around 65% of the population of the state depended on agriculture, the sector's contribution to the gsdp was only 19.84% during the same period and that of the industry was 20.20%. the economic survey indicated that 32% of the cultivated area was under jhum and only 20%t of the demand for rice could be met within the state while a total of 1,428,600 tonnes of rice was lifted by the state government from outside. more than 70% of the total population is engaged in some form of agriculture. the age-old practice of "jhum" is being discouraged by the state government with schemes like the new land use policy a policy to help farmers move away from the traditional slash-and-burn method of cultivation. recently, mizoram government has entered into a new venture wherein oil palm and jatropha cultivation, for biofuels is being promoted.