices, including intercropping, bio-raised seedbeds, mulching, and bamboo biochar application.
Farmers preparing the land for sowing winter vegetables in Khwahnai village, Mamit district, Mizoram. © FAO
The winter vegetables promoted through these trainings included leafy mustard, Zorin beans, Lucerne, coriander, brinjal, garden peas, potatoes, and pigeon peas. One of the highlights of the initiative has been the introduction of potatoes as a main winter crop.
To encourage crop rotation with potatoes to improve soil health and reduce pest infestations, capacity-building inputs on organic and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to minimize disease risks were provided to the farmers. Drought-resistant and high-yielding indigenous potato varieties suitable for Mizoram’s agro-climatic conditions were procured. The project distributed 8 tons of potato seeds to 60 farmers. In total, 11.5 tons of winter vegetables were distributed in 2024 under this initiative
A woman farmer from Mamit district prepares the potato seeds for sowing. © FAO
Farmers trained through Green-Ag's FFS practices mixed cropping to promote a variety of winter vegetables in Marpara S village, Mamit district, Mizoram. © FAO
The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach provided hands-on learning, allowing farmers to experiment and adopt improved practices using locally available resources. It promoted participatory learning and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, including social media connectivity among farmers. This approach encouraged sustainable farming techniques by integrating organic methods, crop rotation, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring long-term soil health. Farmers developed problem-solving skills, enhancing their resilience to climate challenges while maintaining ecosystem balance. Additionally, it strengthened community networks, improving market access and overall agricultural sustainability.
Training on Sustainable Practices: Mulching and Bamboo Biochar
A major challenge for farmers in Mizoram is soil erosion and moisture loss, especially during the dry winter months. To combat this, the project promoted mulching as a simple yet effective method to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility. Farmers were encouraged to use locally available organic materials such as dried leaves, straw, and bamboo residue for mulching their vegetable plots. This practice has significantly reduced water stress and enhanced plant growth, and improved crop health, ultimately leading to higher yields.
Another innovative intervention has been the use of bamboo-based biochar, a sustainable solution for improving soil health. With bamboo growing abundantly in Mizoram, it serves as an excellent raw material for producing biochar—a carbon-rich soil amendment that boosts soil fertility and enhances carbon sequestration. This eco-friendly practice not only improves crop productivity but also supports long-term soil sustainability.
Organic mulching in Mizoram fields sets the stage for winter vegetable crops, protecting the soil from erosion and maintaining moisture level. © FAO
Farmers in FFS have been trained to produce and apply bamboo biochar, learning how it enhances soil structure, improves nutrient retention, and supports microbial activity. The integration of biochar into their farming practices has boosted crop productivity while promoting long-term soil health. Additionally, FFS, has equipped farmers with best practices in seed selection, spacing, irrigation management, and nutrient application, leading to higher yields and improved food security.
Farmers gather for hands-on FFS training in bamboo biochar production, improving soil quality and promoting eco-friendly farming methods under the Green-Ag project. © FAO
Impact and Way Forward
The adoption of climate-resilient practices is already delivering positive results. Farmers are seeing healthier crops, improved soil conditions and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers. Growing potatoes as a winter crop has created new income opportunities, enabling farmers to diversify their produce and access better markets. Additionally, mulching and biochar have strengthened the shift toward sustainable farming, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Potato-legume intercropping ready for harvest in Green-Ag’s Khwahnai village of Mamit district, Mizoram. © FAO
The Green-Ag project’s FFS model in Mizoram showcases the effectiveness of participatory learning and innovation in agriculture. By providing farmers with the right knowledge and resources, FAO is strengthening food security while building resilience against climate change. As more farmers embrace these practices, Mizoram’s agricultural is poised for a transformation—one that is productive, environmentally conscious and rooted in ecological balance.
Looking ahead, sustained investment in sustainable agriculture, knowledge-sharing platforms, and scaling up successful interventions will be key to maintaining Mizoram’s agricultural progress. With the right support and resources, farmers are well-positioned to lead the way in climate-resilient farming, paving the path for a greener, more prosperous future for the region.
