Adopt ‘trench farming’ to grow herbs, vegetables in Ladakh: Assocham

Farmers in the Union Territory of Ladakh should really be educated about alternatives to greenhouses, this kind of as lower tunnel know-how or trench farming, to help them cultivate herbs and veggies, a report by Assocham in association with Primus Companions has stated.

The report also recommends using up greenhouse cultivation of Indian and exotic veggies and flowers on a significant scale, launching “Ladakh Natural and organic Mission” and investing in infrastructure to tap the union territory’s complete possible in farming.

Trench farming could be thought of right up until the administration normally takes up the set up of professional greenhouses. “This know-how is not just lower-charge, but also transportable. The farmers have the capacity to relocate the tunnel to whatsoever place they want. In significant mountain destinations like Changthang, they might also be utilised to cultivate herbs and veggies,” the report stated.

Adopting Trench farming

Some farmers have adopted this method and are now expanding up to 28 different kinds of veggies, up from the previous ten. “This has not only permitted people today to make additional revenue from their agricultural items, but it has also ensured that the local community has obtain to a wide variety of wholesome veggies. Consequently, there is a have to have to have out capacity making activities to develop acceptance of this know-how. The administration, in collaboration with DRDO, can look at popularising this know-how in the area,” it stated.

Contacting for setting up at minimum a single or two greenhouses in every village, the report pointed to how Tibetan area farmers, who have related climatic circumstances, had tailored to greenhouses.

The study stated that the professional cultivation of Indian and exotic veggies and flowers can be taken up in significant greenhouses to meet up with regional desire and then offer to regional accommodations and military bases on a contractual foundation. Put up these developments, these deliver could be provided to the relaxation of the country at a top quality considering that India imports some of these veggies this kind of as broccoli and bell pepper.

Favourable local weather

It stated climatic circumstances were favourable for the improvement of significant-quality apricot and apple in the Union Territory, where significant-scale seabuckthorn cultivation has the possible to be a critical instrument for Ladakh’s cold desert’s extensive-phrase improvement.

Pointing out that recent principal processing of the seabuckthorn berry is remaining finished in Ladakh, the study stated many components this kind of as the pulp, seed and hull are marketed to corporations situated outside the house the area for more value-addition.

“There is an option for improvement of value-included items in this area. Hence, the govt needs to produce a favourable setting for the buyers through partial assistance in the type of subsidies, education and ability improvement on value-included items,” the Assocham report stated.

Incorporating value to items

The study stated wastage of apricot and apples — that are abundantly created through warm weather conditions and in reduce areas this kind of as Sham, Nubra and Kargil — was significant thanks to lousy industry linkages.

Consequently, the govt could take into account setting up processing units that will also employ women of all ages who could be organised into self-help groups to deliver jams, jellies, oil from the pulp of these fruits.

Similarly, native herbs and flowers which includes exotic species, this kind of as Geranium, can be employed to deliver aromatic and medicinal oils, natural tea, extracts for soaps and perfumes, scented candles and so forth, the report stated.

The pulp extraction services can deliver many value-included items from equally these fruits andseabuckthorn, aside from all-natural dyes that can be exported or employed by the domestic textiles industries.

The report stated Ladakh’s weather conditions circumstances were perfect for seed improvement of many vegetable crops. The Defence Institute of High Altitude Investigation (DIHAR) in Leh has created seed manufacturing units for a wide variety of temperate vegetable crops.

“Cabbage, onion, leek, beetroot, temperate radish, temperate carrot, turnip, swede, celery, and parsley are vegetable seed crops that can be created on sandy to weighty soils with more than enough water and nutrition. If supplied the suitable impetus, these have the possible of remaining exported and grown through the globe,” the Assocham report stated.

Heading natural

On the have to have to launch a “Ladakh Natural and organic Mission” with a vision of the subsequent five several years, the report stated this kind of a mission should really aim on earning Ladakh an natural licensed area, like Sikkim. Yet another part of this mission could aim on eco-pleasant packaging for the product or service, producing a one of a kind brand name image for its items.

The report termed for extra investment decision in infrastructure with private sector players coming forward to commit in important infrastructure for agriculture in the area that will have the capacity to change the sector.

“Solar-powered cold storage, mini foods parks, professional greenhouses and so forth. are all areas of important infrastructure that are the have to have of the hour for the sector. Placing up of tiny units with foods processing services will also produce additional careers for the locals,” it included.