Jhum is a type of farming system practiced predominantly by tribal farmers of North East India. The farmers who<br />practice such type of farming system are called as Jhumias. Therefore, prioritising the constraint in diversification<br />of livelihood as perceived by farmers is inevitable. To identify the constraints, 80 respondents from Watershed<br />Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Area and 160 respondents from Non-Watershed Development Project in<br />Shifting Cultivation Area were selected. The Garrett ranking technique was used to prioritise the constraints. Lack<br />of market access, Lack of transport subsidy for the products, Lack of proper road and absence of small scale<br />enterprises were the infrastructural constraint followed by lack of savings, lack of good market price of the produce,<br />unavailability of credit due to common property resources, lack of water resources in winter months were the<br />resource and economic constraints expressed by Jhumias. Primary activities not leaving enough time to pursue<br />diversification strategies, inadequate experience in expected livelihood, lack of role entrepreneur in my village, fear<br />of taking risk were the social constraints followed by less high yielding varieties in Jhum land, lack of organic weed<br />control method were the constraints highlighted by Jhumias. Common market place for cluster of villages, transport<br />subsidy for agricultural commodities, creating and showcasing role model and successful entrepreneur, developing<br />high yielding varieties for Jhum, popularising weed control strategies were the strategies recommended to alleviate<br />constraints to diversify livelihood so that pressure on Jhum and forest resources will reduce in future.

Keyword: Watershed; Shifting cultivation; Livelihood; Diversification; Constraint