Traditional Manipuri Yum Ingkhol provides model for natural farming

Traditional Manipuri Yum Ingkhol serves as a foundational model for natural and organic farming in Manipur and North East India. These self-regulating ecosystems utilize local natural resources to produce high yields with minimal physical intervention and no chemical inputs.

A traditional Manipuri house, or Yumjao, is designed with a homestead compound known as a Yumpham. A central component is the Ingkhol, a household kitchen garden located at the backyard or sides of the home. This garden provides food security by offering a daily harvest of organic ingredients.

The garden features a variety of flora, including perennial trees, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic herbs such as Chinese chives, lemon basil, and mint. Common vegetables include stink beans, roselle leaves, pumpkins, and chilies. Sustainability is maintained through traditional methods, such as the Shamban, a live fence made of intertwined bamboo or thick shrubs.