Since the planned economic development, the economy of Assam, which is predominantly agricultural in nature, continues to be characterised by the existence of large number of subsistence farmers, for whom cultivation alone in regular fields cannot provide adequate sustenance. In addition, monocropping being the usual practice, such regular field cultivations are seasonal in character, which give rise to the problem of underemployment. On account of the basic structural differences and a host of other deterrent factors, including sociological, these subsistence farmers do not find it possible to supplement their farm income substantially from non-farming sources like industrial employment and non- agricultural wage earning etc. by migrating to urban centres. Therefore, these farmers are practically left with no alternative. But to make a more intensive utilization of their homestead (inclusive of orchard) for supplementing their family income from regular field cultivation, which is called agriculture (proper). There are concrete reasons for this. Besides providing substantial income, activities connected with homestead (and orchard) like raising of vegetables, spices, fruits and nuts, rearing of livestock and poultry, weaving etc. open out additional avenues for utilising manpower surplus in agriculture (proper). The same assets including implements which are primarily used in regular field cultivation may be utilised in different homestead enterprises. This prevents the farmers from incurring any additional expenditure on assets including implements connected with the utilization of their homestead (and orchard).