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The project “Mapping of Potential Areas for Wet Rice Cultivation in Mizoram using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System” was undertaken by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC), Science & Technology, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram, as an in-house study completed in July 2008. The project was initiated in response to Mizoram’s limited availability of level and gently sloping land, which constrains the expansion of wet rice cultivation in the State’s predominantly rugged and mountainous terrain. Its principal objective was to identify, delineate and quantify potential areas for wet rice cultivation across all eight districts and to generate supporting thematic maps on slope and land use/land cover for agricultural planning.The assessment used IRS-1D LISS-III satellite imagery with a spatial resolution of 23.5 metres, Survey of India topographic maps at 1:50,000 scale, ancillary departmental information and extensive field verification. Image registration and interpretation were undertaken using ERDAS Imagine, while digitization, spatial integration, analysis and map preparation were carried out in ARC/INFO GIS. Handheld GPS observations and information from Village Councils and local residents were used to verify uncertain or inaccessible locations. Areas with slopes between 0 and 25% were primarily classified as wet rice cultivation potential, while terrace cultivation was considered feasible up to approximately 33% slope, following ICAR recommendations. Most potential areas were associated with heavy soils having good water-retention capacity and pH values generally ranging from 4.5 to 5.8.The study identified a total of 746.44 sq. km of potential wet rice cultivation land, representing only 3.54% of Mizoram’s total geographical area of 21,087 sq. km. This confirms that suitable land is scarce and largely confined to river valleys, flood plains, foothills and narrow low-lying basins. Mamit District recorded the largest potential area at 201.82 sq. km, followed by Lunglei (127.97 sq. km) and Lawngtlai (114.05 sq. km). Kolasib contained the highest proportional availability, with 6.82% of its district area classified as potential, closely followed by Mamit at 6.67%. Aizawl District had the lowest potential, covering about 41.4 sq. km or 1.16% of its area. Important concentrations included the Teirei and Langkaih valleys in Mamit, Serlui and Chemlui valleys in Kolasib, Champhai Zawl and the Tiau–Tuipui systems in Champhai, Mat Zawlpui in Serchhip, and the Tuichawng–Chamdur region in Lawngtlai.The project produced district-wise and statewide maps, spatial databases and area statistics that provide a scientific baseline for irrigation development, land improvement, accessibility assessment and prioritization of field-level agricultural interventions. Overall, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS-supported verification for identifying scarce cultivable valleys and supporting evidence-based strategies to improve rice production and food security in Mizoram. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D – LISS III (2006)Thematic sub-category: AgricultureCollaborating/Funding Agency: Mizoram Remote Sensing Application CentreReport Publication Month/Year: July, 2008

The project “Village Level Passion Fruit Site Suitability Maps of Champhai and Kolasib Horticultural Circles, Mizoram State” was undertaken under the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North Eastern States to operationalize earlier passion fruit suitability analysis at village scale. Its main objective was to generate detailed, village-level maps showing sites suitable for purple and yellow passion fruit within current jhum areas, and to prioritize these sites for phased orchard expansion based on biophysical and accessibility criteria.​Focusing on Champhai (Khawzawl division) and Kolasib (Aizawl division) horticultural circles, the study translates remote sensing– and GIS-based suitability analysis into practical decision-support products for field implementation. Champhai, a high-elevation circle with 19 villages, already accounts for more than 80% of Mizoram’s passion fruit and grape area and is targeted for expansion of the indigenous purple variety. Kolasib, with 12 villages at comparatively lower elevation and gentler slopes, is earmarked for introducing the yellow variety, whose fruiting season complements that of the purple variety to enable near year-round supply.​Methodologically, the project builds on IRS-1D LISS-III imagery and DEM-derived terrain layers (elevation, slope, aspect) used earlier to map current jhum and compute a passion fruit site suitability index. Current jhum areas were delineated using their distinct spectral signatures, and each jhum patch was characterized in terms of terrain parameters. The passion fruit suitability index, derived from agronomic package of practices and calibrated using existing orchards, was applied to identify suitable patches, which were then further stratified as Priority I and Priority II based on cluster size and proximity to settlements, roads, and drainage. All results were compiled into village-level maps and tables for both circles.​Key outcomes show that in Champhai circle, a subset of the mapped current jhum (previously quantified at about 4,900–6,700 ha) is highly suitable for purple passion fruit, with approximately 600–630 ha identified as suitable and subdivided into higher-priority and secondary-priority clusters across villages such as Champhai–Tuipui, Selam–Lungphunlian, Hnahlan, and Mualkawi. In Kolasib circle, about 4,000 ha of current jhum were analyzed, and roughly one-third to half of this area was found suitable for yellow passion fruit, with prominent potential in villages such as Phainuam–Saiphai, Saikhawthlir–Bungthuam, Bairabi, Bilkhawthlir, and N. Thingdawl. These metrics confirm a significant, spatially clustered resource base for passion fruit-based horticultural expansion without further forest clearing.​The project demonstrates that combining IRS LISS-III data, DEM-based terrain analysis, and GIS at village boundary level can produce actionable maps for crop-specific land-use planning in complex hill environments. The resulting village atlases of Priority I and II sites provide a concrete framework for targeting orchard expansion, extension, and infrastructure investments (roads, water, processing) under the Technology Mission. In doing so, the work offers a replicable model for using remote sensing and GIS to guide the transition of jhum lands into sustainable, high-value horticulture in Mizoram and similar regions.Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D - LISS III & IRS WiFS (2002)Thematic sub-category: Horticulture Collaborating/Funding Agency: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India; Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad; Horticulture Department, Govt. of MizoramReport Publication Month/Year: May, 2003

The project “Identification and Prioritization of Suitable Sites for Passion Fruit using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in Aizawl District, Mizoram” was undertaken as a pilot initiative under the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States, with the goal of transforming current jhum lands into sustainable, high-value horticulture. The main objectives were to (i) map current jhum areas in the undivided Aizawl district, (ii) characterize them using terrain and accessibility parameters, (iii) develop site suitability indices for purple and yellow passion fruit, and (iv) prioritize suitable sites for phased horticultural development at village level.​The study focused on two contrasting horticultural circles. Champhai, in Khawzawl division, is a higher-elevation, steep terrain zone that already hosts most of Mizoram’s purple passion fruit and grape orchards. Kolasib, in Aizawl division, is relatively low-lying and gently sloping, dominated by arecanut and citrus, and was hypothesized to be suitable for yellow passion fruit. The wider context is a humid tropical hill state where about 70% of the population depends on agriculture, shifting cultivation remains widespread, and horticulture is a key strategy for livelihood enhancement and land degradation control.​Methodologically, the project integrated multi-temporal satellite remote sensing with terrain modelling and GIS-based spatial analysis. Multi-date IRS WiFS imagery (December–May) was used to identify the optimal seasonal “window” for detecting current jhum, while IRS-1D LISS-III data (23 m, green/red/NIR bands) from April–May 2002 supported detailed mapping of fresh jhum clearings, which appear as distinctive low-vegetation spectral classes. Digital elevation models generated from topographic contours and spot heights were used to derive elevation, slope and aspect layers, which were then combined with village, road, drainage and soil information in a GIS. Ground truth data from ~15 existing passion fruit orchards in Champhai were used to calibrate and validate a passion fruit growing index.​Key quantitative findings demonstrate both the scale of opportunity and the power of the methodology. Current jhum was mapped at about 6.29% of the district area, with circle-level values of roughly 5–8%, indicating substantial convertible land without further forest clearance. In Champhai, about 6,756 ha of current jhum were mapped. Terrain analysis showed that 77% of this area lies between ~900–1,500 m with slopes mostly below 20°. Applying the purple passion fruit suitability index identified roughly 634 ha (~9.4% of current jhum) as suitable, of which 234 ha were classed as Priority I (larger, contiguous clusters close to roads/settlements/water) and 400 ha as Priority II. In Kolasib, approximately 4,062 ha of current jhum were mapped, around 70% of which lies below 200 m with gentle slopes (<10°). Using a separate index for yellow passion fruit, about 1,951 ha (~48% of current jhum) were identified as suitable, with several villages showing individual suitable extents of 90–370 ha.​The study provides three important insights. First, remote sensing and GIS can robustly capture the highly dynamic jhumscape at appropriate spatial and temporal scales, allowing frequent updates critical for planning. Second, site-specific suitability indices that combine terrain and management knowledge can distinguish realistic horticulture expansion zones within jhum, avoiding overly steep or inaccessible patches. Third, the village-level suitability maps and statistics create an operational decision-support tool. They allow horticulture departments and planners to target extension, credit, infrastructure and processing investments to identified clusters, support gradual transition from shifting to settled cultivation, and dovetail with broader land use and town planning. In particular, the identified passion fruit belts in Champhai (purple variety) and Kolasib (yellow variety) support the concept of a near year-round passion fruit supply chain, with implications for local agro-processing, road prioritization and market infrastructure in and around Aizawl and secondary towns.Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D - LISS III & IRS WiFS (2002)Thematic sub-category: Horticulture Collaborating/Funding Agency: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India; Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad; Horticulture Department, Govt. of MizoramReport Publication Month/Year: March, 2003