Vegetable Production Scenario in Trans-Himalayan Leh Ladakh Region, India

Abstract

<p>The high altitude trans-Himalayan Ladakh region remains cut-off for over six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. Long harsh winters reduce the cropping season to just four to five months in a year. Single-cropping is dominant and agriculture production is entirely based on irrigation. The average land holding is small and emphasis has been on minimal use of off-farm inputs. Meeting the fresh vegetable requirement of the burgeoning local population, defence forces and the incoming tourists in this remote mountainous area is a formidable challenge.Very few vegetable types were traditionally grown in Ladakh. Significant progress has been made since 1960s in promoting vegetable cultivation in the region. The vegetable production scenario and consumption choices have undergone drastic changes, compared to what was available some decades back. Agro-techniques and vegetable production calendar in Ladakh differs from lowland parts of the country. Vegetable farms are smaller with an average 0.2 acre. The area of vegetable production constitutes 5.5 per cent of the total 10,319 hectares of agricultural land in Leh district. The widely grown vegetables were potato (75.6 per cent), peas (10.7 per cent), onion (3.4 per cent), cabbage (3.3 per cent), carrot (2.0 per cent) and cauliflower (1.8 per cent). Preference for potato, onion, cabbage and carrot was largely contributed to the desired long term storage capacity for consumption during the landlocked winter months. Supply to the army and tourism industry is the major factor for rapid transformation of vegetable production in the region. Critical areas that need focused attention include technology for vegetable production in winter months, post harvest management, seed production, organic certification, area expansion, harnessing niches and building stronger linkages between growers and consumers.</p>

Growing Cauliflower in Winter under Passive Solar Greenhouse in Trans Himalayan Ladakh, India

“…The region remains cut-off from November-April due to heavy snowfall. The locally grown fresh vegetables are available only during summer months, and therefore, there are seasonal differences in intake of fresh vegetables 1 . The accessibility to fresh vegetables decreases significantly during winter season, which has resulted in an unbalanced diet.…”

Passive Solar Greenhouse for Round The Year Vegetable Cultivation in Trans Himalayan Ladakh Region, India

“…The region remains cut-off for over six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. Availability of locally grown fresh vegetables is restricted to summer months and therefore, there are seasonal differences in dietary intake of food 3 . The availability of fresh vegetable decreases significantly during the winter months, which has resulted in unbalanced diet.…”

Growing Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) under Low-input System in Arid trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

“…The climatic condition of arid trans-Himalayan region is ideal for production of cole and root crops, but has sub-optimal heat-units for field production of melons. The widely grown vegetables are potato (75.6 percent), peas (10.7 percent), onion (3.4 percent), cabbage (3.3 percent), carrot (2.0 percent) and cauliflower (1.8 percent) 4 . Muskmelon is rapidly gaining popularity in Ladakh region primarily due to growing tourism industry.…”