Empirical Evidence for Shifting Cultivation’s Role in Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Manipur, Northeast India

Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) is pivotal in enhancing food security and nutritional well-being and preserving governance systems and cultural practices within indigenous communities. Despite its significance, the literature on food sovereignty practices within Indian tribal communities and strategies for bolstering them remains limited. The present study draws upon primary data collected from 97 households in Manipur, Northeast India to address this gap. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach and systematically investigates the intricate dynamics of shifting cultivation (SC), agrobiodiversity and their collective contributions to IFS. Empirical findings underscore that SC provides culturally relevant food resources, thereby amplifying dietary diversity and contributing significantly to IFS. The indigenous SC system in the present study site encompasses 32 crop species and 4 local livestock breeds, featuring numerous landraces that ensure nutritional security and preserve food culture. Integrating wild edible plants from forests and fallow lands supplements the traditional food basket, reinforcing indigenous food culture and promoting biodiversity conservation. This study emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between SC-based agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity and highlights their critical role in fortifying IFS resilience, particularly in the context of climate change.