The tribal societies of north-eastern India have wet rice cultivation as a land use activity, along with shifting agriculture (locally called `Jhum'), and the 'home gardens', which is an imitation of a forest but with economically important species. Wet rice cultivation is done a valley bottoms and sometimes on small terraces constructed at the base of the hill slopes all around; this results in a whole set of plots forming a sancer-shaped structure. The structure, organization and function of these agroecosystem types differ significantly depending upon social, cultural, economic and ecological setting in which this land use system is practiced. The Apatani version of wet rice cultivation is one of the most advanced. Even this offers opportunities for redevelopment, with additional scientific inputs. This paper considers the possibilities.