Unused jhum land can remain outside cultivation for years when farmers lack suitable crops, planting material or technical support. In Arunachal Pradesh, farmer Minjo Basar turned 0.2 hectare of old jhum land into an Assam lemon orchard after seeing strong local demand and receiving technical support from ICAR.
The farmer belongs to Gori-II village under Basar Circle. He had noticed that Assam lemon sold at good prices in the district because the fruit was transported from Assam. Its year-round fruiting and hardy nature also encouraged him to consider the crop as an alternative use for his unused land.
Basar approached the ICAR-AP Centre at Basar for technical guidance. The centre provided 200 Assam lemon saplings under the Tribal Sub-Plan and helped him establish the orchard on 0.2 hectare with plants spaced three metres apart. The orchard was managed using organic practices.
The farmer did not leave the space between young lemon plants unused. He introduced short-duration crops such as soybean and seasonal vegetables between the rows. This intercropping approach allowed him to earn from the land while the lemon plants were still developing and helped make better use of available space.
ICAR also trained Basar in managing pests and diseases through organic methods. This technical support was important because the farmer was moving into a crop he had not previously cultivated on the land. The guidance helped him establish the orchard while managing the crop according to recommended practices.
What Did the Orchard Earn?
The five-year-old orchard produced about 1,200 kg of Assam lemons in July 2026. Basar sold the fruit at the prevailing local market price of ₹30 per kg, generating a gross income of ₹36,000. The total production cost was ₹14,000, leaving him with a net income of ₹22,000.
The figures gave the orchard a benefit-cost ratio of 2.57. This means the income generated from the crop was more than twice the production cost used in ICAR’s calculation. The result also encouraged Basar to continue expanding his horticulture activities instead of leaving the old jhum land unused.
The first harvest is not the end of the story. The orchard is expected to produce more as the trees mature. Basar now plans to expand Assam lemon and acid lime cultivation to meet demand in the local market, with continued technical support from the ICAR-AP Centre.
For farmers, the example shows why market demand should be considered before selecting a horticultural crop. Basar noticed that lemons were being transported from Assam to meet local demand. That observation helped him identify an opportunity to produce the crop closer to the market instead.
Intercropping Can Provide Income Earlier
Fruit orchards can take several years to reach full production. During this period, farmers may have to spend money on plants, labour, manure, irrigation and crop protection without receiving significant returns from the main crop. Intercropping can help generate some income while perennial plants are still developing.
Basar used soybean and seasonal vegetables between lemon plants for this purpose. Short-duration crops can provide additional returns while making productive use of available land. Farmers considering a similar approach should first check whether the intercrop is compatible with the spacing, water needs and management requirements of the main orchard crop.
The choice of intercrop also needs to consider the local market. Growing a crop simply because it fits between orchard rows may not provide good returns if there is weak demand. Farmers should compare expected yield, input costs, labour requirements and nearby selling opportunities before selecting an intercrop.
Basar’s experience does not mean every farmer will earn the same amount from Assam lemon. Returns depend on plant age, yield, market price, production costs and local growing conditions. Farmers should calculate these factors for their own land before investing in an orchard or replacing an existing crop.
Access to planting material and technical advice also mattered in this case. Basar received saplings and training from an ICAR centre rather than starting without guidance. Farmers interested in new horticultural crops can approach their Krishi Vigyan Kendra, agriculture department or nearby research centre before planting.
Market access should be considered from the beginning. Basar identified demand before establishing his orchard, while the fruit was already entering his district from another state. Farmers can similarly check local wholesale markets, retailers and processors to understand what crops are in demand and what prices producers receive.
A Small Orchard Can Start a Bigger Plan
Basar’s story is based on just 0.2 hectare of land, but the model combines several useful decisions. He brought unused land back into production, selected a crop with local demand, used intercropping during the early orchard years and sought technical guidance before expanding the enterprise.
The experience also shows how horticulture can create opportunities from land that has limited current use. Instead of treating abandoned jhum land as permanently unproductive, farmers can assess whether suitable crops, planting material and market demand exist for bringing selected areas back under cultivation.
For farmers considering a new crop, the lesson is simple: start with the market, check whether the crop suits your land and seek technical guidance before planting. Basar’s Assam lemon orchard shows how these steps can turn unused land into an income-generating farm enterprise.
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