Changes in Traditional Agriculture Ecosystem in Rawain Valley of Uttarakhand State in India

Food, nutritional and livelihood securities for human beings remain the centre point of agricultural development. Being the cash crops, at present, vegetables attract grower’s attention more than the traditional food crops. This study aims to examine the changes in traditional cropping systems of the hilly villages in Uttarakhand state of India along with commercialization of vegetables and supply chain management. Two important vegetables, pea and tomato, were studied through questionnaire survey and focus group discussions. The findings reflect that though the recent innovations in traditional farming give monetary benefits, it has ecological and environmental ramifications. The high crop diversity as maintained by farmers in the past is now replaced by a few high yielding varieties and cash crops, which is prone to various pest attacks. The continuous use of pesticides does not only affect the crop productivity but impose negative impacts on the health of entire ecosystem and soil fertility. The heavy use of pesticides needs to be avoided in view of maintaining the health of ecosystem and environment.