Abstract:

The Naga king chilli is regarded as one of the most significant spice crops cultivated in the state of Nagaland. Consequently, an effort has been undertaken to document the jhum practices of Naga king chilli from three districts: Peren, Dimapur, and Mon in Nagaland, utilizing a descriptive research design.  Two hundred fifty Naga king chilli farmers were selected using proportionate random selection. Primary data, or first-hand information, was acquired directly from the farmers via personal interviews facilitated by a pre-tested interview schedule; additional discussions and field surveys were incorporated.  The following practices were identified: 'slash and burn' of forest vegetation on steep hillsides; the construction of bamboo poles, fallen trees, and boulders across the slope to mitigate soil erosion; and the planting of colocasia, ginger, maize, millets, and jobs-tears along the borders and across the slope for soil and water management. Indigenous pest disease management practices encompass the utilization of ash, seed treatment with 'bastenga', and the intercropping of Naga king chilli with rice, which have proven effective against aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and whiteflies. These historic traditions possess adaptive and mitigating attributes and could be integrated with contemporary sustainable agricultural methods to tackle the issues of the modern world regarding efficiency, production, and sustainability.