Agriculture and food processing
Ladakhi agriculture is primarily subsistent in nature but unique and representative of the Tibetan plateau farming system. Until recently, Ladakhis grew and consumed their own grains, cereals and vegetables, prepared their own manure, seeds and other agricultural inputs, reared their own animals and prepared their own farms in an integrated and balanced manner as a response to Ladakh’s agro climatic conditions.
However, low cropping intensity, less productivity and a short agriculture season has resulted in the dependence of its growing population on import of food grains, vegetables and spices. Besides, as Ladakh opens to the world, its traditional agricultural system and crops face severe disruptions. Agriculture has now taken a back seat to the rapid growth of tourism in the region. Nonetheless, there is a huge potential for agriculture in Ladakh, despite its high altitude and arid climate. Ladakh grows niche crops, both agricultural and horticultural, which with an appropriate value added and proper marketing can herald a green revolution of its own sort in this region. Focusing on vegetable production in winters and using cost effective technologies, so as to tap the local market in the prolonged winter season can prove to be very beneficial to local farmers.
LEDeG has committed itself to promote advanced agricultural techniques, based on traditional methods of agriculture, for achieving agricultural self sufficiency of the region of Ladakh, for over two and a half decades now. LEDeG has achieved, through all its years of experience, a level of expertise in the following:
- Diversification of Ladakh’s agricultural base, so as to minimise the risk of a single crop failure.
- Introduction and domestication of high yielding crop varieties.
- Motivating and supporting farmers to adopt the appropriate technologies so as to increase production.
- Promoting the horticultural sector in the region.
- Value addition and marketing of agricultural products.
- Organic farming and seed production.
- Dissemination of technical knowledge of agricultural extension through trainings, workshops and meetings.