HAFLONG, June 13 - Roikhumjing Hrangkhol, popularly known as Pajem, a self-motivated agriculturist of Lungkhok village of Haflong, has become an inspiration for many people.
Pajem has single-handedly turned a jhum cultivation plot of land into a horticulture garden. His plot of land spread over 20 bighas now produces very good quality of litchi, lemon, areca nut, bamboo, pomegranate, and various species of local vegetables etc.
Pajem said he has not received any government assistance till date, and criticised other farmers who make lame excuses like bad soil or no scope of agriculture just to escape from hard work and perseverance. This year, he said he harvested a good produce. His farm also has a fishery with a variety of fishes.
It may be mentioned here that more than 75 per cent of the population of Dima Hasao district solely depends on agriculture and horticulture. As there is a lack of plain land and the area is mostly a hilly terrain, people prefer to go for jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation with age-old primitive methods.
But of late, people have adopted new methods and shifting cultivation has been reduced to a great extent. People are more interested in horticulture, which fetches good amounts. Earlier, jhum produce was seen in the Haflong markets for only two months, but in the last three to four years, vegetables grown using other methods are available in the market for several months.
Pajem said that if the government comes forward to support such an endeavour in the field of horticulture, then there is every possibility in making the district self-reliant.
