Tura Mela Highlights Shift from Jhum to Natural Farming for Garo Hills Farmers

The annual Tura Mela, held in the town of Tura in Meghalaya's Garo Hills, this year placed local agriculture at the forefront, featuring a dedicated segment on the transition from traditional jhum cultivation to natural farming methods.
Organisers invited farmers, agricultural experts and NGOs to demonstrate organic inputs, seed preservation and soil‑health techniques, aiming to reduce reliance on shifting cultivation that has long shaped the region's landscape.
The exhibition included stalls where farmers displayed produce grown without synthetic chemicals, and workshops explained the benefits of natural farming for yield stability and environmental conservation.
State officials highlighted the mela as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in Meghalaya, urging the farming community to adopt eco‑friendly practices that can improve livelihoods.
Attendees responded positively, noting increased interest among younger farmers to move away from jhum and adopt natural farming as a viable alternative.