Despite intensive and lengthy government efforts throughout the eastern Himalayan region to stop shifting cultivation, the practice has remained entrenched over large areas. Recognising this, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development and joined by partners in five eastern Himalayan countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Nepal), designed a new initiative based on the idea that shifting cultivation must make some sense if hundreds of millions of farmers continue to practise it despite all incentives to stop. The study was designed to take a fresh and unbiased look at the practice, and especially at innovations introduced by farmers in response to modern pressures and restraints. The hope was to find innovations that would help resolve the current situation in which outside development and policy interventions are not taking effect, while the practice of shifting cultivation is deteriorating as a result of the limitations imposed on it. The aim was to raise awareness about issues related to shifting cultivation, to establish a platform for exchange of ideas, and to develop detailed policy recommendations to support the work of governments. 20 case studies on farmer innovations in shifting cultivation were completed in the five countries, and analysed for policy lessons. The findings were discussed at the ‘Shifting Cultivation Regional Policy Dialogue Workshop for the eastern Himalayas’ in 2004, and concrete policy recommendations were formulated. This work was published in a document addressed to policy makers, titled “Debating Shifting in the Eastern Himalayas: Farmer innovations as Lessons for Policy”. The proposed presentation is based on this publication.
