Patterns of rural community livelihood and local knowledge modelled on Socioecological Production Landscapes in the agro‑ecological Zones of the Brahmaputra Valley of the Assam Plain, India

Abstract

Rural livelihoods are inherently vulnerable to a variety of shocks and stresses, which particularly affect households residing in hazard-prone regions, such as the Brahmaputra Valley of the Assam Plain, India. Agriculture plays a vital role in the Brahmaputra Valley, serving as the primary means of subsistence. The study investigated agricultural productivity and the effects of fertiliser consumption, irrigation area and rainfall variability across three agroecological zones, revealing disparities within and between the zones. Farmers in the area have expressed greater concern about the negative impact of human activities than climate change. It is crucial to recognise the significance of education, particularly among farmers, to comprehend and implement new agricultural techniques, such as the adoption of modern crop varieties, fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides and land management methods.
The study also evaluated the diversified patterns of rural livelihood through an assessment of the livelihood base, livelihood capital, livelihood assets and livelihood sustainability in three agroecological zones. The study found a short-term impact of COVID‑19 on the social, economic and environmental aspects of rural livelihoods in the Brahmaputra Valley. Despite the brief duration of the pandemic, it instilled a sense of preparedness in rural inhabitants to brace for the potential consequences of future pandemics.
Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes (SEPLs) scorecards were used to assess local knowledge of the resilience of ecosystem protection and biodiversity maintenance, agricultural biodiversity, knowledge learning and innovation, and social equity and infrastructure. Addressing the multifaceted challenges that exist requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach to promote sustainable livelihood practices, enhance resilience and protect the livelihoods of rural communities in the Brahmaputra Valley.
To begin to address these challenges and opportunities, the thesis addresses the following questions: (1) What is the general trend in agricultural productivity (2008-2019), and how does it respond to the use of fertilisers and irrigation, and variations in rainfall in the primary livelihoods of rural communities in the Brahmaputra Valley? (2) What livelihood patterns operate across the key criteria of the livelihood base, capital, livelihood strategies and livelihood sustainability? (3) To what extent has the COVID‑19 pandemic had a distinct impact on rural livelihoods, and what specific effects have been witnessed within the community? (4) Can the use of the Socio- Ecological Production Landscapes (SEPLs) as a methodological approach provide a more complete understanding of the local knowledge of resilience in the agroecological zones of the Brahmaputra Valley?

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Supervisor	Michael JASPER (Supervisor), Charles LEMCKERT (Supervisor) & Milica MUMINOVIC (Supervisor)