Nestled in the tranquil rain-shadowed folds of Nagaland’s Phek district lies Kikruma village. Here, the villagers practice a method of farming that has astounded agricultural enthusiasts for generations: Zabo farming.

Known locally as the Ruza system, this ancient farming practice holds the secret not only to overcoming monsoon flooding but to fostering a symbiotic relationship with nature. The system was developed by Nagaland’s Chakhesang tribe in Kikruma village. Evolved over 80-100 years, it ingeniously integrates farming and water management to conserve and use runoff water.

But how does this system, seemingly simple yet brilliantly executed, accomplish such feats?

The triple-tiered strategy

Traditionally, Zabo refers specifically to a small pit within a paddy field, often used for fish rearing. In contrast, Ruza denotes a much larger pond, typically around point two hectares in size, designed to store run-off water from the upper slopes.

The Ruza system is a triad of thriving forestry at hilltops, productive agriculture in the mid-section, and flourishing paddy fields below. The upper tier protects village forestland, maintaining biodiversity and water catchment. In the middle tier,........

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