Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Aseeya Wahid, Ahmad Ali, Jagvir Dixit and Rakesh Mohan Shukla

Abstract:
The present study entitled "Present status and future prospectus of protected cultivation under the cold arid region of Ladakh" was carried out in districts Kargil and Leh. The cold arid zone of India is located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and is one of the driest regions in the world. The area remains inaccessible to the outside world for nearly six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. This fragile ecosystem with limited availability of natural resources is a growing attraction for tourists. Multienterprise option needs to be strengthened to uplift the socio-economic status of the region. Organic farming, protected cultivation, off-season vegetable production, value addition, and development of better storability methods for vegetables and fruits will be remunerative to the farmers of the cold arid region. The currently protected cultivation structures at Kargil are 489 and 933 tunnel-type poly house by the agriculture and horticulture department. The prospect of protected cultivation in Kargil has envisaged a boost in vegetable production, particularly during the off-season (winter), by way of popuarising protected cultivation through women's self-help group (Ama Choskpa).