Mizoram

Mizoram is entirely mountainous state with close spaced inter-mountain valleys. The red and yellow soils are acidic and low in phosphorus. Maize is important crop with medium productivity and the cropping intensity is about 106%. Shifting cultivation (jhum) is a common practice in the hilly areas. Suggested interventions for natural resource management for agriculture in the state are as follows:

        � Liming and adequate fertilizer use in Aizawl region

        � Watershed management

        � Vermicomposting

        � Integrated farming system involving vegetables, pig and poultry

Maize

Area, under maize cultivation has increased significantly from 7,500 to 11,700 ha in the last decade. The production has increased due to increase in area (23,000 tonnes), but the productivity has declined from 2,093 to 1,940 kg/ha in the same period. The major constraints in production are growing of local land races, inadequate availability of quality seed. The major technological interventions are:

� Cultivation of high-yielding hybrids and improved composites like Shakti 1, RCM 11 and RCM 13,

   QPM Maize for green cobs; single cross hybrids (Vivek 9, Vivek 21) for grain

� Seed production of hybrids such as HQPM 1 in assured irrigated areas

� Growing of QPM maize quality feed to promote pig farming

Passion fruit

The productivity of passion fruit is 2 tonnes/ha. Mizoram is a potential state for growing passion fruit, which is gaining popularity due to its processing values and pleasant flavoured beverage. The productivity of passion fruit can be enhanced with the following improved technologies:

� Adoption of hybrid cultivar Kaveri

� Integrated nutrient and water management through fertigation

� Regulation of flowering through pruning

� Adoption of appropriate training system

Off-season vegetables

Production of tomato, brinjal, garden pea, cauliflower and cabbage is widely adopted by the farmers for higher returns in Mizoram. Protected cultivation of vegetables has vast potential. Area, production and productivity of different vegetables grown during off-season in Mizoram have increased considerably, however, there is scope to further increase the productivity with following technological interventions: