Mizoram is a landlocked State characterized by steep, parallel forested hills, with exceptionally high biological diversity, making climate change adaptation critical for the State. The livelihood systems and food habits of the population have evolved around a shifting system of agriculture known as jhum , which is part of the local cultural heritage and identity of the State. However, this largely self sufficient system is now being disrupted, due to the shortening of jhum cycles, as a result of low productivity and increasing population, in addition to the high costs of clearing forests (for jhum cultivation) at an increased frequency. Changing climate patterns are further exacerbating these disruptive trends Against this background, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is supporting the Government of Mizoram through the Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the Northeast (FOCUS) project, to address the above mentioned issues. Through the current project, FAO provided technical assistance to the FOCUS project , in order to enhance the environmental sustainability and profitability of farming systems in Mizoram.