Agriculture in Ladakh: A Step Towards Sustainable Mountain Development

The contribution of Ladakh to agriculture production at the national level is insignificant. Nonetheless, despite all odds, Ladakh is receiving a lot of attention. High light intensity, high UV radiation, cool temperature, and arid environment make the region ideal for growing high-quality niche crops. The synergy of teamwork displayed to make agriculture the primary growth engine for the region's development is exemplary. Ladakh will soon be the first organically certified Union Territory.

This book is the first comprehensive account of agriculture in Ladakh. It elucidates the topography and climate of Ladakh, the production of niche crops, organic farming initiatives, the receptiveness of farmers to new technology, key challenges, and the prospects of Ladakh as a research hub. This book interests researchers, students, progressive farmers, and other enthusiasts keen to know more about Ladakh.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Tsering Stobdan is a Ladakh-based agriculture scientist at the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research. His research has influenced agriculture policies, and his technological innovations have reached over 120 villages in Ladakh. He identified a native apricot as the world's unique and sweetest apricot that later became Ladakh's first GI tag product. The Ladakh Greenhouse technology he developed is popular among the farmers. He is a recipient of the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award for Outstanding Research in Tribal Farming Systems from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He is a fellow of the Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences.