Author:
Norbu Jamchu Thongdok, Vishwambhar Prasad Sati, Vikrant Kumar

Doi: 10.26480/fabm.01.2025.26.34

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

The role of cash crops in livelihood enhancement in the mountainous areas of the Arunachal Himalaya is prominent due to declining production and productivity of the traditional crops. This study examines the role of cash crops in the socio-economic conditions of marginal farmers and how they can enhance livelihood sustainability. A purposive random sampling method was employed and a field-level survey was conducted. The per-capita production (PCP) of crops and farmers’ per-capita income (PCI) were calculated. Multiple Regression Correlation (R2) was applied to examine the relationship between elevation and crops in varying altitudinal zones. The results show a positive correlation (P=value); elevation with P=value of 0.098; tomato at P=0.501; potato at P=0.744; cabbage at P=0.422; green beans at P=0.221; chilies at P=0.664; and cereals at P=0.664. The study reveals that the modern farming system of cultivating cash crops has enhanced the socio-economic conditions of the farmers, and improved livelihood sustainability. This study suggests that more arable land can be devoted to cash crops, using organic manure, and providing adequate markets and irrigation facilities, which will lead to high productivity of crops. Subsidies to farmers for purchasing seeds and compensating during crop failure will enhance livelihood sustainability.