How Nagaland’s Ancient Farming Method Turns Floods Into Food
Nestled in the tranquil rain-shadowed folds of Nagaland’s Phek district lies Kikruma village. Here, the villagers practice a method of farming that has astounded agricultural enthusiasts for generations: Zabo farming.
Known locally as the Ruza system, this ancient farming practice holds the secret not only to overcoming monsoon flooding but to fostering a symbiotic relationship with nature. The system was developed by Nagaland’s Chakhesang tribe in Kikruma village. Evolved over 80-100 years, it ingeniously integrates farming and water management to conserve and use runoff water.
But how does this system, seemingly simple yet brilliantly executed, accomplish such feats?
The triple-tiered strategy
Traditionally, Zabo refers specifically to a small pit within a paddy field, often used for fish rearing. In contrast, Ruza denotes a much larger pond, typically around point two hectares in size, designed to store run-off water from the upper slopes.
The Ruza system is a triad of thriving forestry at hilltops, productive agriculture in the mid-section, and flourishing paddy fields below. The upper tier protects village forestland, maintaining biodiversity and water catchment. In the middle tier, the ponds and cattle yards synergise to nurture the fields below, which not only yield rice but also support fish rearing — a nutritious bonus that enriches the village’s resources.
(see figure) Schematic diagram of the Zabo farming system
Delving into Zabo: The art of water management
The Zabo system begins with capturing rainwater from hilltops and forests. This runoff is managed by gravity to flow through a carefully constructed network of small channels. These water channels, meandering through Kikruma’s landscape, are meticulously designed to guide the rainwater into strategically placed ponds on terraced hillsides.
But these aren’t just any ponds; they’re reservoirs carefully crafted with rammed earth. These ponds are dug out at different levels on terraced hillsides and are strategically located near fields to ease the process of irrigation.
The stored water is released slowly from the ponds for irrigation purposes. This gradual release controls water flow and prevents sudden surges, which could otherwise cause flooding.
The channels that supply the ponds have dual purposes — they collect not only the precious rainwater but also nutrients from cattle yards. As the water passes through these yards, it picks up animal dung and urine, crafting a natural fertiliser that fortifies the fertile paddy fields located at the hills’ base.
Interestingly, the ponds are also utilised for fish farming, providing an additional source of income and food for the villagers.
Zabo versus conventional farming
Zabo stands out strikingly when compared to modern monocropping or slash‑and‑burn systems:
Integrated productivity: Zabo blends forestry, horticulture, livestock, paddy, and fish farming in one ecosystem.
Natural fertilisation: Runoff channels transport cattle dung and urine directly to rice fields, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and enhancing soil fertility sustainably.
Water efficiency and erosion control: Rain capture in sealed rammed-earth ponds limits seepage, prevents flash floods, and preserves soils, unlike conventional methods that often result in erosion and nutrient loss.
Sustainability: Zabo relies entirely on passive water flow, without pumps or electricity. It preserves biodiversity, maintains medicinal plant diversity on pond bunds, and aligns with organic principles by minimising external inputs
Central to the success of Zabo farming is the community spirit that unites the people of Kikruma. Each family pitches in to build and maintain the water channels and ponds. This ensures that water is shared fairly, and both duties and benefits are distributed equally. This team effort turns the farming technique into a valued tradition that has been passed through generations.
As climate change brings unpredictable weather patterns, Zabo farming shows how smart ideas paired with sustainable practices can help tackle even the formidable challenges.
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