SLRD Field Intervention
Northeast India
Integrated climate action across Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland — FPO strengthening, bamboo, aromatic herbs, biochar, essential oil value chains and climate resilient livelihood systems.
Northeast India is one of the most important focus regions for SLRD. The region has rich biodiversity, strong traditional community systems, large agroforestry potential and strong scope for aromatic herbs cultivation. At the same time, rural communities in the region face challenges linked to climate change, market access, infrastructure gaps, soil health, livelihood security and natural resource degradation.
SLRD’s work in Northeast India focuses on creating integrated livelihood and climate action models. These models combine sustainable agriculture, FPO strengthening, bamboo and agroforestry, aromatic herbs cultivation, essential oil production, biochar, biofertilisers, renewable energy, watershed development, biodiversity conservation and digital monitoring.
The objective is to build climate resilient rural economies where communities are able to improve income, protect natural resources and participate in emerging green value chains. The detailed Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland programmes are presented together below, so use the state navigation to move directly to any one of them.
The Northeast Model — Shared Focus Areas
Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health
SLRD promotes sustainable agriculture practices that reduce chemical dependency, improve soil health and increase farm resilience. The approach includes composting, biofertilisers, biochar based soil amendments, organic inputs, farmer training and climate adaptive crop planning.
FPO Based Livelihood Models
Farmer Producer Organisations are treated as important community anchors. SLRD supports FPOs in aggregation, value addition, business planning, project development, market linkage, banking documentation and enterprise management.
Agroforestry and Bamboo
Bamboo, native trees, fruit plants, medicinal plants and aromatic herbs are promoted as long term livelihood and climate assets. Agroforestry helps improve carbon sequestration, soil stability, biodiversity and farmer income.
Aromatic Herbs Cultivation
Aromatic herbs cultivation is promoted as a high value livelihood activity for farmers and FPOs. Crops such as lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa, vetiver, patchouli and other locally suitable aromatic species can be integrated with agroforestry, degraded land restoration and community enterprise models. These crops support essential oil production, create recurring income opportunities and improve the economic value of land.
Biochar and Biofertilisers
Biochar based interventions support carbon removal, soil carbon improvement and improved water retention. Biochar is also blended with compost and microbial inputs to create high quality biofertiliser products for regenerative agriculture.
Essential Oil Value Chains
Aromatic herbs are linked with essential oil distillation units to create local value addition. These units can be developed as FPO led enterprises where farmers cultivate aromatic crops, aggregate biomass and participate in processing and marketing.
Renewable Energy and Rural Enterprises
SLRD promotes renewable energy supported rural infrastructure such as solar pumps, solar cold storage, energy efficient processing units and clean thermal energy systems. This helps reduce costs and improves the viability of rural enterprises.
Watershed and Biodiversity Conservation
Watershed development, water harvesting, erosion control, biodiversity protection and landscape restoration are integrated into local development models.
Digital Monitoring and Carbon Readiness
SLRD integrates digital monitoring systems through YesEarth Eco Consulting to support geotagging, field records, plantation monitoring, carbon data, biomass tracking and impact reporting.
Northeast India • Assam
Assam
Assam is a major focus state for SLRD’s integrated climate and livelihood work. The state has strong potential for bamboo based livelihoods, agroforestry, aromatic herbs cultivation, biochar, essential oils, FPO development, renewable energy integration and community based carbon projects.
SLRD’s interventions in Assam are being developed across regions such as Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Udalguri and Darrang, with special focus on tribal communities, Farmer Producer Organisations and natural resource based rural enterprises.
The Assam model is designed as an integrated circular economy system where bamboo, agroforestry, aromatic herbs, essential oil distillation, biochar, biofertilisers, compost and renewable energy work together to create livelihoods and climate benefits.
Biochar and Biofertiliser Units
SLRD is promoting biochar and biofertiliser units using locally available biomass, especially bamboo and agricultural residues. Biochar produced from these units can be used for soil improvement, compost enrichment and carbon removal.
Bamboo and Agroforestry Development
Bamboo and agroforestry plantations are promoted to restore land, create biomass supply, improve carbon sequestration and build long term livelihood assets for rural communities.
Aromatic Herbs Cultivation
Aromatic herbs cultivation is promoted in Assam as an income generating activity that can be integrated with agroforestry and FPO based enterprise models. Suitable crops may include lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa, vetiver, patchouli and other location appropriate aromatic plants. These crops can provide farmers with regular income and supply raw material for essential oil distillation units.
Essential Oil Based Livelihoods
Aromatic crop cultivation and essential oil distillation units are being planned as FPO linked livelihood models. These can help farmers generate additional income while promoting productive and sustainable land use.
FPO Enterprise Support
SLRD supports FPOs in Assam through project planning, value addition, business development, capacity building, market linkage and bankable project preparation.
Watershed and Climate Resilience
Water conservation, soil moisture improvement, erosion control and landscape based planning are included to strengthen climate resilience and agricultural productivity.
Community Carbon Project Potential
Assam has strong potential for carbon projects through bamboo, agroforestry, aromatic herbs cultivation, biochar, composting and regenerative agriculture. SLRD works with YesEarth Eco Consulting to integrate digital MRV and carbon project development.
Expected Outcomes in Assam
| Area | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Farmer income | Improved income through agroforestry, aromatic herbs, essential oils and value addition |
| Soil health | Better soil carbon, water retention and fertility |
| Climate action | Carbon removal through biochar and sequestration through agroforestry |
| Livelihoods | Local employment through rural processing units and FPO enterprises |
| Biodiversity | Restoration of degraded landscapes and promotion of useful species |
| Water security | Improved water conservation and watershed resilience |
| Local enterprise | Essential oil and aromatic herbs value chains developed through FPOs |
Northeast India • Meghalaya
Meghalaya
Meghalaya is an important state for SLRD’s work in sustainable agriculture, FPO engagement, renewable energy, organic farming, aromatic herbs cultivation, climate resilience and community based natural resource management.
SLRD has worked in areas such as Ri Bhoi, supporting farmers, FPOs and community institutions through sustainable agriculture, improved farming practices, renewable energy linked livelihood infrastructure and climate adaptive development models.
The Meghalaya interventions focus on improving farm productivity, strengthening local institutions, promoting organic and natural farming, cultivating aromatic herbs, supporting renewable energy access and developing carbon ready community projects.
Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Training
SLRD supports farmers in adopting improved agricultural practices, organic inputs, composting, biofertilisers, soil health improvement and climate adaptive farming systems.
FPO and Community Institution Support
Farmer Producer Organisations and community institutions are supported through capacity building, governance strengthening, project planning, enterprise development and market linkage.
Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihoods
Renewable energy solutions such as solar pumps, solar cold storage and solar supported infrastructure are promoted to support irrigation, storage, value addition and rural enterprise development.
Organic and Natural Farming
Meghalaya has strong potential for organic farming. SLRD supports chemical free agriculture, natural inputs, soil health improvement and market readiness for organic produce.
Agroforestry and Biodiversity Conservation
Agroforestry models are promoted using native species, fruit trees, bamboo, aromatic herbs and locally suitable crops. These interventions support biodiversity, land restoration and livelihood security.
Aromatic Herbs Cultivation
Aromatic herbs cultivation can become an important livelihood opportunity in Meghalaya due to the state’s favourable agro climatic conditions in many locations. Crops such as lemongrass, citronella, patchouli, vetiver and other suitable herbs can be promoted through farmer groups and FPOs. These crops can support essential oil production, reduce risk through crop diversification and create additional income for small farmers.
Essential Oil and Value Addition
Aromatic herbs can be linked with local distillation units to produce essential oils. These units can create rural employment, support FPO enterprises and improve the value realised by farmers.
Water and Watershed Development
Water conservation, watershed planning, soil moisture improvement and community water systems are important components of SLRD’s Meghalaya approach.
Carbon Ready Community Projects
Agroforestry, aromatic herbs cultivation, sustainable agriculture, biochar and soil carbon improvement create opportunities for community led carbon projects in Meghalaya.
Expected Outcomes in Meghalaya
| Area | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Sustainable farming | Increased adoption of natural and improved farming practices |
| FPO strengthening | Better capacity of farmer institutions |
| Renewable energy | Clean energy support for irrigation, storage and processing |
| Climate resilience | Improved preparedness for climate variability |
| Biodiversity | Protection and restoration of local ecosystems |
| Farmer income | Higher income through aromatic herbs, value addition and market linkage |
| Carbon benefits | Scope for agroforestry and soil carbon based projects |
Northeast India • Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland has strong potential for community based climate action, bamboo based livelihoods, agroforestry, aromatic herbs cultivation, essential oils, biochar, biofertilisers and FPO led rural enterprises.
SLRD’s work in Nagaland is linked with areas such as Mokokchung, Tuli and Ungma, where rural communities and FPOs can play a central role in developing climate smart livelihood systems.
The Nagaland model combines agroforestry, bamboo, aromatic herbs cultivation, biochar, compost, essential oils, renewable energy and digital monitoring into an integrated rural enterprise framework.
FPO Led Rural Industrialisation
FPOs are supported as enterprise platforms for plantation development, biomass aggregation, processing, value addition and market linkage.
Biochar and Biofertiliser Units
Biochar units are planned to use sustainable biomass and bamboo resources. The biochar can be used for soil improvement, compost enrichment, biofertiliser production and carbon removal.
Bamboo and Agroforestry Systems
Bamboo and agroforestry are promoted as long term livelihood and climate assets. These systems support biomass supply, land restoration, carbon sequestration and biodiversity improvement.
Aromatic Herbs Cultivation
Aromatic herbs cultivation is promoted in Nagaland as a suitable livelihood activity that can be integrated with FPO led rural enterprises. Crops such as lemongrass, citronella, patchouli, palmarosa, vetiver and other location specific herbs can create additional income for farmers and provide raw material for essential oil distillation units.
Essential Oils and Aromatic Crops
Aromatic crop cultivation can provide additional income to farmers. Essential oil distillation units linked with FPOs can create local value addition and market oriented rural enterprises.
Composting and Soil Health
Compost and biochar based soil amendments help restore fertility, improve water retention and reduce dependency on chemical fertilisers.
Community Carbon Projects
Nagaland has strong potential for community led carbon projects through bamboo, agroforestry, aromatic herbs cultivation, biochar, composting and sustainable land management.
Renewable Energy and Efficient Processing
Renewable energy and energy efficient processing systems are integrated to reduce operating costs and improve enterprise sustainability.
Expected Outcomes in Nagaland
| Area | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| FPO development | Stronger farmer institutions and community enterprises |
| Biochar production | Soil improvement and carbon removal |
| Agroforestry | Long term livelihood assets and carbon sequestration |
| Aromatic herbs | Additional income through cultivation and essential oil value chains |
| Soil health | Improved fertility through compost and biochar |
| Employment | Jobs in plantation, herbs cultivation, biomass collection and processing |
| Climate impact | Community led carbon benefits |