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Review
. 2021;30(3):551-574.
doi: 10.1007/s10531-021-02123-9. Epub 2021 Jan 27.

Mainstreaming Barahnaja cultivation for food and nutritional security in the Himalayan region

Kavita Gururani  1 , Salej Sood  2 , Anil Kumar  3 , Dinesh C Joshi  4 , Dinesh Pandey  1 , A R Sharma  3
Affiliations
Review

Mainstreaming Barahnaja cultivation for food and nutritional security in the Himalayan region

Kavita Gururani et al. Biodivers Conserv. 2021.

Abstract

Selective production of input intensive crops in the present scenario have resulted in productivity stagnation or even decline due to excessive usage of chemicals, affecting the farmers economically. Sustainable agriculture is the way to increase agricultural productivity and economic prosperity by protecting all natural resources. It maintains a balance of soil fertility with crop productivity and nutritional quality. The mixed cropping systems followed earlier in different regions according to their tradition, climatic zone, soil and water conditions were climate-smart approaches to sustainable food production based on practical experiences over the years of old generations. The life style changes, imbalance in farming system in last 70 years and demand for more food as well as declining land resources resulted in intensive agriculture. Besides, least returns and less demand of ethnic crops gave more preference to major staple food crops. Barahnaja is a traditional orphan crops based mixed cropping system practiced in Himalayan region due to its sustainability and assured crop harvest during erratic weather conditions. This traditional farming method is an exemplary scientific approach to derive innovations with respect to productivity, quality, plant soil interactions and organic agriculture. The main focus of the review is to substantiate the characteristics of the traditional mixed cropping system by describing the advantages of the system and opportunities for scientific innovation towards new knowledge and sustainability.

Keywords: Barahnaja; Food security; Mixed cropping; Organic agriculture; Rhizosphere biology; Sustainable agriculture.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Baranhnaja system of cultivation in hills a Mixed cultivation of diverse crops b Turmeric (spice), c Cowpea d Ricebean e Ginger (spice), f Bhat (Black Soybean) and g Cannabis plant supporting the Bhat and Cowpea
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Barahnaja mixed cropping system-An approach to sustainable agriculture
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Biennial cropping system in Uttarakhand hills, India
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Plant-bacteria communication to modulate root system architecture and interfere with bacterial quorum-sensing. Bacteria produces AHLs (N-Acetyl Homoserine Lactones) i.e. a N-octanoyl-HL b N-decanoyl-HL c N-3-oxodecanoyl-HL d N-dodecanoyl-HL, and Plant produces signal molecules i.e. e N-isobutil decanamide f N-isobutyl-2E,6Z,8E-decatrienamide (Affinin) g N-ethanol decanamide. Plants alter their morphogenesis or activate defense and stress-related pathways to modulate growth in response to VOCs produced by microorganisms
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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